Could an 8-footer survive in the NBA?

[Point forward]

Until now, the tallest player ever in the NBA is 7-7 (Muresan), and the tallest legit NBA star is Yao, who is 7-6. So, could an 8-footer make it, or if not, where do you see the cutoff height?

Mr 8-Footer would probably be utterly useless in the open court and could not dribble to save his life. But could swat just about any shot coming at the basket, pluck rebounds at shoulder height and dunk BOWING DOWN. If he has the slightest bit of talent in him, he could master a sky hook that would make Kareem blush.

So, could a guy this tall make it? For illustration purposes, here a pic of the tallest man in the world, 8-5 (!!) Leonid Stadnik.

[Rocky5000]

well, how tall is he without the hat on?

[sule]

he's in an apple orchard with tall kids

he's not 8 feet tall

[aikgtd]

Sure an 8 footer can survive in the NBA...as long as he is better than Shawn Bradley, Gheorghe Muresan, and other tall men who were just mediocre.

[Schad]

he's in an apple orchard with tall kids

he's not 8 feet tall

He is 8'5", Guinness-certified.

And a player that height would be worth their weight in gold...if the three-second rules did not exist. As it is, a player requires sufficient lateral mobility to get into the lane on penetration and block shots, and the mobility to guard their man in the post; no height advantage would matter if the opposing center beats them by four steps to the rim.

This is why Kenny George is a shot-blocking monster in the NCAA, but is unlikely even to be drafted; he simply doesn't have the quickness to do anything but foul at the professional level.

[Point forward]

Talent is always an issue, but I don't know if 8 feet are too much for a body to maintain coordination. I mean, if Jordan were 8 feet, I think even MJ would move around like a giraffe on stilts.



"This year Leonid Stadnik was named the world's tallest man. Standing at 8 feet, 5 inches, he is seven inches taller than the former record-holder Bao Xi Shun."

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/popup?id=3887210

[Basileus777]

A player that tall probably couldn't stay healthy. Almost all players over 7'3" are injury prone, especially with regards to their feet.

[goat:manu]

i still doubt that he's really 8'5....
but NBA should draft him just to protect the pain... and people will be pleased to see that even it's only for 2 minutes....

[hermes]

Talent is always an issue, but I don't know if 8 feet are too much for a body to maintain coordination. I mean, if Jordan were 8 feet, I think even MJ would move around like a giraffe on stilts.

(picture)

"This year Leonid Stadnik was named the world's tallest man. Standing at 8 feet, 5 inches, he is seven inches taller than the former record-holder Bao Xi Shun."

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/popup?id=3887210

man that picture just makes him look awkward walking, compared to that short guy

[10scott10]

here is the thing. there are a lot of people who are 7 feet tall who are unathletic. but then again a select few are athletic enough to play. it would be unlikely that he would be very athletic, but he could be decently fast. think about how much distance he could cover in a single step. think about the wingspan. if a guy like that tall had been playing basketball for the 10-15 years that many NBA players have when they enter the NBA, i don't see why he couldn't.


this is assuming, he has decent knees, but that was included in the athleticism assumption

[kooldude]

if the 8 footer is athletic, especially good body coordination, then yes of course he can. finding an athletic, well-coordinated 7 footer is hard enough, so if there's one at 8 feet, he'll be a god.

[UrbanLegendMD]

Kinda looks like Eli Manning, only less awkward.

[MalReyn]

If one could, it'd be a once-in-a-lifetime player. I think Yao Ming, at "only" 7'6", is already a once-in-a-lifetime player.

There's a reason NBA players have topped out at 7'6" or 7'7". As you get taller, it gets harder and harder to maintain the coordination necessary to play at an NBA level.

Reminds me of a kid named Neil Fingleton. 7'6", played well in high school. A few years back he got a scholarship to UNC. Never played, he just wasn't fast enough to even compete at a college level (much less NBA).

EDIT: Let me just add, watch Margo Dydek play in a WNBA game if you get the chance. The way she absolutely towers over the competition makes me think of what an 8' player would look like in the NBA.

[superLuigi21]

just reading this topic makes me wonder: how the F does yao not dominate more? he has rare size AND skill

[carrottop12]

just reading this topic makes me wonder: how the F does yao not dominate more? he has rare size AND skill

McGrady curse.

[heatwillbeback]

as long as the big guy has normal athleticism

a lot of big guys suffer from that gigantism disease, and those guys cant survive in the NBA.

[BRINGTHEPAIN]

An 8-foot African would survive.

[exkonvict]

I would average 100 points if I was 8 feet tall.

[Da big3]

Kinda looks like Eli Manning, only less awkward.

yea, i thought i was the only one who thought that

say isnt Kenny George 7'8 thats kinda close to 8 ft.......

[Friend_Of_Haley]

EDIT: Let me just add, watch Margo Dydek play in a WNBA game if you get the chance. The way she absolutely towers over the competition makes me think of what an 8' player would look like in the NBA.

lol