Basketball is a sport that people from different walks of life have enjoyed in the last century or so. It’s a hobby, game, or their favorite pastime, but for some, it’s a profession. Before becoming a professional basketball player, one must be extremely skilled, talented, dedicated, and passionate to at least qualify for the top 1% of ballers.
But, one attribute that a player must also have is … STRENGTH. Not just in mind, but also in terms of physicality. In the NBA, we’ve seen strong guys in the past like Shaquille O’Neal, Karl Malone, Alonzo Mourning, and many many more. Let’s take a look at the who’s who of 2023’s strongest NBA players and where your favorite guy ranks on our list.
5. Joel Embiid
2023 MVP Joel Embiid may be a huge flopper, but his strength is unmatched, at least in NBA 2k. The evidence of that is his NBA 2k24 Strength rating of 95, which is the best in the video game.
Aside from his virtual counterpart, Embiid is really a strong center. His size and mobility are two perfect ingredients that make him an elite and strong finisher on the post.
4. LeBron James
LeBron has always been tough to guard, not because he’s a lights-out shooter or because he is a flashy finisher, but because he’s as strong as a bull. A LeBron on transition is almost impossible to defend, and even if you try to wrap your hands around him, he’d still be able to get through it and score the and-1.
The King is a generational talent and his physique is one of one. Have you ever seen a 6-foot-9 guy who weighs 250 pounds do the things he can do? He’s already 38 years old and has entered year 21 but he still moves like he is 28. Although, the $1.5 million he spends on his body might be the reason why he’s always been in top shape.
3. Zion Williamson
Just look at that man! He’s 6-foot-7 but weighs around 280 to 300 pounds of stone-hard muscle. Well, Zion may have been overweight at some point, but the 2-time All-Star will bully defenders on any given day.
Dubbed the “human bulldozer”, the high leaping forward can put defenders in a “holding for dear life” situation because of how strong he can finish to the rim. Whether be it during transition, in the post, or even in mid-air, Zion is completely unstoppable strength-wise. It’s very impressive to see a guy of his size have a 45-inch vertical. The only thing that’s actually holding him back is his health. Injuries have plagued his career, forcing him to sit a lot of games. If only Zion isn’t frequently injured, the Lord only knows what this beast of a man can do.
2. Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis Antetokounmpo, the once scrawny 18-year-old kid managed to bulk up and transform himself into the most dominant player today.
Shaq comparing Giannis to himself really speaks a lot, considering that The Diesel was a force to reckon with in his time. Every time Antetokounmpo drives, he attacks the basket hard like his life depends on it. Well, he isn’t called The Greek Freak for no reason. Although some call him “unskilled” (ahem, James Harden, ahem), “only knows how to dunk”, and that he “travels a lot”, there’s no denying that he is still one of the best to ever play the game.
1. The Strongest NBA player award goes to: Steven Adams
Not only does Steven Adams look like DC’s Aquaman, but he may even be just as strong as the submariner superhero. The New Zealand native is definitely the strongest player in the NBA in recent memory. Have you seen him carry another player of his size on the court like it was nothing?
Adams may also be built like a brick wall and you’re going to regret ever forcing your way into his hard screens. Although he’s super strong and formidable, the Kiwi baller is a actually very nice guy and is one of the most beloved players today.
