The 5 Most intense NBA players: Where Rockets’ Russell Westbrook ranks

One of Russell Westbrook’s best qualities is the intensity he brings for the Houston Rockets every night. So, how does he compare to the rest of the NBA?

Basketball is an intense sport, and the NBA has had its fair share of intense players throughout the years. As you’d expect with one of the most competitive leagues in the world, there have been hundreds of players that have seemed to show extra emotion and fire on the court. Russell Westbrook is one such player for the Houston Rockets.

Westbrook has worn his emotions on his sleeve since he entered the league in 2008. From forming rivalries with other guards to talking trash to flexing, the Brodie holds nothing back when he’s out on the hardwood.

Russell is hardly the first player to have such passion for the game on and off the court, however. When looking at the history of the game and its most intense players, names like Michael Jordan, Kevin Garnett, Dennis Rodman and Kobe Bryant come to mind.

Having at least one or two ultra-competitive, intense players on a roster can make the difference between a contending team and a championship team, as the four names just mentioned can attest to.

With the All-Star break now upon us, I wanted to take a moment to appreciate the most intense players still active in the league to see where Houston’s own Russell Westbrook ranks among them. I’ll start with number five.

Next: No. 5