Building an NBA title contender from Star Wars characters

Star Wars NBA contender Starting Small Forward: Darth Vader

Formerly known as Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader is the single most iconic character to stem from the Star Wars universe. A powerful force user who has training as both a Jedi and a Sith Lord, Vader is widely regarded as the most powerful character in the series. However, that isn’t what gives him his basketball skills.

Vader is an enforcer on the court who leads by example. He’s a killer on the low block and knows how to create for others due to his innate connection to the force. For that, he can thread the needle anywhere on the court with the flick of his wrist. Considering he’s led entire armies, Vader is certainly a floor general.

He isn’t without weakness, however. Standing at 6-foot-7, Vader is tall and strong but lacks the mobility necessary to keep up with some faster players at the small forward position. Needless to say, the guy in a big, clunky suit is known to get beat off the dribble here and there. However, he provides a layer of lineup versatility that’s necessary to a modern championship team.

Whether it be at the three-spot, as a small-ball five, or anywhere in between, Vader is going to make an impact on his team. If I had to estimate the type of player he’d be, I’d place him somewhere between Draymond Green without the chatter and Scottie Pippen without the quickness.