NBA Power Rankings: The 15 Most Explosive Players in the NBA
One of the reasons that the NBA is one of the most exciting sports leagues to watch is that it has some of the best athletes.
Unlike the NFL or MLB, one doesn’t see too many overweight players in the NBA. Most players can run quickly, jump high and have incredible stamina.
But some of the players that stand out are the most explosive players in the league.
In regards to an NBA player, the term “explosive” can take on many meanings.
In this article, being explosive means having the ability to blow past opponents. It also means being able to put on a highlight show that can get the crowd going and help change the momentum of the game.
Finally, an explosive player can also get on a hot shooting streak that ignites his team and leads them to victory.
Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Julius Erving and Elgin Baylor are just some of the players in past years that rank among the NBA’s most explosive players of all-time.
In today’s league, the most explosive players are a primarily young group. They represent some of the most exciting players to watch and the future of the NBA.
15. Jrue Holiday
1 of 15After playing one season at basketball powerhouse UCLA and teaming with Darren Collison in the backcourt, Jrue Holiday was taken by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 17th pick in the 2009 draft.
Since he became the team’s starting point guard in March of last year, Holiday has been rising quickly up the ranks of the greatest NBA players in today’s game.
Thus far in January, Holiday is averaging 18.0 points and 8.3 assists.
But what sets him apart from other young players is his ability to create shots, especially around the rim. Combined with his athletic ability, Holiday can easily get his home crowd roaring with routine plays.
For a franchise that desperately needs to rebound, Holiday is a nice piece to rebuild around.
14. Derrick Rose
2 of 15Following the Bulls dynasty years in the 1990s, the city of Chicago anguished over many poor seasons. After more than a decade since the team’s last championship, the Bulls may finally be a legitimate contender.
And the main reason behind this surge is Derrick Rose. One of the quickest players in the NBA, Rose has an innate ability to speed by his defenders and finish near the basket. His incredible driving ability has contributed to his relatively-high field-goal percentages (for a guard).
His 40-inch vertical leap helps Rose make up for his relatively small (6’3”) size in being able to create. As one of the NBA’s preeminent scorers, the Windy City now has the most exciting basketball product since Michael Jordan.
13. Rajon Rondo
3 of 15It used to be that the core of the recent Boston Celtics teams consisted of the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen.
Over the last couple of seasons, Rajon Rondo has likely surpassed those three and become the best player on that team.
While he may not be the greatest scorer or shooter in the NBA, Rondo is one of the most creative players, leading the NBA with an astonishing average of 13.4 assists per game.
As one of the quickest players on the hardwood, Rondo can blow by any defender. While his creativity shows in some close-up shots, it truly shines when Rondo runs the Celtics offense.
Simply put, Rondo is the catalyst of Boston’s team. When he was out for a few games recently, the team was much less dominant with Rondo absent.
Perhaps a legend in the making, Rondo provides the spark that Celtics fans desire.
12. Kevin Durant
4 of 15After a relatively slow start to the season with low shooting percentages, Kevin Durant has been playing excellent ball the past month. Once again, he is leading the NBA in scoring.
Listed at 6’9”, Durant is probably closer to 6’11”, which makes his quickness and creativity with the ball even more amazing.
Yet, when he gets on a hot shooting streak, Durant can play like one of the most dominant players of all-time. When he is knocking down outside shots, defenders have to cover him out to the three-point line. That is when he is most effective at racing past defenders and driving towards the basket.
Oklahoma City Arena may have one of the loudest home crowds in the NBA and clearly Kevin Durant gives those fans plenty to cheer about.
11. JaVale McGee
5 of 15In his third season in the NBA, JaVale McGee is having a breakout season.
Thus far, McGee ranks second in the league in blocked shots, averaging 2.6 blocks per game.
While he isn’t one of the leading scorers in the NBA, JaVale McGee is one of the most exciting players in the league. His acrobatics, exciting dunks and swats at shots can be momentum-changing plays.
Quite possibly the most athletic center in the NBA, McGee is a bright spot for a franchise looking to move past the Arenas controversy.
10. Carmelo Anthony
6 of 15Carmelo Anthony may be the biggest subject of current trade talks, but that is a testament to his incredible basketball talent.
An exciting player to watch with his 41-inch vertical leap, Anthony has one of the most consistent contested mid-range jump shots.
In addition, Anthony is one of the best clutch players, with his abundance of moves and quick first step. Like Durant, when Carmelo has it going, few defenders can slow him down.
Whichever team has Anthony on its roster next season will be one fortunate franchise.
9. John Wall
7 of 15Along with teammate JaVale McGee, John Wall joins this list of explosive players. After a stellar season at the University of Kentucky, Wall was chosen as the No. 1 draft pick last summer by the Washington Wizards.
While he may lose the Rookie of the Year Award to Blake Griffin, John Wall was an excellent pick by the Wizards. A magician with the ball with quick hands and feet, he has found a way to be quite effective on both ends of the floor in his first season.
Quicker than most players in the league, Wall can blow by defenders with ease and finish using his athletic ability and his 43-inch vertical.
As perhaps the most athletic point guard in the NBA today, Wall might end up as the best at his position within a few years.
8. Russell Westbrook
8 of 15After playing at UCLA for a couple of years, few expected Westbrook to be among the best players in the NBA. Now on a team that boasts the league’s top scorer in Kevin Durant, some consider Westbrook to be the team’s MVP.
This is a testament of how much Westbrook has improved over the past few seasons. Although he is not the best outside shooter, his accuracy has improved.
But like John Wall, Westbrook is one of the quickest young players in the league and one of the best at dribble drives to the basket.
With a 37-inch vertical leap, Westbrook’s athletic ability is impressive and gives him an advantage over many opposing players.
7. Dwight Howard
9 of 15Dwight Howard is one of the few big men that is deserving of making this list. With a 40-inch vertical leap, Howard is probably the most athletic center in the NBA.
His leaping ability, along with good timing, has led to him consistently being among the league’s leaders in rebounding and blocked shots. His explosive play around the basket provides highlight reels on a nightly basis.
And after a summer of working out with NBA legend Hakeem Olajuwon, Howard has been sporting a much-improved arsenal of offensive moves.
Everyone knows that Howard is one of the best defenders in the league. But for the first time, most people acknowledge he is one of the best on the offensive end too.
6. Monta Ellis
10 of 15Monta Ellis has overcome his share of career injuries to become one of the NBA’s most prolific scorers. A decent shooter from inside and out, his nickname “The Mississippi Bullet” was given to him in part for his speed.
Few players can score as easily as Ellis can when he is on a hot streak. With an accurate outside shot, his ability to speed around defenders is enhanced.
If Ellis was on one of the better teams in the NBA, he would be a legitimate MVP candidate according to most analysts. The scary part is thinking about how good he will be in a few years when he reaches his peak.
When healthy, there are few players that are more explosive than Monta Ellis.
5. Shannon Brown
11 of 15Shannon Brown may not be a superstar in the NBA, but his game has come a long way in improving over the past few seasons.
During a season that has been somewhat of a struggle for the Los Angeles Lakers, Brown has been one of the few bright spots, as he has become a force off the bench to backup Kobe Bryant.
In fact, he has improved so much that he would probably be a starter on many teams in the league.
He is a streaky shooter but when he gets on a roll, it can seem like every shot is going to go in the basket.
Athleticism is one of the key components of explosiveness and out of all the players on this list, Brown has the highest vertical leap, at 45 inches. It’s just too bad he laid an egg last year in the Slam Dunk Contest.
4. Amar'e Stoudemire
12 of 15Amare Stoudemire is having a career year in his inaugural season with the New York Knicks. While he still cannot play much defense, Stoudemire is averaging career highs in points and assists.
As players have to guard him outside due to his reliable jump shot, Stoudemire is easily able to blow past opponents and get easy scores near the basket.
One of the most underrated parts of Stoudemire’s game is his speed and footwork—among the best of any big man in the NBA today.
Few plays can get the New York fans going like Stoudemire’s ferocious dunks. After years of mediocrity, Knicks fans finally have something to cheer for.
3. Dwyane Wade
13 of 15The Miami Heat may have almost an entirely new roster this season, but Dwyane Wade is still the heart and soul of the team. After recovering from an early injury, Wade has shown how he is still one of the best players in the league.
While not the most athletic player in the NBA (he has a 36-inch vertical leap), Wade is still one of the most creative players around the basket, making him one of the best finishers.
He also has one of the quickest first steps, which helps to make his dribble penetration moves so effective.
Having LeBron James as a teammate has helped Wade to get more rest and not have to be responsible for putting the Heat on his back every night. As a result, Wade is playing some of the best basketball of his career.
2. LeBron James
14 of 15Speaking of LeBron James, he takes the next spot on this list.
While James may not be quite as dominant as the past few years due to sharing playing time with Wade and Chris Bosh, he is also playing some of his finest basketball.
Consistently one of the NBA’s most exciting players to watch with his 44-inch vertical leap, LeBron James uses his creativity and his crab dribble to dazzle audiences across the league.
As one of the most unstoppable basketball players in the world, there should be little debate about James belonging on this list.
1. Blake Griffin
15 of 15Surprised that LeBron James is not at the top of this list?
Blake Griffin may have a shorter vertical leap than James (37 inches), but he has youth on his side at the ripe age of 21.
So far, Griffin is the runaway candidate for Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 21.8 points and 12.6 rebounds (good for fourth in the NBA).
As the season has progressed, Griffin has only gotten better.
For instance, over the past five games, he has averaged 26.0 points, 14.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists. If he played for a good team instead of the lowly Clippers, he could also be a prime MVP candidate.
Griffin is one of the most explosive players in the NBA, beating opponents with speed and skill, and he is already gaining a reputation as a ferocious dunker.
If I were to place a bet on it, I would guess that Blake Griffin is going to win the Slam Dunk Contest this year.
Too bad I won’t be in Las Vegas to take on that bet.
