Comparing Every Team's Star Player to an Exotic Car

Disclaimer: This slideshow has no one supposedly jumping over a car.

Rather than showing you NBA superstars attempting to jump over sports cars traveling at 100 mph, we'll instead give you the delight of comparing each NBA team's star player to that of an exotic car.

By exotic car, we're not defining it as a foreign one, as it can also come from the United States (where many of the worlds greatest and most reliable cars are produced). But that's besides the point, as we explain just how each team's primary star can compare to some of the greatest cars that the world has ever seen.

Don't expect to see an entire list of comparing fast cars to fast players either, because we only did that a few times. Instead, look for the comparisons of how this car affected its company or those who drive it, and how they relate to what player they're compared to and how they did the same thing with their franchise.

Finding a way to relate a car to a player was difficult for the most part, but it became pretty interesting once you got involved on how these machines work and what potential they have. These were made by some of the greatest minds in the engineering field, and they don't receive enough praise and recognition for these modern day marvels.

Without rambling on anymore, take a look at each teams top player and which luxury car they compare to.

Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson

The car: Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Sure you're buying a Porsche, but you're still paying nearly $100,000 for an SUV.

The same deal can be said for the Atlanta Hawks. Sure you're signing an All-Star sharpshooter, but you're still paying $120 million to Joe Johnson.

Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce

The Car: Bentley Continental GT

Both sleek and both containing the ability to accelerate at a high rate of speed, Paul Pierce and the Bentley Continental GT share plenty in common when comparing the two. They are both a part of prestigious brands, in Pierce's case the Boston Celtics, are usually underrated, and also contain the ability to hit break neck speeds despite not appearing to have it in them.

Mostly though, it's because Pierce's body sort of looks like a Continental GT.

Charlotte Bobcats: Kemba Walker

The car: Lotus Elise

Both being highly coveted, the Elise represents itself as one of the few shining points in the Lotus brand while Kemba Walker represents himself as one of the few bright points of the Charlotte Bobcats franchise.

Much like Elise, Walker contains a lot of speed and power in a small package that has the capabilities of driving, hitting from anywhere on the court, and converting on pressure shots.

Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose

The car: Ferrari 430

Not yet to the status of the Enzo Ferrari F-60, Derrick Rose draws comparisons to the F-60's younger sibling in the Ferrari F430.

Valued up to as much as $225,000, the F430 can reach up to 196 miles per hour and hit 0 to 60 in four seconds all while using an engine that churns out 483 horses.

Rose bears a similarity to the machine because of his ability to hit speeds at an unbelievably quick rate by utilizing his athleticism, strength, and power to get to the rim and finish over any member of the front court.

Cleveland Cavaliers: Kyrie Irving

The car: Corvette ZR1

Much like the coveted Corvette ZR1, there isn't much known about the NBA's latest first pick in Kyrie Irving other than that he's fast, agile, and knows how to run an offense.

There isn't too much to be known about the ZR1 as production began only two years ago. What we do know is that it's taking the Corvette game to a whole new level by stepping it up with an unheard of 638 hp, a 0 to 60 time of 3.3 seconds, and a top speed of 205 mph.

This car has stepped up Chevrolet's brand and Irving is here to do the same with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki

The car: Mercedes SLR McLaren

The top of the class in German engineering, the Mercedes SLR McLaren takes the cake amongst its prestigious brand when defining the true combination of speed and power. With a supercharged V8 and 617 horses, the McLaren sets the standard for luxury auto making.

Much like how McLaren is the finest automobile to arrive from Germany to the United States, Dirk Nowitzki is by far the most talented player to come out of Deutschland as well.

He's a tremendous combination of finesse and power and is coming off of his first championship win after leading his Mavericks to the title.

Denver Nuggets: Nene Hilario

The car: BMW X5

Much like how Nene Hilario will be the most desired free agent in the coming weeks, the BMW X5 has been one of the most coveted SUV's in the United States since its introduction in 1999. It's coming off of a bounce back year last year after totaling nearly 36,000 sales of the auto that costs around $50,000.

Aside from both being highly coveted, Hilario draws comparisons to the SUV because of the power and strength that he commands when near the basket.

Detroit Pistons: Brandon Knight

The car: Lamborghini Gallardo

With so many teams clamoring for the Lamborghini Murcielago's of the 2011 NBA draft, many decided to pass right by it's smaller sibling in the Gallardo.

The Gallardo has always been overshadowed by the Murcielago despite having a V10 engine that can propel it up to speeds of 200 miles per hour while hitting 0 to 60 in four seconds or better.

Brandon Knight may be going to play in motor city, but he's a perfect representation of the Gallardo. Both fast, agile, and containing a lot more power than you expect, Knight will be attempting to resurrect the Pistons franchise much like how the Gallardo is attempting to for Lamborghini and its sales.

Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis

The car: BMW M3

Were you expecting a mo-ped?

Instead of adding more insult to more injury, we'll have to compare the speedy and athletic Monta Ellis to that of the BMW M3 which is also a car that contains a great deal of speed.

How these two draw a fair comparison is the fact that they are both more powerful than you expect when you first see them. When looking at Ellis, all you see is an undersized shooting guard that appears to be too skinny and lanky to play the position much like how when you see the M3, all you see is a regular sedan.

However, give Ellis some room and he turns out to be one of the NBA's top-tier high flyers. The M3 is no slouch either as it contains a V8 engine that has the capability of racing up to as much as 155 mph and hitting 0 to 60 in nearly four seconds.

Houston Rockets: Kevin Martin

The car: Porsche Turbo

Kevin Martin certainly isn't powerful like a Porsche Turbo nor is he extremely quick, so what exactly makes him compare to that of one of the finest sports cars you could possibly buy?

The fact that they're both vastly underrated. The Turbo has always been underrated as many speed demons would rather strive for the GT-2 while those who would rather just to say that they have a Porsche would go for the Boxster or the Carrera.

Martin has been underrated for his whole career since his days with the Sacramento Kings.

Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger

The car: Ford GT

Quick! Name all of the sports cars to come out of the Ford Brand besides the Cobra.

Not ringing too many bells? Then take note of the comparisons between Ford's lone sports car in the GT and the lone superstar affiliated with the Indiana Pacers in Danny Granger. The GT has been carrying Ford for years in terms of speed and power while Granger has been doing the same for the Pacers as he's continually dealt an insubordinate team that he can barely take to the post season.

With a budding roster, however, Granger may find himself needing a new comparison unless Ford can begin making equivalents to the GT.

Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin

The car: Jeep SRT-8

I know exactly what you're thinking at the moment. How on earth could something as simple as a Jeep be compared to one of the NBA's strongest and most powerful players currently playing in Blake Griffin?

Very easily actually once you see the Jeep SRT-8 actually giving sports cars like the SLR McLaren a run for its money. This is not like any other SUV you've ever seen as the Jeep contains 420 horses, has a 0 to 60 time of 4.6 seconds, and can clear a quarter mile in 13.2 seconds.

This Jeep is like no other SUV much like how Blake Griffin is like no other big man when going up for dunks and completing jams that no other power forward or center could possibly do in the game today.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant

The car: Ferrari Enzo

You couldn't give the nod to someone more deserving to be represented by one of the greatest sports cars in the world than to Kobe Bryant.

With the obvious comparison being that they're both residents of Italy, the Enzo and Kobe Bryant both share the similarities of being at the top of the class when it comes to their respective fields. With the Enzo dominating the sports car game and Bryant dominating basketball year after year, both are dominant figures that won't be toppled until a younger predecessor comes around.

To show how much power the Enzo is equipped with, take note of the V12 engine, the numerous scoops on the body of the car to take in air, possesses 651 horsepower, and can reach speeds above 200 mph.

Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay

The car: Nissan GTR

The Memphis Grizzlies and Nissan do share one thing in common, they're both not taken too seriously.

The Grizzlies have always been overlooked due to the small market they play in, the fact that they hadn't won a post season game until last year, and also on account of their roster which has never been up to par with the elite teams. Nissan has always been looked at as your usual sedan with a number of four-door cars to choose from and the occasional SUV.

However, Rudy Gay is planning on giving the Grizzlies a name with his athletic play while the GTR will be attempting to give Nissan a name in the sports car world. The Japanese built coupe has a top speed of up to 193 mph and can hit 0 to 60 in an astounding 3.3 seconds which easily makes it one of the top sports cars to ever arrive out of Japan.

Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade

The car: Maybach 62S

For the low price of $430,000, you can't afford to not have a Maybach 62S in your driveway.

Much like Dwyane Wade, there's a lot more than meets the eye of the Maybach 62S. It appears to be your standard luxury sedan, it bears a stunning resemblance to a Mercedes, but once you crank the V12 engine and unleash the 620 horses under the hood, it turns out that you have a beast of a machine that can go from 0 to 60 in five seconds and hit as much as 155 mph.

Mostly, these two are similar because of the Maybach being a sedan and allowing other people to jump inside and join the fun much like what LeBron James and Chris Bosh did last off season.

Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings

The car: Toyota Supra

Much like what Rudy Gay is attempting to complete with the Memphis Grizzlies, the same can be said for what Brandon Jennings is doing with the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks aren't the type of team you'll find on ESPN and it comes as a result of the market it's in and the overall lack of any All-Star caliber players.

Young Brandon Jennings will be attempting to make a name for himself and the Bucks in the coming seasons as he has finally received some offensive help in Stephen Jackson.

Jennings draws the comparison of the Toyota Supra as that model was actually one of the first to bring Toyota into the spotlight. Not to mention that both Jennings and the Supra are extremely fast and can surprise you with their quickness with the Supra hitting speeds of 155 mph.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Love

The car: Mercedes CLK 63

One of Mercedes most popular brands over the past few years has been the CLK class which sports the larger and more powerful luxury cars. The cars of the CLK class are usually the most powerful with sedans that possess as much as 475 horsepower and topping off at speeds of nearly 175 mph.

Not to mention that they are usually the most valuable with the CLK63 being the most valuable at nearly $130,000.

Much like how valuable the 63 is to the CLK class and the CLK class overall to the Mercedes brand, Kevin Love is also an incredibly valuable piece to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Also like most CLK's, you don't realize how powerful Kevin Love is until you actually see him go to work and grab 15 rebounds per night as he did last season when he led the league.

New Jersey Nets: Deron Williams

The car: Porsche GT2

In the relatively small package that is the 6'3" Deron Williams, there is a lot more than meets the eye. Williams has emerged as arguably the league's top point guard after helping to lead the Utah Jazz to a number of deep post season runs thanks to his speed and most importantly his strength which is among the best when it comes to point guards.

The same can be said of the Porsche GT2 which draws a resemblance to its sibling in the Porsche Turbo. Unlike the Turbo, however, the GT2 is even faster and stronger of a vehicle and can hit speeds of 204 mph while doing 0-60 in 3.4 seconds.

These small packages are also highly coveted with Williams being near the top of the class of point guards and the GT2 coming close as the Porsche's top model.

New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul

The car: Koenigsegg CCX

The chances are high that you've never heard of the Koenigsegg brand which is understandable because it's a brand that hasn't produced many other popular sports cars aside from the CCX which can reach speeds of 245 mph while hitting 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds.

Much like the New Orleans Hornets, there isn't much to the franchise other than Chris Paul. The point guard has been carrying the team on his back for the past few years now and will soon be contemplating departing from the team upon his free agency.

New York Knicks: Carmelo Anthony

The car: Lamborghini Murcielago LP640

One of the latest Murcielago's to be created, the LP640 sets the standard for sports cars with 631 horses and a top speed of 211 mph. It's the fastest street legal Lamborghini to ever be created and it has been receiving a lot of attention from the circles involved with the car world.

The Lamborghini defines luxury and speed and is one of the flashiest cars you could possibly own much like how Carmelo Anthony is one of the NBA's most flashy players when observing his sick post moves, stellar range, and his ability to be one of the league's most clutch players.

Not to mention that they both belong to prestigious institutions with the Murcielago LP640 being a part of Lamborghini and Anthony being a member of the New York Knicks.

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

The car: Dodge Viper

Dwight Howard is a beast of a player, so it's only right to compare him to a beast of a car known as the Dodge Viper.

While you might be expecting Howard to be compared to an SUV, it wouldn't be fair because the majority of SUV's are usually slow moving, powerful machines. Howard is faster than most centers and he can attribute that to his athleticism which allows him to reach heights that not many other players could soar to.

The Dodge Viper sets the tone for American power with a wide body and a V10 engine that would give an foreign supercar a run for its money. Despite being heavy in regards to the standard sports car, the Viper can reach speeds of 202 mph and hit 0 to 60 in only 3.4 seconds.

Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant

The car: Audi R8

Audi usually reigns among the top in terms of its luxury sedans, but it wasn't until it came out with the R8 that it began to make a name for itself among the sports car enthusiasts of the world. Costing $114,000, the R8 has brought Audi into the sports car game with a V10 engine, 518 horses, and a 0 to 60 time in 3.2 seconds.

The Audi brand has never stood out and neither does the R8 which keeps a low profile much like its Audi siblings.

Kevin Durant isn't the flashiest player in the NBA despite being recognized as an elite. He'll pull off a stellar dunk once in awhile, but he's all business when on the floor as you'll see in the mid-range and perimeter shots that he consistently converts throughout the game. Durant likes to keep a low profile and the only time you'll see him on ESPN is when he's either making a highlight play or when he's leading the Thunder to championship contention.

Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala

The car: Maserati Quattroporte

Many fans of the Philadelphia 76ers sometimes ask for too much from their star player in Andre Iguodala. While they would like him to become an All-Star that scores 25 points per game and leads them to the post season year after year, they have to come to terms that he's a mediocre offensive threat that is more acquainted to the defensive side of the ball.

The same can be said for anyone who has ever bought the Maserati Quattroporte, the brand's first sedan model.

Those who buy the sedan are expecting the usual speed and flash of a Maserati, but are usually disappointed when they find out that the cars top speed is only at 167 mph which is inferior to the other Maserati models which can exceed past 200 mph.

If you want a scorer, go trade for Monta Ellis. If you want a sports car, buy the Maserati GranTurismo.

Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash

The car: McLaren F1

He's certainly not fast like an McLaren F1, so how exactly does Steve Nash compare to that of a car that once reached top speeds of 231 mph?

The fact that these two have stood the test of the time, of course. Nash is one of the league's oldest relevant players at 36 years old and has continued to produce at an efficient rate despite his growing age.

He draws a comparison to that of the McLaren F1 which was discontinued in 1998, but continues to be regarded as one of the first cars to achieve such a speed as well as distinction amongst the sports car community much like how Nash is still considered one of the NBA's greatest point guards despite nearing retirement.

Portland Trail Blazers: LaMarcus Aldridge

The car: Porsche Carrera GT

For years, Porsche was led by the GT2 and the Turbo when it came to its top-tier sports car. Both cars were highly popular amongst sports car enthusiasts and were always at the top of the class when compared to other sports cars as well as its own brand.

Well, all of that was true up until the introduction of the Carrera GT which quickly left the GT2 and the Turbo in its dust. Those two are missed, but they're not missed enough for people to still go crazy over how impressive a car the Carrera GT truly is.

It sort of reminds us of the debacle in Portland. For a few years, Brandon Roy was the leader of this team until he suffered a torn meniscus that caused him to get serious knee injury. With Roy still recovering, teammate LaMarcus Aldridge would take over and lead the Blazers just as well as Brandon had done when he was the number one option.

Blazer fans miss Roy, but there's no doubt that they're going to get over it quickly when watching Aldridge lead the team.

Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans

The car: Corvette Z06

The Corvette has always been the staple of the Chevrolet brand and it saved the entire company once it revolutionized the Corvette by breaking out the powerful Z06.

The Z06 set the standard for modern day Corvettes thanks in part to 505 horses under the hood, reaching speeds up to 200 mph, and hitting 0 to 60 in only 3.6 seconds. This car saved the Chevrolet franchise as it was an affordable American sports car that any well off person could possess.

Like the Z06 did with Chevrolet, Tyreke Evans will be attempting the same thing with the Sacramento Kings by keeping the team in its same location after a great deal of speculation has the team either heading to Anaheim or Kansas City.

The city of Sacramento doesn't deserve that and it might not happen if Evans can continue bringing fans to the Arco Arena.

San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan

The car: Rolls Royce Phantom

The Rolls Royce Phantom is one of the most majestic and regal sedans in the world today that also shows class inside and out, much like how Tim Duncan has carried himself for the past 15 years.

The Phantom retails for nearly $400,000 and is equipped with a V12 engine with 453 horsepower. The car sets the standard for luxury and it's a staple for anyone who has ever achieved a great deal of success to own one.

Like Duncan with the Spurs, the Phantom is a valuable piece that anyone would like to own as it can stand the test of the time.

Toronto Raptors: Andrea Bargnani

The car: Lamborghini LM002

Lamborghini shouldn't make SUV's and centers shouldn't be spending the majority of their time on the perimeter which gives a perfect comparison between the Lambo's ill-advised creation of the LM002 and the Toronto Raptors Andrea Bargnani.

Unlike the traditional way of playing center by staying under the rim on both sides of the court, Bargnani stays as far away as possible from it which explains the five boards per game he averaged two years ago. He stays at the top of the perimeter for his offense and hasn't done that bad of a job at it after averaging 21 points per last season.

Still, shooting centers and Lamborghini SUV's just don't seem right.

Utah Jazz: Al Jefferson

The car: Cadillac Escalade

Setting the standard for luxury SUV's, the Cadillac Escalade took the cake.

Aside from being related to the already prestigious brand that is Cadillac, the Escalade defined class despite being a vehicle that was usually related to soccer moms. This wasn't your average Ford Expedition or Explorer as the Escalade set the standard for luxury SUV's with Land Rover and Lincoln soon following in suit.

Al Jefferson has been setting the standard for NBA centers as he seems to be one of the only big men in the league that continues to use post moves to score near the basket. Unlike the popular method of either doing nothing, shooting from the perimeter, or using your power to back in, Jefferson takes some tabs from Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson by using his footwork to score.

Who knows? Maybe this can actually begin a trend of centers that revert back to the way the position used to be played.

Washington Wizards: John Wall

The car: Ferrari FXX

The Ferrari FXX  is as flashy and as fast as you can get and there shouldn't even be an explanation of why it should be compared to the speedy point guard of the Washington Wizards in John Wall.

The Fxx was a race car through and through thanks in part to its V12 engine, 789 horsepower, and a top speed of 243. This car defined speed and is one of the fastest Ferrari's, let alone cars in general, that you'll ever witness.

Much like the FXX, you don't truly know speed in the NBA when you observe how fast John Wall can move in the open court. He's one of the most athletic point guards in the league and is also one of its fastest players in general.