The strongest NBA players in history – ranked

Strength in basketball is different. It's about moving giants out of the way, securing a loose ball under the basket, and consistently jumping out of the gym to ensure a dunk, rebound, or blocked shot.

To be considered one of the strongest NBA players in history, a player must have a strong base, core, and upper body to meet any challenges presented on the first slide. Here are the strongest players in NBA history.

At 6 ft 9 in and 260 pounds of pure muscle, LeBron James has become synonymous with training and preparation excellence, keeping his body in perfect condition for over twenty years.

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James is a freak athlete with the strength and power to finish through any kind of contact and dunk with fierce aggression. His pure strength and power have helped him become a nightmare for the opposition on both the defensive and offensive ends of the ball.

At the NBA Draft Combine, Blake Griffin bench-pressed 185 pounds for 22 reps, equating to a 321-pound bench press for one rep. Griffin was always one of the most muscular players during his career, and his strength was always on show when he dunked the ball.

The six-time All-Star could jump out of the gym at any chance, showcasing his superior leg strength in the league. Griffin's relentless core and lower body workout routine allowed him to thrive and become one of the league's premier players.

Australian ox Steven Adams is regarded as the strongest player in the NBA today. According to HoopsHype, NBA player Brandon Clarke said: "He makes me feel like I shouldn't be out here. He's the strongest person I've ever played against."

With a 6ft11 and 250-pound frame, Adams claims his reputation as an 'immovable object' comes from his excellent balance. His pure core strength has allowed him to dominate the painted area and become known for his accurate long-range passing. Adams famously picked up 6ft11 center Tony Bradley and walked him to the other end of the court.

Dwight Howard had a monstrous physique during his NBA career. He was a force to be reckoned with during his first eight years in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards and becoming an eight-time All-Star.

Howard earned the mantra of 'Superman' for his super-human ability to dunk the ball and forcefully move players out of his way in the post. Howard is naturally strong and has been known to bench-press 365 pounds.

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Kevin Willis was a physical specimen during his 20-year NBA career. Due to his sheer size and strength, he stayed competitive and dominant throughout different eras.

According to Sports Illustrated, Willis was bench-pressing 400 pounds by 1991 and grabbed a career-high 15.5 rebounds the following year. The 7ft center returned to the NBA in 2007 at 44, making him the oldest player in the league. His strength and ironman training routine helped him play younger than he was.

Montenegrin mountain Nikola Pekovic is not a big name in the NBA, but he was a huge NBA player who players regarded as the strongest player they ever faced. Pekovic could supposedly bench-press 360 pounds and 'squat a dump truck.'

In 2012, NBA veteran Brad Miller said: "He's probably the strongest player in the league right now." His former teammate Anthony Tolliver said: "If he decides to get to a spot, you can't move him. As a defender, you can't really push him out of the way."

At 6ft9, Ben Wallace was probably suited to play power forward, but due to his power and strength, Wallace was dominant in the center position, becoming one of the best defenders and winning four Defensive Player of the Year's.

Due to his power in the paint, Wallace was incredible for the Detroit Pistons and holds the franchise record for most blocks of all time (1,486). Wallace claimed to have benched 460 pounds and was the first player to go undrafted and be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

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Karl Malone was a beast on the court, tormenting defenders with his unstoppable post-play and Hulk-like strength. His ability to cause havoc in the paint helped him score 36,928 points, which ranked him third all-time.

The two-time MVP and 14-time All-Star were as strong as he looked, and his gym routine was why he stayed at an impeccable level for 18 seasons. In 1997, the Utah Jazz strength coach said: "Karl can bench 350 and then sprint down to the other basket and bench 350 again." It's a testament to his fitness levels and sheer strength.

In his prime, Shaquille O'Neal was the most dominant force in the NBA, with three defenders needed to stop him from getting to the rack during his days in Los Angeles. At 7ft1 and over 315 pounds, the NBA had to increase the strength of the backboard after shattering two of them in his first season.

The 15-time All-Star and four-time NBA champion was built like a bodybuilder during his playing days and claims to have benched 415 pounds. The 'Big Diesel' is easily one of the most legendary and strong players the league has seen.

The most assertive and most dominant player in NBA history has to be Wilt Chamberlain. At 7ft1 and 275 pounds, there was no Match for Chamberlain in the 1960s and 70s, becoming the only player to average 30 points and 20 rebounds in a season, accomplishing it seven times.

It was commonly reported that Chamberlain could bench 500 pounds, and he claimed on a video that he could bench 600. The 600-pound claim looks to be false, as that was near enough a world record in the 1960s. He was a four-time MVP and a machine that couldn't be stopped in his heyday.

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