What NBA Player do you admire?

[Fcuk Orlando]

I would have to say Chris Paul because I like his playstyle and if I ever joined the NBA I would like to be like him.

[Jackal]

Kobe Bryant.

Work ethic at it's best.

Tim Duncan.

Fundamentals at it's best.

[JaoSming]

Paul Pierce - Heart and Perseverance at its best in the NBA.

[Alejandrov011]

Manu Ginobili at the World Cup 2002 and Athens 2004


Very proud =)

[GoHornets]

I would say Chris Paul because of his lidership or Garnett for his pasion.
Those are my top picks.

EDIT: Forgot about Leon Powe.

[bowdown]

brandon roy - talented yet humble
Garnett - hard work
Chris Bosh - he is just too cool

[Lamrock]

Gilbert Arenas - for hard work, after being drafted low. Granted, he can be pretty obnoxious at times, but I know if I was an NBA superstar, I would have a blog and have a huge ego.

Steve Nash - seems like a really nice guy, and is a great player on top of it.

Keith Van Horn - Is still able to make megabucks for doing nothing.

[Alejandrov011]

Keith Van Horn - Is still able to make megabucks for doing nothing.

Amen, he's my hero

[debiler]

All players who play rock-hard defense, but by that make it possible for other players to shine.

[Billie]

Kobe Bryant - People hates him because he's so good.

Jason Kidd - The triple-doubles.

Gilbert Arenas - The clutch shots and the fact that he's drafted late and still making a name.

[dansensei]

KB24, simply because he's the best (sorry paul pierce)...

[Andrew]

Out of the players who are still active, probably Kevin Garnett. I remember when there was some fuss over his negotiations with the Timberwolves early in his career but he's gone out every year determined to earn every cent of the contract he signed. His talents, accomplishments and work ethic are all admirable in my book.

[The X]

Brandon Roy....he did his time in college, was an immediate impact player as rookie....he's a lot better than you'd think he will be....he's got very good fundamentals & doesn't just rely on freakish athleticism like a lot of young players coming into the league....

[el badman]

AI - determination, intensity
Duncan - fundamentals, work ethics

[shadowgrin]

AI - (what el badman said)

Brand - keeps on working without the need for accolades or recognition. (Need for compensation - yes, accolades - no)

Joe Johnson - god damn talented.

[Kbryant8]

i better say Mayo

[Its_asdf]

I admire Grant Hill's perserverance. A lot of people wrote off his career after his slew of injuries but he worked his way back up to a serviceable player (though still quite injury prone).

Like a few of you already said, Brandon Roy seems like a really good player to set as a role model in the NBA. Humble, did his time in school, fundamentally sound and was able to contribute right away.

I don't really admire one specific player, but for every different aspect I admire a different player.

[Andrew]

I admire Grant Hill's perserverance. A lot of people wrote off his career after his slew of injuries but he worked his way back up to a serviceable player (though still quite injury prone).

Grant Hill is definitely an admirable player and from all accounts a fine person to boot. Funny thing is, early on his career I didn't care much for him because of all the "Next Jordan" hype. I was much younger then and took exception to that, Michael Jordan being my favourite player and all, and somehow I got the idea from the hype that Grant Hill was really cocky, when it would seem he's actually the complete opposite.

[rdelizo35]

If we're talking about current players, I would have to say that I admire Kobe Bryant for his determination and drive to win.

I admire Dwayne Wade because, even though he's had a ton of injuries, he still just goes out there and gives his best effort.

I admire LeBron James because of his overall skills on the court. He is a bit cocky, but he is talented.

As for my all time faves, I'd say these:

Magic Johnson: his passing and being clutch especially in the playoffs. Was the floor general for all the great Showtime Laker teams in the 80's, plus he won five titles. The modern Big O.

Larry Bird: The best Celtic since Bill Russell, maybe ever. Not athletic but smart player, a winner, and one of the best shooters ever, in my opinion.

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar: One of the most misunderstood and most maligned players when in the league, 'Cap's "skyhook" was probably the best shot ever in the NBA by a big man in the post. Cerebral, intense, just one of the best the game has ever seen. 6 titles and 6 regular season MVP's help attest to his impact on the game.

Michael Jordan: 6 rings, member of the 72-10 championship Bulls, which was, arguably, the best NBA team ever. To quote Larry Bird: "He's God disguised as Michael Jordan."
Great player offensively and very underrated defensively. Favorite memory was when he buried the Blazers in the Finals with three pointer after three pointer and just shrugged. His last shot against Utah to capture his final title while with Chicago is stuff of legend.

[Dramacydal]

Allen Iverson. The biggest heart in the history of professional sports.

[Oskar]

Allen Iverson, the little giant.

[DanteDolge]

Shawn Kemp cuz hes was a sick finisher inside and he was a Pro boxer for a hot minute

[Matthew]

Alonzo Mourning, Bill Russell, Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman, Isiah Thomas... There's too many actually, but those guys are at the top.

[cyanide]

I most admire players who are professional, hard-working, humble, and not in it just for the money. This doesn't include constant whiners, cocky assholes, and quitters.

[Mikki]

Mike James = Confidence.