Average height of NBA: Are players, today, too tall to be fair?

[GammaGlobulin]

Dear Folks,

 

Have you ever considered the height of most NBA players today?

 

They are tall, right?

 

Do you think it’s fair that the NBA is able to select such tall men, without giving due consideration to us shorter guys?

 

Would it not be more “just” if the NBA were to set an average team height which is the same as the average height of the American male?

 

In this way, more men would be able to have an equal chance to play pro ball, and to reap hugely oversized salaries.

 

Here is the average height of present-day NBA players:

 

And, here is the average height of American males:

 

 

Can we not see a bias here in the present-day drafting of players for the NBA, just based on height, alone, and not on other equally admirable qualities, not to mention equal rights to play ball?

 

Is this fair?

 

Also, is this entertaining???

 

No, it is not fair.

And, no, it is also not entertaining for most shorter sports fans.

 

Obviously, it would be far more entertaining and equitable to set the maximum average-player’s height at 5 feet 9 inches..And to have some players shorter, or taller, at the coach’s discretion.

 

Personally, I would love to see a team composed of 5 players, ranging in height from 7-feet tall down to 4.5-feet tall.  This would make the dull game of pro-ball far more entertaining, and level the field a lot.

 

Short guys would then enjoy watching NBA basketball…that much more.

 

I realize that, these days, America is becoming far more merit-based. But still, short guys have merit too, and they surely can play ball, when they want to.

 

Would you not prefer to see a much more heterogeneous population of "team players" on each team of the NBA, composed of both super-short guys, as well as super-tall guys, plus an average guy?

 

I would.

 

Would you be more interested in watching American basketball if this tallness-bias could be totally eradicated from pro-ball?

 

Remember, back in the day, the great Harlem GlobeTrotters?

 

They were not tall, but they were truly great. 

Also, they were true Americans.

 

I just hope that Trump will look into this, and fix it, when he has time to do so.

 

Super-tall is not a handicap.

Therefore, why should the super-tall players receive this type of special consideration?

 

Not Fair!!!!!

 

Best regards,

Gamma

 

Note: This kind of height-based favoritism really makes one mad.  Obviously, short/average guys have rights, and they want to play, too. 

 

 

 

 

[hotsun]

Steph curry is only 6’1”, arguably a better basketball player than anyone else. No excuse for anyone thinking they arent good enough for the NBA

 

can a 5’9” guy be an NBA player? If he can pass and shoot threes its possible.

 

if youre 7 feet then you have an easier road but it doesnt mean youre a good basketball player

 

 

if curry didnt exist then youd have a point. Curry is so good that when he dribbles and the ball doesnt end up where he wants, then theres usually uneven flooring responsible

[bkk6060]

The tallest ones look like freaks.  Some sort of chromosome mix up I think.

And, they traditionally seem to not live a long life. It would be a terrible life not finding a long enough bed, ducking all the time for doorways, everyone staring at you, finding a proper sized sex mate.

I would never want to be one of them look like they should be in a circus.

[PomPolo]

@GammaGlobulin you are being very 'heightist' I am going to contact the DEI committee and report this one 🤣

[Presnock]

6 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Dear Folks,

 

Have you ever considered the height of most NBA players today?

 

They are tall, right?

 

Do you think it’s fair that the NBA is able to select such tall men, without giving due consideration to us shorter guys?

 

Would it not be more “just” if the NBA were to set an average team height which is the same as the average height of the American male?

 

In this way, more men would be able to have an equal chance to play pro ball, and to reap hugely oversized salaries.

 

Here is the average height of present-day NBA players:

 

And, here is the average height of American males:

 

 

Can we not see a bias here in the present-day drafting of players for the NBA, just based on height, alone, and not on other equally admirable qualities, not to mention equal rights to play ball?

 

Is this fair?

 

Also, is this entertaining???

 

No, it is not fair.

And, no, it is also not entertaining for most shorter sports fans.

 

Obviously, it would be far more entertaining and equitable to set the maximum average-player’s height at 5 feet 9 inches..And to have some players shorter, or taller, at the coach’s discretion.

 

Personally, I would love to see a team composed of 5 players, ranging in height from 7-feet tall down to 4.5-feet tall.  This would make the dull game of pro-ball far more entertaining, and level the field a lot.

 

Short guys would then enjoy watching NBA basketball…that much more.

 

I realize that, these days, America is becoming far more merit-based. But still, short guys have merit too, and they surely can play ball, when they want to.

 

Would you not prefer to see a much more heterogeneous population of "team players" on each team of the NBA, composed of both super-short guys, as well as super-tall guys, plus an average guy?

 

I would.

 

Would you be more interested in watching American basketball if this tallness-bias could be totally eradicated from pro-ball?

 

Remember, back in the day, the great Harlem GlobeTrotters?

 

They were not tall, but they were truly great. 

Also, they were true Americans.

 

I just hope that Trump will look into this, and fix it, when he has time to do so.

 

Super-tall is not a handicap.

Therefore, why should the super-tall players receive this type of special consideration?

 

Not Fair!!!!!

 

Best regards,

Gamma

 

Note: This kind of height-based favoritism really makes one mad.  Obviously, short/average guys have rights, and they want to play, too. 

 

 

 

 

Not only the NBA but the NFL too....  in one of the college playoffs, Georgia Tech linemen were reportedly 389 poouds! by the way just look at the stats https://hortonbarbell.com/average-size-of-college-football-players-by-position/  when I was in HS, I played football with a line that averaged 220 yet I only weighed 110 and was still able to contribute to the team.  Seeing how big the folks are today, I couldn't even consider playing let alone wanting to.

[GammaGlobulin]

2 hours ago, PomPolo said:

@GammaGlobulin you are being very 'heightist' I am going to contact the DEI committee and report this one 🤣

 

I am not the only one.
Even Randy Newman.

He never once sang about tall people.

 

[GammaGlobulin]

1 hour ago, Presnock said:

Not only the NBA but the NFL too....  in one of the college playoffs, Georgia Tech linemen were reportedly 389 poouds! by the way just look at the stats https://hortonbarbell.com/average-size-of-college-football-players-by-position/  when I was in HS, I played football with a line that averaged 220 yet I only weighed 110 and was still able to contribute to the team.  Seeing how big the folks are today, I couldn't even consider playing let alone wanting to.

 

You mean, 110 kilograms.

[Presnock]

18 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

You mean, 110 kilograms.

nope, pounds both for the average of my HS football line and for myself too.  Today I only weigh 66 kilos (soaking wet of course.)

[Stiddle Mump]

Good for you to highlight this GG. 

 

I personally think that American Basketball is a waste of space and for anyone who watches it; a waste of their time.

 

There are three things that could be done immediately for it to be a decent sport.

 

1 - Make the net just one metre high. Help the height chllenged people.

 

2 - Make the net 10 metres high. That would stop all that dunking and ridiculous swinging on the hoop.

 

3 -Put strings across the pitch at 1.75 metres high. Put bells on them, Any player who runs into one, and rings the bell, get sent off into the sin bin.

 

[GammaGlobulin]

1 hour ago, Stiddle Mump said:

Good for you to highlight this GG. 

 

I personally think that American Basketball is a waste of space and for anyone who watches it; a waste of their time.

 

There are three things that could be done immediately for it to be a decent sport.

 

1 - Make the net just one metre high. Help the height chllenged people.

 

2 - Make the net 10 metres high. That would stop all that dunking and ridiculous swinging on the hoop.

 

3 -Put strings across the pitch at 1.75 metres high. Put bells on them, Any player who runs into one, and rings the bell, get sent off into the sin bin.

 

 

These are actually ALL much needed improvements to the game, if only the government would mandate the changes.

 

Only thing, though...

Can we change the string-across-court to braided wire, or maybe even electrified-fence wire?

 

And, what about having not just one basket, but two baskets on each side of the court (4 total, of course)?

They could have one height for height-challenged people, and one for the super-tall people.

 

And, right, NO SWINGING on hoops.

I hate that.

 

[Gottfrid]

How can it be too tall to be fair. Have you reached a new status in universe, and now have the ability to limit peoples height?

 

You do understand, that it´s quite normal for people to seek success in the place they fit in and have a better chance, right?

 

I thought you were a little bit smarter than this!

[chickenslegs]

11 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Dear Folks,

 

Have you ever considered the height of most NBA players today?

 

They are tall, right?

 

Do you think it’s fair that the NBA is able to select such tall men, without giving due consideration to us shorter guys?

You should have saved this topic for April 1st, and presented it as a factual report of the latest DEI rule for the sport.

[save the frogs]

I have a 2 part question for you, Gamma.

a) How short are you?

b) Do you ever take a day off?

 

 

[GammaGlobulin]

41 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

I have a 2 part question for you, Gamma.

a) How short are you?

b) Do you ever take a day off?

 

 

 

In centimeters?

218 centimeters.

[save the frogs]

11 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

In centimeters?

218 centimeters.

do you mind if i answer your questions with questions?

 

your threads have been dominating the "popular in the pub" for what appears to be weeks now.

 

are there no anti-monopoly rules on AN?