I love watching and playing basketball.  I am one of the few people I know that wishes the NBA lockout would end.  I think basketball players, as a whole, are the best athletes around.  You have to have great linear speed and lateral speed.  You have to have an explosive acceleration which helps for the first step.  Leaping ability is a plus for a game that is noted for its high flying dunks.  You need strength to hang onto the ball and handle the bodying up that goes on.  The hand-eye coordination these players have is incredible.  Great balance can come into play on each and every possession.  Every athletic attribute is covered in basketball.

Since we have no NBA basketball currently going on, I thought I would give you a list of the top 6 fastest nba players.  It is by no particular uber-metrics combination, it is just my expert opinion.

  1. Derrick Rose – Your reigning league MVP is my number one fastest guy in the NBA.  He single-handedly got the Chicago Bulls to the NBA Eastern conference finals and a lot of it had to do with his speed.  He gets around his defenders so quick and into the teeth of the defense that it either opens a teammate for a shot or he is able to take it to the hole for a thunderous dunk.  He has some good strength for someone his size as well, so he can take some hits.  Don’t let him get a full head of steam though.  You won’t be able to slow him down. Click here for his website.
  2. Lebron James – I’ve discussed several times why I think King James is the best player in the NBA right now.  This guy is the complete package.  The size of Karl Malone and the speed of Chris Paul.  Watch Lebron James get a rebound then start dribbling full-go to the other end of the court.  It is like a graceful bull charging down the court.  No one can stop this guy and he gets to the other end in the blink of an eye.  His speed and vertical leap really set him apart and make it fun to watch someone of his ability.  His junior year in high school, Lebron was an all-state wide receiver.  How would you like to throw a streak jumpball down the sideline to this guy?!  Click here for his Twitter account.
  3. Rajon Rondo – If you can’t shoot outside of 3 feet, then you better be fast as lightening and that is what Rajon Rondo is.  Rondo can’t hit the broad side of the barn.  Teams know this and lay off him, yet he is still able to use his speed and quickness to get by his opponents.  He is the spark plug that gets this old team going.  A lot of times he is a one man fastbreak because his team is too old to keep up with him.  For now, his speed is a valuable asset.  For his sake, I hope he is able to develop a jumper when he starts slowing down.  Actually, I hope he doesn’t since he is a Celtic and I’m a Laker fan.  Click here for his Twitter account.
  4. Chris Paul – His ability to dribble the basketball, stop on a dime, and accelerate right past an opponent is nothing short of incredible.  I watched this guy in a playoff game last season against the Lakers, give the New Orleans Hornets hope as his ability to blow by the Lakers old point guards led them to a win.  This guy’s speed and quickness is so awesome, it opened up his teammates enabling David West to make an all-star team one year.  Now, that is something incredible.  Click here for CP’s Twitter account.
  5. Tony Parker – The ex Mr. Eva Longoria is only 29 years old, it just seems like he has been in the league a zillion years.  But, he still has the quicks to make a difference in this league.  He has a smooth jumper and that plus his speed makes for an awesome combination.  It makes him tough to defend.  I’ve witnessed a defender getting on him somewhat tight because he doesn’t want him to shoot over him.  Then Parker attempts to dribble by the defender and he is so quick, the defender is literally trying to run to stay in front of him.  With his defender now out of position, he crosses over, steps back (now having created some open space), and calmly hits the open jumper.  Using speed as a weapon.  Nice!  Click here for his Twitter account.
  6. Russell Westbrook – This guy was public enemy number one for some critics, mainly from fans of his own team.  Why isn’t he letting Durant shoot?  Well, one reason is because he can blow by his defender whenever he wants.  This guy was a shooting guard in college and has made the transition to point guard nicely and is a good complement to Durant.  He has great pedigree for speed too, since his parents ran track in college.  I can’t remember if they both did or just one, but he has speed in his genes, plus a 36 inch vertical.  Which, if your vertical is high, then chances are you are pretty fast.  Click here for his Twitter account.