$15 Current NBA Players Who Emulate Michael Jordan\'s Competitiveness$

15 Current NBA Players Who Emulate Michael Jordan's Competitiveness

By Frank Ewere

15 Current NBA Players Who Emulate Michael Jordan's Competitiveness

Michael Jordan Hornets — Most people regard Michael Jordan as the greatest player of all time. Jordan was known for his competitiveness and his willingness to do whatever it takes to win. Jordan even once punched a teammate during practice. Here are 10 current NBA players who emulate Jordan’s competitiveness on a nightly basis.

15. Draymond Green

Draymond Green Warriors

15. Draymond Green

Draymond Green Warriors — Green may talk a lot, but he backs it up. Whether he’s helping defend the paint or switching onto a perimeter player, Green isn’t willing to concede any points to his opponents. He also won’t allow other players of his position to believe that they are better than him.

14. Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo Mavericks

14. Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo Mavericks — Rondo may be stubborn, but stubbornness is another effect of competitiveness. When Rondo was with the Boston Celtics, he was continually a triple-double threat. All Rondo needs is a situation where he has veteran leadership and a coach who is willing to believe in him.

13. Matthew Dellavedova

Matthew Dellavedova Cavaliers

13. Matthew Dellavedova

Matthew Dellavedova Cavaliers — Dellavedova is an undrafted player who made headlines this past postseason after he exceeded expectations. His defense and willingness to put his body on the line exemplified his passion. The only problem was that his passion sometimes put other players at risk as well.

12. DeMarre Carroll

DeMarre Carroll Hawks

12. DeMarre Carroll

DeMarre Carroll Hawks — Carroll sprained his left knee in the Eastern Conference Finals, but he still managed to play in the series. His competitive spirit just wouldn’t let him sit on the bench and not be able to go against LeBron James. Carroll’s hunger to be on the floor even earned him a new contract with the Toronto Raptors.

11. Patrick Beverley

Patrick Beverley Rockets

11. Patrick Beverley

Patrick Beverley Rockets — Beverley didn’t get to play in this past postseason, but he was missed. After all, it was a couple of years ago that Beverley injured Russell Westbrook after Westbrook was just trying to take a timeout. When a player won’t relent even though a team is taking a timeout, that player’s drive can’t be questioned.

10. Lance Stephenson

Lance Stephenson Clippers

10. Lance Stephenson

Lance Stephenson Clippers — Jordan brought Stephenson over to the Charlotte Hornets last season because of Stephenson’s competitiveness, his talent and because he competed hard against LeBron James. But unfortunately, Stephenson’s play wasn’t good enough and the Hornets had to trade him.

9. Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah Bulls

9. Joakim Noah

Joakim Noah Bulls — Noah is also a player who competes hard against James. When Noah was healthy, he won a Defensive Player of the Year award and he was widely regarded as one of the toughest centers in the league.

8. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant Thunder

8. Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant Thunder — Durant is known to be a nice guy, but that doesn’t stop him from being nearly unstoppable on the court. If the man who is sometimes known as “The Slim Reaper” would just shoot a little more, he would be the player most similar to Jordan in terms of competitiveness and willingness to win no matter what.

7. Manu Ginobli

Manu Ginobli Spurs

7. Manu Ginobli

Manu Ginobli Spurs — Ginobli was drafted with the 57th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft. Being a late draft pick means that the player will usually have a chip on their shoulder. Although San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich said Ginobli doesn’t have the same talent that Kobe Bryant has, Popovich does believe Ginobli’s competitiveness is second to none.

6. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce Wizards

6. Paul Pierce

Paul Pierce Wizards — Pierce is a champion who is supremely confident. He talks on and off the court a lot, but he has the “it” factor to back it up. He was a large reason why the Washington Wizards took a step forward this season.

5. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett Timberwolves

5. Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett Timberwolves — Garnett is a player who is loved by his teammates but hated by his opponents. Although Garnett appeared to be sometimes crazy, his competitiveness can never be in doubt, especially with his championship ring that he won while on the Boston Celtics.

4. Chris Paul

Chris Paul Clippers

4. Chris Paul

Chris Paul Clippers — Paul is often compared to a pitbull because of his fire towards the game of basketball. Paul sometimes goes over the edge with that fire sometimes (evidenced by his repeated “low blows” towards opponents and his past attitude towards teammate DeAndre Jordan), but Paul has the heart of a champion.

3. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade Heat

3. Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade Heat — Wade single-handedly brought the Miami Heat down from a 2-0 deficit and managed to win the 2006 NBA Finals in his third season in the league. Even though Wade has pride, he does whatever it takes to win. He has sacrificed more than any player in Miami Heat history.

2. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook Thunder

2. Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook Thunder — Westbrook is like a demon when he is on the court. He is always playing at 100 miles per hour and attacking the basket relentlessly. He even said that he doesn’t compete in the dunk contest because he only dunks on people.

1. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant Lakers

1. Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant Lakers — Bryant is the closest thing to Jordan since Jordan. Bryant’s playing style and demeanor are practically a replica of Jordan’s. If Bryant’s team was better, Bryant could be competing for a ring and showing why he is almost exactly like Jordan.

Frank Ewere is a Beat Writer for the New Orleans Pelicans on www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheFrankEwere, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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