MythBusters - Does size really matter?

[ATF]

Why is a lack of height still viewed as a stigma in the evaluation of basketball talent? Time and time again,"vertically challenged" players come along and prove you're only as big as you think you are....
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDD5GAivH7c[/youtube]

Jason Maxiell is 6'7", Tyson Chandler is 7'1".

Enter Wingspan.

There's an interesting article on what qualifies as "freakish wingspan" in the league( http://m.bleacherreport.com/articles/864549-nba-basketball-what-qualifies-as-a-freakish-wingspan-in-the-league ). It does a good job of explaining the importance of length compared to height, and just how much more advantageous it is to shorter players.

At the end of the day, your hand can reach a lot higher than your head. Just ask Jason Maxiell.

Should height always be a deal breaker?

[Kerrsed]

That video is more about timing than wingspan. Its also about balls. A large majority of players now a days wont even try to block a dunk like that because they dont want to be posterized all over ESPN. Thats one of the things i love about Dragic. How many times has he been dunked on like that Rose dunk? Its been alot, but its because he doesnt care and he actually tries to get the block no matter what.

[TruthTelling]

Dude that is why they measure standing reach at the combine but I don't want to disrupt your illusions but anthony benett despite a 7'1 wingspawn will have a below average standing reach bc a 7'1 wingspawn is nothing unusual for 6'10 players. Amare had a wingspawn like that.

If you think undersized does not matter in the NBA go ask Thomas Robinson.

[ATF]

Hi TruthTelling,

So we can count you along with the Kings as given up on Robinson before his rookie season is in the books. Unless jumping is banned, i don't see height as an insurmountable advantage at all. As 2 Suns legends can attest, whom at 6'6", 6'7" respectively, were some of the most dominant rebounders in our franchise's history.

It doesn't hurt Bennett's case that he has the tools necessary to overcome his size concerns. The Bounce and the Length to make it count. The Aggressiveness, he stepped into an experienced UNLV 25+ win team and instantly became their #1 option best player rebounder. The advantage in "quicks" over bigs. The Strength. And perhaps the most important, Motor, lots of players carve out a living on that skill alone, Bennett has talent outside of motor.

Remember the last 6'7" forward we drafted out of UNLV? He went on to contribute greatly to our organisation, manning both forward positions effectively, and is now a world champion.

[ATF]

And what the hell is a wingspawn? sounds like something you'd see in the bathroom after too much wing-stop. Holy crap, it's Al Simmons bro! Kudos, if you got that last one.

[thamadkant]

For PF and C
Important measurements
#1 Standing reach
#2 height
#3 Wingspan

Technically Wingspan goes hand to hand with Standing reach, but as in the case of Chris Bosh... LONG NECKS are a waste. Shoulder height is linked directly with standing reach.

Wingspan, you can have someone with additional 3-4 inches on their height but it could be due to them having wide shoulders.... GOOD for NFL players and strength related sports... but Basketball is a contact sports... may actually be detrimental to shooting mechanics. This trait could be important in PG, SG, SF who can use extra width in wingspan to cover passing lanes, but rather standing reach for PF/C who needs to protect the paint and make shots difficult for penetrators.



For PG, SG, SF
#1 Wingspan
#2 Height
#3 Standing reach

#2 and #3 can be interchangeable... Standing reach is ideal for a "defensive" guard, so they can challenge shots better.
But as a passer and playmaker.... height matters, to be able to see over the defender.
So you can say, for offensive oriented players, height is important moreso than standing reach.

Wingspan is critical for both offensive and defensive because it allows them to have a bigger "work envelope" (google the meaning of that if you dont know). Benefits offensively and defensively.

[garrick]

Yeah you do see shorter guys getting great blocks but where length really comes into play is defending in the post where you can't really gather yourself for a maximum jump.
In those situations a 7 footer who might not necessarily be able to jump so high has the advantage over a 6'8-6-10 player who has greater athleticism.

[RunSunRun]

Came into this thread expecting something completely different,

[Kerrsed]

Came into this thread expecting something completely different,

I know what you came for, so i shall deliver:



Now you will have to google it yourself for the full picture.

[ATF]

1UPZ,


You're on point with that analysis. But for your Maxiells, wingspan and standing reach, (which are interchangeable to some degree) are extra beneficial and take precedent over height (This exact point is made in the article).It also gives them an advantage not only blocking shots but as you said, poking the ball loose and playing the lanes. Take Anthony Bennett's body double Draymond Green (6'7"-7'1" WS) his standing reach is 8'10", Anthony Davis' (6'10"-7'5" WS) is 9'0". That basically reduces the difference in height.

[ATF]

I guess it comes down to if you're willing to write off a prospect no matter how talented, over a relatively small (inches) difference in stature. Especially since most of those inches can be made up for in wingspan/standing reach.

[ATTL]

Came into this thread expecting something completely different,

I had my post planned already as soon as I saw the title. Just find a short girl if you're concerned about it.

As to Bennett's size, I'm sure he's fine downstairs.

Basketball wise he is short for a power forward, slow for small forward. I don't want a tweener or undersized players with our top pick. The list of undersized 4's that were great in college but flopped in the NBA is staggering. Stay away.