Mix and matching skills to visualize the ideal NBA player

Intangibles

IQ: LeBron James

If you’ve watched LeBron James over the years, you’ve gotten a small glimpse into the incredible ways in which his brain operates.

He knows every play from every position and can recount stretches with incredible accuracy. He also seems to know the sets of opposing teams and isn’t afraid to tell them how to run things.

Like a supercomputer, James is constantly absorbing data to use to his advantage. He is the ultimate on-court coach in ways that provide an advantage like no other.

Mentality: Giannis Antetokounmpo

In observing the way he attacks every game and his superstar contemporaries, it’s clear to see Giannis Antetokounmpo has taken to Kobe Bryant‘s famed Mamba Mentality.

While NBA players are getting together for offseason workouts, Giannis is rejecting the invitations of guys like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony.

It’s simply the way the Greek Freak views the game like Bryant before him, with a burning desire to usurp those looking for friendships that helped him reach his MVP status.

Physical Toughness: Steven Adams

Aside from the brute force of a Steven Adams‘ screen or boxout, this is the same guy who hasn’t let multiple hits to his nether regions keep him off the court. He’s suffered from vomiting and migraines before a playoff game — needing an IV — only to drop 15 points and 11 rebounds in 40 minutes.

There’s a natural level of physical toughness that comes from a man at 6’11” and 265 pounds. But only Adams had his forged from the experience of being the youngest of 18 kids growing up in New Zealand.

Swagger/Confidence: Trae Young

At 6’1” and 180 pounds, you don’t become a top-10 pick and one of the game’s brightest young stars without an inordinate amount of confidence.

That self-belief is what prompts Trae Young to launch shots closer to the halfcourt line, call out his detractors on social media and engage in twitter beef with fellow All-Stars.

Confidence can serve as the driving force for a lot of great things in life. Because of it, Young has gotten a lot farther in basketball than most had expected and will continue to rise in the coming years.

Passing: LeBron James

Passing may be viewed as a skill you can work on. But when you dish it like LeBron, there’s no teaching that.

James can read defenses from any spot on the court and crumble them with precision dimes. No matter the coverage or angle, he can fling a pass that lands perfectly into the pocket of a weak-side shooter or place a lob where only his teammate can get to.

Can a player become a more willing passer? Of course. But if you think any can develop the type of passes LeBron James has turned into his personal mixtape, you’re kidding yourself.

Leadership: Stephen Curry/Damian Lillard/LeBron James

Leadership comes in all different forms, where preference is subjective. Damian Lillard emanates loyalty and an us-against-them mentality. LeBron James fosters team unity and lets his daily routine speak plenty. Stephen Curry earns trust by sacrificing at every turn.

All three have a glowing list of endorsements from teammates past and present, which means you can’t go wrong with any. Which is best, however, depends on the structure and goal of a team in any given season.