Charles Barkley on Blake Griffin | GQ's Greatest Five Under 25 in 2011

Charles Barkley on the Abusrdly Explosive Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin is everything a number one pick should be. He's come in and immediately improved the team and energized the franchise. He brings a certain amount of intensity from his college days that guys in the NBA aren't used to seeing. He's still out there like he's playing Texas on a Friday night, even if he's playing Golden State. The one thing he has to watch, and this comes with that competitive nature, is the technical fouls. There's no reason for him to be staring down Mario Chalmers. He can't get sucked into that. The real question is, can he do for the Clippers what LeBron did for the Cavs? Blake is definitely doing his part; he's made the Clippers popular again. Now it's up to the Clippers to do their part. We'll see if they can.

Reggie Miller on Stephen Curry | GQ's Greatest Five Under 25 in 2011

Reggie Miller on the Sweet-shooting Stephen Curry

Everybody's different when it comes to jump shooting—it's almost like fingerprints. People talk about his quick release: Stephen was pretty much born with it. Dell, his dad, probably had the quickest release of anybody I ever played against. It's nice to have good genes, but it also helps, when you're 5 or 6, to go to a shootaround with your dad or sit on his lap while he's watching game film. Steph has probably seen more drills and more situations than most players ever will. So I don't think a lot rattles him, which is very unusual in a young player. Not many three-point shooters can create their own shot without running off a series of screens: Ray Allen can, Kobe can, and Steph can.

via GQ

Isiah Thomas on Brandon Jennings | GQ's Greatest Five Under 25 in 2011

Isiah Thomas on the Pint-size, Crazy-quick Brandon Jennings

Brandon sets the league on fire with his ability to shoot the three-ball, stretch the defense, pass off the dribble, and penetrate into the lane. His first year out of high school, he played in Europe instead of in college, which turned out to be a great decision: By the time he came back, he was able to combine European qualities with his American game. The rules have changed to favor the point guard, and guys like Brandon are fully exploiting them. He's got an incredible personality, too, and that flair puts people in the stands. But I think to win championships, he has to decide—like LeBron did—do you want to win, or do you want to be liked? He's going to have to do some things that make people a little upset before he can get there

Via GQ

Moses Malone on Kevin Love | GQ's Greatest Five Under 25 In 2011

Moses Malone on the Ball-hawking Kevin Love

Everybody wants to shoot three-pointers. But getting the rebound? That's a man's world, baby. Kevin Love is a tough guy, and he wants the rebound. That's what I like about him. You got guys that are afraid of rebounds; we should kill them. Put 'em in prison. Come on, man! How many centers do you even figure they got in the league now? When I played, we had about twenty-eight, twenty-nine centers. Now they got three or four. The way I look at it, when you're a great rebounder, you're doing a lot more than a great scorer. Without the ball, them little bitty guys that want to shoot it ain't got an opportunity. Kevin also shoots the three, opens up the floor. He's got a nice jump shot; he's a great passer. And the main thing is: He's still learning.

via GQ

Is LeBron James The Most Stylish Athlete in the League? GQ Thinks So

"The concept of modern courtside sartorial style may have been pioneered by Michael Jordan, but after two decades LeBron James owns it. And not because he has the biggest closet in the NBA or because he is its flashiest dresser. It's because when LeBron struts into a room swathed in Purple Label, he has the swagger to pull it off. When wearing the simplest black suit, he understands that tailoring is key, cutting everything close to his nearly seven-foot frame. For LeBron, it's a world of custom Tom Ford suits and Gucci shoes, but none of this made-for-me stuff gives you great personal style unless you have the keen eye of someone determined to look good all of the time. He's got an opinion that I'd ask for anytime"

via GQ NBA GUIDE 2011