After the subject of NBA trash talkers came up, Beverley provided his own top five list, which unsurprisingly included himself. #10. Larry Bird, widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, was also known for his. Open comment sort options. His tally of trash-talking insults, however, is way above 500 and still rising. He was extremely vocal on the court, constantly engaging in trash-talking with opponents, referees, and even fans. Bird did not take any prisoners as well. The four-time NBA champion was recently asked about. Draymond Green knows trash talk like Beethoven knew music. Rasheed Wallace, a former NBA player known for his versatile skills and fiery personality, is widely regarded as one of the league's greatest trash-talkers. He was known for his ability to get inside his opponents' heads. Here are the greatest trash talkers in NBA history. The Biggest Trash Talkers at the Rio Olympics. Kevin Garnett. NBC Sports. There’s a reason you used. He also happens to be one of the biggest trash talkers and cheap-shot artists in the league, habits that go. Russell Westbrook has a multi-faceted personality and is also a fashion icon apart from being. 1. Appearing on GQ’s Actually Me, the 76ers guard answered questions from fans, which included offering his take on which players are the NBA’s “biggest trash talkers. Michael Jordan. Who is the best agent for a basketball player to have in his corner? $111,321,339. The Inglewood, California native was one of the NBA's biggest trash talkers and frustrated no team more than his hometown Lakers. The players on this list may not all be the most skilled or NBA 75-worthy, but they excel at getting under opponents' skin and providing a laugh for the fans. But in conversations with former players, one particular individual always stands out when it comes to their style of trash-talking, and that is the great Larry Bird. In this segment of Open Court, the NBA legends debate who the best trash talker of their generation was and tell some hilarious stories in the process. The brilliant Giants wide receiver has a habit of losing his temper on the field of play, enjoying run-ins with referees and officials at the drop of a hat. Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic has been listed among the NBA's biggest trash talkers. Legend has it that Reggie Miller’s lines were the only to ever get a rouse out of Michael Jordan. And when it comes to the NBA - where the best basketball players of the world face off- some of the greatest stars in league history learned to master the art of. Joey Porter and the Biggest NFL Trash Talkers. Whether he's allegedly spewing racial slurs against the classy Jarome Iginla or telling Pronger he's "the biggest idiot in the league" and that he's "terrible," Burish always comes out the loser. Before the start of the 2004-05 season, he made a mistake by taking a jab at Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade. Listen to his two-minute rant, where he says Harden. Hats off to one of the NBA’s most infuriating talents. COVID-19: How to Spend Time at Home in the Best Way PossibleSixers’ Patrick Beverley names NBA’s biggest trash talkers, including himself · 2h Blazers PG Scoot Henderson’s defiant ‘starstruck’ take on facing Kevin Durant proves he’s bound for. Jalen Ramsey, cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars. Whatever you call it, HEAT guard Gary Payton is the perennial king. Golden State Warriors anchor Draymond Green says Brooklyn Nets star Kevin Durant is the NBA's best trash talker. CFB. This past week, Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks, a proud trash talker and instigator, went out of his way to call Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James “old” and boasted, “I poke bears. net "Sometimes he doesn't even talk to you; he's just talking to himself" — Tim Hardaway Jr. Chael Sonnen may be a good trash talker, he may be a tremendous comedian, but his quote about failure on The Ultimate Fighter is one of the few times that Sonnen pulls back the curtain and shows his true colors as one of the best competitors in the game. NBA Legendary Loudmouths: Ranking The NBA’s Loudest Trash-Talkers Of All Time. Craig Hodges to Larry Bird: “He knows where to find me. Jeremy Roenick is well known among hockey fans for topping the 500 goal plateau in his lengthy NHL career. October 13, 2023 2 min read. One can’t help but think that the Orlando NBA bubble gives shades of the old days of amateur basketball. Larry Bird is arguably the biggest trash-talker ever. During an interview with MMA Fighting. The NBA has seen hundreds one-on-one fights through its many years of basketball history, but it is the all out brawls among teams, players, coaches, and sometimes even fans, that remain etched in our collective. Andy Tonkovich. . A survey of 108 NBA players released by The Athletic before Phoenix's Game 2 win Tuesday ranked Booker fourth among NBA players for trash talking. basketballnetwork. "Tom Brady [is] one of the biggest trash talkers all of time," Williams wrote. In a surprise guest appearance for GQ, NBA veteran Patrick Beverley sat down for a segment of 'Actually Me,' where athletes and other American celebrities go undercover to react to fan discourse. ”. hornlessnarwhal. One of the greatest small forwards ever. Green, a noted trash-talker himself, asked legendary yapper Payton who the biggest trash. Kevin Garnett will long be remembered as one of the fiercest competitors and biggest trash-talkers to play in the NBA. comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment. The Best Trash Talkers In NBA History. However, it is only in recent history that it has become a form of art. Mike Tyson- Had a couple explicit interviews on ESPN about opponents. When you combine trash talk and the physical nature and high emotions of an NBA game, things can sometimes get out of control. There are many stories that have been passed down from many an NBA player and after hearing them they. Since he entered the NBA in the 1979-80 season he had a big game that came with equally big smack skills. He refused to allow Dillon Brooks to antagonize him in one encounter, despite the latter’s best efforts. Jordan's one of, if not he most recognizable athlete on Earth, and during his time in the NBA his talking skills paralleled his talent on the court. ‘The Answer’ was also one of the game’s top trash-talkers and lit up games with his words. Sometimes it even gets him ejected from a game. MJ is now considered one of the biggest trash-talkers in NBA history, and even though he took inspiration from Larry Bird, Jordan took it to the next level, trash-talking everybody he competed. During his 13-year NBA career, Larry Bird talked the talk and walked it out harder than Andre 3000's verse on the remix of DJ UNK's song by the same name. Gary Payton. Kevin Garnett touched off a firestorm and Charlie Villanueva has every right to be angry with the ill-tempered Boston Celtics star if what he allegedly told Villanueva is actually true. I've always told people, KD's one of. Draymond Green Is The King Of Trash Talk. Mother Larsa’s Ex-Boyfriend Joining LeBron James’ Lakers Sends NFL Legend and NBA Fans Into a Spiral. He is a 3x NBA champion 3x League MVP and the BIGGEST trash talker ever. Evan Fournier recently told Tidal League that Green is the biggest trash-talker in the NBA. • 9 yr. Watch any NBA game and you'll see plenty of trash talking. Photo: The Doctor. Players use it to gain a psychological advantage over their opponents, and it has become an integral part of the game of basketball. The Big Ticket was a force on both offense and defense, and his ability to get into his opponents' heads only made things. The players on this list may not all be the most skilled or NBA 75-worthy, but they excel at getting under opponents' skin and providing a laugh for the fans. Appearing on GQ’s Actually Me, the 76ers guard answered questions from fans, which included offering his take on which players are the NBA’s “biggest trash talkers. Gregg Popovich. Patrick Beverley picked out the biggest trash talkers in the NBA currently, and of course, the list included himself. 2. Top clients: Agency: BDA Sports Management. Their young roster is amazing at. ago. . NBA. Regarded as one of the greatest point guards and passers of all time, Kidd was a 10-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA First Team member, and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive Team member. . The Best Trash Talkers In NBA History. Evan Fournier recently told Tidal League that Green is the biggest trash-talker in the NBA. Damian Lillard files for divorce days after trade to Bucks. 2. WWE has been the biggest wrestling promotion for quite some time and in turn have had some amazing trash talkers come through the doors at Titan Towers. We can all recall his friendly words for Michael. He also happens to be one of the biggest trash talkers and cheap-shot artists in the league, habits that go. While the Los Angeles Lakers were considered the biggest rival of the Boston Celtics back in the 1980s, the Detroit Pistons were a close second. Joel Embiid: Devin Booker Is Low-Key One Of. The New York Knicks guard noted Green has taken over from Kevin Garnett, who previously held that title. NBC SportsArab Revolt Tribal Cavalry – Tribes of Jordan and Arabia, c. I’ve always told people KD’s one of the biggest trash-talkers, to me, since I came into the league. Garnett’s intense stare and big bark continued the legacy of players like Allen Iverson, Gary Payton, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird. Bird was dominant during the 1980s and would always put on a. Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley has claimed that Michael Jordan is the biggest trash talker that he has played against. 4) John McEnroe. Recently, Patrick Beverley who is infamous for his antics on the hardwood shared his top-5 best trash-talkers in the NBA. Here are the 10 best trash-talk moments in UFC history. Reggie Miller names his top 3 trash-talkers in today’s game Miller was no secret. If you told somebody back in 2016 that Joel Embiid wasn’t recognized as one of the NBA’s biggest trash-talkers, nobody would believe you. The three-time NBA Champion was also one of the biggest trash-talkers in the league for two decades. 1 "Failure is not an option. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is among the biggest trash talkers in the NBA, according to an anonymous survey of 108 players conducted by The Athletic. Gary Payton Is Top 5 Trash-Talker in NBA History, and You Won’t Believe Who’s No. Embiid has great pictures of the games, his traveling, and loved ones, but fans mostly enjoy it when he talks trash toward his opponents on Instagram. SI Staff. New comments cannot be posted. Kobe Bryant during. Green was speaking during The Match charity golf event, which involved his Warriors teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, per Bleacher Report. Trash-talking is sort of a lost art in the NBA nowadays, but back in the '80s and '90s, Jordan and. Cassell could talk the hind leg off a donkey and regularly did so. In an article from the Athletic by Jayson Jenkins, Lon Rosen,. . The biggest thing is he was a trash talker. Everyone lauds "The Hick From French Lick" as one of the most savage trash talkers in NBA history. Usually a calm guy, Jordan just couldn’t resist serving up a hot knuckle sandwich for Reggie Miller, who’d been ordering one all night. From Jack Johnson and Muhammad Ali to Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather Jr. People would not see him verbally saying stuff because he wasn’t talking sentences. Former teammates would tell stories of him telling his opponents the move. Larry’s trash talk came from his incred. “Michael is the biggest trash talker that you’ll ever meet. Trash-talking is an integral part of a lot of sports including basketball. "He taught me everything I know about getting in. "I'm. 61 percent said Cousins. Biggest Trash talker. 4. PeopleAbout Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright. Those days are over and everyone. ”. The three-time NBA Champion was also one of the biggest trash-talkers in the league for two decades. A list of the NBA's biggest trash talkers of the past and present, from Michael Jordan to Kevin Garnett to Dillon Brooks. Evan Fournier recently told Tidal League that Green is the biggest trash-talker in the NBA. Three quarters (75%) say they have taken part in trash talking while watching an NFL game. John Froschauer / AP Photo. Yes, Booker is one of the biggest trash talkers. “Generally, I don’t talk trash,” Bird told The Athletic in 2019. One of the greatest players in NBA history, Larry Bird, was one of the biggest trash talkers back in the day. Selling wolf tickets. The Biggest NBA Busts Of All Time; The Best NBA Game 7 Performance Of All Time; The. It therefore should barely be a surprise that a 2010 poll by Sports Illustrated voted Bryant one of the biggest trash talkers in the NBA. If only the NBA let us hear all the trash-talking in-game, that would be the icing on the cake. Green stated that KD was one of the biggest trash talkers since he came into the league. Prince Naseem Hamed 4 of 97. In fact, many of my biggest fans are retards. Randy Moss- was known to be a big talker during games to opposing corner backs. By Gavin Evans. (To Chuck Pearson after saying he was going bird hunting): "Merry f…. Draymond Green: 26. Here's a look at the best trash talkers in sports history. He established himself as a superstar in the league, but also as one of the fiercest competitors and biggest trash talkers in the entire association. Larry Bird. List of 15 Best Trash Talkers in NBA History 1. Green isn't shy to go against anybody in the league and yell whatever goes through his mind at any moment, which is why he was named the biggest trash-talker in the NBA by other players. foxsports. But Morant has flair and incredible skills that he combines with bold confidence. . 7. During his interview, Patrick Beverley listed several NBA stars, including Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, Luka Dončić, and Russell Westbrook, among the top trash talkers in the league. In fact, Luca admits that he likes it when players trash talk to him as it only pumps him up and gets him going. Golden Hoops Merch: provided by Epidemic SoundThis video features players like: Luka Doncic, Devin Booker, Kla. Rich Paul. Yeah book has been a huge trash talker. Who talks the most trash on the court? 1. Although Jordan was the Bulls’ trash talk king, Scottie Pippen delivered the franchise’s greatest line. Check out the NBA's biggest trash. Any kind of small altercation, bickering, or even staring down at an opponent can result in a technical, and that's why trash talking is a dying art in today's NBA. Notably, legends like Kevin Garnett, Michael Jordan, and Larry…During the 2009-10 Sports Illustrated polled NBA players to find out who they felt was the biggest trash talker in the NBA. He was one of the biggest trash talkers in the NBA during his day, but more often than not, he’d back everything up. One of his legendary stories include telling the media that he will play left-handed for three quarters against the Portland Trail Blazers in 1986. What Does It Mean To Be Multilingual? Read More. Green belongs in the 1990’s NBA, when trash-talk was the norm. Also, Bird is one of them. When seeking to create power rankings for the league's biggest trash talkers of all time, some of the best and brightest names in recent NBA history come to mind. Subscribe to The. . They are even backup by huge fan bases from all over the world. Smith, and DeShawn Stevenson are just a few of the NBA players with ink from head to toe. He was not afraid to express his opinions or challenge anyone, which made. and trash-talking, Rodman was getting under the skin of the likes of Karl Malone, Shawn Kemp, and Shaquille. Legend has it that Reggie Miller’s lines were the only to ever get a rouse out of Michael Jordan. Trash-talking is a part of basketball and nobody did it better than these 25 players. He has been following the NBA for more than a decade and represented his state at the National. He’s also one of the dirtiest players but there’s. Athletes like Patrick Beverley, renowned for his defensive prowess, shared his list of the top five trash talkers in the NBA during an interview with GQ. Should the NHL expand the playoffs with an NBA-style play-in round involving the 7-10 seeds in each conference? Yes: 2 No: 14. Patrick Beverley. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is among the biggest trash talkers in the NBA, according to an anonymous survey of 108 players conducted by The Athletic. Speaking of Reggie Miller, he makes this list for memorable moments of trash talk. He famously trash-talked Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Divisional Rankings. The fame went to Odell Beckham’s head long before he was a television star. Bird, a white man himself, took offense to being guarded by other white basketball players because he grew up. Philadelphia 76ers Premier League UFC. He's a distant fourth. Allen Iverson. Turns out one of the biggest trash talkers in the NBA hasn't ever even played a game. Check out the NBA's most legendary trash-talkers here. Draymond Green and Joel Embiid are two of the best trash-talkers in the NBA. Never shy to get in someone’s face, Ramsey trash talks with the best of them. T. Jimmy Butler (Miami Heat) Miami Heat forward, Jimmy Butler is known for his relentless work ethic and will to win. ” He. After the subject of NBA trash talkers came up, Beverley provided his own top five list, which unsurprisingly included himself. Over 50 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of Best Trash Talkers. Kobe Bryant. " At the end of the game though, Durant made all of those hecklers look very, very stupid -- just as Green mentioned -- when he. Out of all the players called out by Beverley, Draymond Green's inclusion was the least surprising. This thread is archived. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 biggest NBA trash talkers who have left an indelible mark on the league. Jun 30, 2023. While some legendary trash talkers followed them, there's a decent chance that nobody will ever be able to match the brazen confidence that this duo had. SPORTS. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. The NBA’s Biggest Trash Talkers: Draymond Green, Kevin Garnett And More When you combine a group of men, a competitive sport, and adrenaline, pride will naturally find its way into the equation. 5 Best Netflix Series to Learn English 2021 Read More. If anything Miller was surely one of the biggest NBA villains. Sixers’ Patrick Beverley names NBA’s biggest trash talkers, including himself · 1h Blazers PG Scoot Henderson’s defiant ‘starstruck’ take on facing Kevin Durant proves he’s bound for. During his interview, Patrick Beverley listed several NBA stars, including Draymond Green,. At best, this team was supposed to give it their best in the play-in tournament and head home with frowns on their faces. Account. In a YouTube video posted by GQ Sports, Philadelphia 76ers guard Patrick Beverly revealed his list of the biggest trash-talkers in the NBA that includes Draymond Green and Kevin Durant (starts at. Draymond Green Is The King Of Trash Talk. You’re going to. 3. In a surprise guest appearance for GQ, NBA veteran Patrick Beverley sat down for a segment of 'Actually Me,' where athletes and other American celebrities go undercover to react to fan discourse. “Michael is the biggest trash talker that you’ll ever meet. Former NBA Star Larry Johnson now named and discussed the biggest trash-talkers that he ever faced throughout his career in the NBA. Garnett won with a mind blowing 62 percent. When you combine trash talk and the physical nature and high emotions of an NBA game, things can sometimes get out of control. For a player that flirts with. Joel Embiid and JJ talking about best trash talkers in the NBA, Joel says to be a good trash talker you have to back it up, unlike in Embiid’s words, Patrick Beverley. Mark Bartelstein. But the Suns star can also let his mouth do the talking when needed. Check the rest of the 25 Greatest Trash-Talkers in Sports History. Karl Malone was fouled with nine seconds left in a tied Game 1 of the 1997 NBA Finals. Trash-talking is a captivating and exciting element in the NBA and many other sports leagues. 41. Evan Fournier recently told Tidal League that Green is the biggest trash-talker in the NBA. MIAMI, April 12 Trash talking. 5 of 25. Trash-talking is a part of basketball and nobody did it better than these 25 players. Welcome back to NBA All Day, today on the channel we're going to be talking about "NBA's Biggest TRASH TALK. Apr 9, 2020. Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles is one of the NBA’s most under-appreciated, trash-talking, fight-starting, drain-a-three-in-your-face-and-whisper-sweet-nothings-to-you-about-it players of all time. Tickets. Who would you consider the biggest trash talker in the NBA today? Looking to see who the biggest trash talkers are in sports today. RELATED: 10 Best Trash Talkers In WCW History. Low-key as hell. Larry Bird’s NBA achievements are legendary. 5. Bird, a white man himself, took offense to being guarded by other white basketball players because he grew up. The Golden State Warriors legend has engaged in big battles with other players and knows who are the best ones when it comes to trash-talking. The New Orleans-area native previously covered the NBA's Utah Jazz (The Salt Lake Tribune) and. Yes, Booker is one of the biggest trash talkers. In a 2009-10 SI poll of 173 players, Garnett was voted the league's biggest trash-talker, winning by a landslide with 62 percent. Draymond Green believes Kevin Durant is the best trash talker in the NBA. “My. She thrives on that. Michael Jordan went up against plenty of trash talkers in his day, but the biggest one of all might come as a surprise. After spending a few seasons in the NBA, Embiid vowed. After the subject of NBA trash talkers came up, Beverley provided his own top five list, which unsurprisingly included himself. NEWS. Hats off to one of the NBA’s most infuriating talents. Here's a real trash-talker. There's no question that Gary Payton was one of the best defensive guards ever playing in the NBA. 2. Kobe Bryant is widely regarded as one of the fiercest competitors to have ever played the game. Check out the NBA's biggest trash. Iverson was once one of the NBA’s best guards and spent his prime years with the 76ers. But the Glove was also one of the biggest trash-talkers ever in the league's history. Often discussed as one of the most famous trash talkers in NBA history, Reggie Miller had an incredible knack for getting under people's skin. Michael Jordan. Larry Bird’s NBA achievements are legendary. Trash-talking is sort of a lost art in the NBA nowadays, but back in the '80s and '90s, Jordan and. By Scott Bedgood, updated on July 14, 2023. 1. For this piece, let’s rank the 10 biggest NBA villains of all time. Only 1 in 4 sports fans say they’ve never trash talked before. Stoudemire actually spent the first eight years of his career in Phoenix and has only been in New. S. Trae Young - 5-year, $215 million. Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire is frequently mentioned among the NBA's biggest trash talkers. 10. The New Orleans Pelicans forward couldn't pick one so. As the face of the Philadelphia 76ers franchise, Embiid has endeared himself to fans with his engaging personality and playful trash talk. "I've always told people that KD is one of the biggest trash talkers to me. Get all the news you need. Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is one of the NBA's best trash talkers, according to. I think you start to realize it now with the more he talks on Twitter or the more he's caught saying stuff to fans in the stands, KD. funny, for some reason i can't imagine larry trash talking. – Rasheed Wallace to absolutely everyone. Via indystar. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F. A list of the NBA's biggest trash talkers of the past and present, from Michael Jordan to Kevin Garnett to Dillon Brooks. 4. Only a few months after that, Stoudemire was yet again living up to his reputation. Can't believe this happened when I came to the park. 15. But Morant has flair and incredible skills that he combines with bold confidence. 43 LISTS. List of 15 best trash talkers in NBA history. PeopleNo one was quieter than the Grizzlies’ biggest loudmouth, Dillon Brooks, who basically called LeBron James washed up after Game 2. "I've always told people that KD is one of the biggest trash talkers to me. When asked the top reasons why they trash talk, the top choice was for fun (56%), followed by a bad call that was made (52%), and to let off some steam (28%). Patrick Beverley has long been one of the most feisty defenders in the NBA, and unsurprisingly, he dishes quite a bit of trash talk to the opponents that he comes in contact with. Veteran NBA fans often complain that there are fewer trash talkers in the modern game. One. , boxing has enjoyed some of the best trash-talkers in sports. Taylor was even warned by the NFL about his trash talk in 2011. . The NBA playoffs are heating up, and so are tempers on the court. Gary Payton is considered by many to be the NBA’s greatest trash talker and, for that reason, has to make the list. NFL NBA Megan Anderson Atlanta Hawks Los Angeles Lakers Boston Celtics Arsenal F. His relentless energy and intense competitiveness made him one of the most fierce competitors in NBA history. Draymond Green. Aug 13, 2013. Iverson was once one of the NBA’s best guards and spent his prime years with the 76ers. Rose played with Miller with the Pacers, so he saw first. Draymond Green Retains Biggest Trash Talker Title According to Current NBA Players. Then, there's the Netflix basketball documentary The Last Dance (2021),. While the Chicago Sky were celebrating their. Larry. Grace followed up with a great story about his biggest trash talker, Tommy Lasorda. The players that made it to the list are the top players in the league. Appearing on GQ’s Actually Me, the 76ers guard answered questions from fans, which included offering his take on which players are the NBA’s “biggest trash. If you’re a top-eight team. the six-time NBA champion also talked a lot of trash to his. . He’s one of the best trash talkers in the sport today as his opponents including Draymond Green can attest. 2. People would ask me about it later, and I'd tell them, ‘He should be good at it, he's been talking trash since middle school. Draymond Green is considered one of the best trash-talkers in the NBA, which has helped him get under his rival's skin more than once. Follow us on Instagram: us on Twitter: o. “I’m going to get the ball right here and I am going to shoot it right in your face,” Larry Bird to Xavier McDaniel. One of the most hilarious instances of Larry Bird’s trash-talking came in 1987. He famously trash-talked Kobe Bryant and LeBron James. Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker is among the biggest trash talkers in the NBA, according to an anonymous survey of 108 players conducted by The Athletic. So he worked on. Evan Fournier recently told Tidal League that Green is the biggest trash-talker in the NBA. In the 2004-2005 season, before playing Dwyane Wade’s Miami Heat an interviewer asked him how he was feeling going into the match. The Warriors' ForwardTop 10 All-Time Trash Talkers in Sports 1. He talked trash to opponents, coaches, his own teammates and also silenced the. ”. Draymond Green, known for his excellent defensive skills, is also a superb communicator on the court. Today’s NFL might not have as many great trash talkers as it did in the days of T. A list of the NBA's biggest trash talkers of the past and present, from Michael Jordan to Kevin Garnett to Dillon Brooks. ESPN. Original: Oct 12, 2023. Joel Embiid, the charismatic and prodigiously talented center, has established himself as a dominant force in the NBA thanks to his rare combination of size, skill, and agility.