Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 28464 Location: LA --> Bay Area
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 5:50 pm Post subject: NBA Listed Heights Ruined My Sense Of Height Perception
Back when I was a kid I'd see guys listed 6'5" in the NBA, and be like, "wow, they really don't look that big on the TV." Of course, I chalked it up to me watching them on the TV, as most would.
Now though, it's so obvious NBA heights are terribly off. This is old news to 80% of you probably, but a new picture recently came out that cements that point.
Here's 6'3" listed Steph Curry with 6'1" (confirmed by his Presidential physical back in 2008) Obama:
They are, for all intents and purposes, the exact same height, with Curry edging him slightly (though he IS closer to the camera, giving him an advantage).
So if you think of Curry as 6'1", that automatically lowers the heights of those around him as well (compared to their listed heights at least).
I know these guys are pretty close to their listed heights in shoes, but that's pretty BS. Basketball shoes give like 1.75" of height, basically the male version of high heels.
So whenever I see a legit 6'4" or 6'5" person in real life I'm always blown away initially, because they look way more gigantic than the 6'2" dudes listed at that height in the NBA (like Jordan Clarkson, for instance). I realize now that legit 6'5" dudes are often listed 6'7" in the NBA.
The difference between 6'2" and 6'4" might seem minimal on paper, but switch that up to 5'10" and 6'0 IRL and you get a better idea of how significant that difference can look.
Anyways, this post has no real purpose other than to serve as a vessel for my OCD observations. NBA guys are usually seen as SUPER tall, but honestly the 1s and 2s are pretty normal sized, and even the 3s you'll see everyday on your average college campus. What separates most 1s, 2s, and 3s from the normal population isn't height, but talent and athleticism.
I don't know. When you account for the fact that SC is bending towards Barry O and POTUS is standing as straight as he can, I see about 1.5 to 2" between the two. _________________ “It took many years of vomiting up all the filth I’d been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able to walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here.”
― James Baldwin, Collected Essays
Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 28464 Location: LA --> Bay Area
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 6:22 pm Post subject:
KobeBryantCliffordBrown wrote:
I don't know. When you account for the fact that SC is bending towards Barry O and POTUS is standing as straight as he can, I see about 1.5 to 2" between the two.
Yeah but that angle is very generous towards Steph. Plus Obama has probably lost height in his 50s, so wouldn't be surprised if he's 6'0" and change now.
This is what 2008 Obama looks like next to a real 6'4" person (if Curry were 6'3" he'd look close enough to them):
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90307 Location: Formerly Known As 24
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 7:16 pm Post subject:
Curry was measured at 6-2 in bare feet and 6-3 and change in shoes at the combine. _________________ “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel
Chris Webber mentioned the height fraud issue tonight during the call of the Warriors - Cavs game (re: Draymond Green). Height overstatement has been a known deception in professional sports for years (the NFL is notorious for this, too). I remember that Charles Barkley was listed at 6'6" for most of his career; but most people seemed to understand that he was probably 6'4" on a good day (which makes his rebounding prowess so much more impressive).
Anyway, some side notes ...
Steph Curry came up about 4 foot nothin' in this nationally televised game ... I'd be surprised if he didn't compromise a significant portion of whatever MVP lead he had going into this game. The formidable EC media was front and center for this disappearing act after the 1st quarter. And if LeBron plays like this against the Rockets on Sunday against Harden, the MVP race is shaping up to be a good one down the stretch.
His TOs are really ridiculous (the sloppiness would drive me crazy if I was a Cavs fan) and so is his lack of focus on the offensive end sometimes, but he makes 42 - 11 - 5 in a game like this seem easy (I thought GS was an "elite" defensive team?). Also, Draymond Green is really developing a rep. as an unlikeable player ... I guess he might be one of those guys you hate until he's on your team, but I find him annoying as F ...
Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 28464 Location: LA --> Bay Area
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 8:33 pm Post subject:
the association wrote:
Chris Webber mentioned the height fraud issue tonight during the call of the Warriors - Cavs game (re: Draymond Green). Height overstatement has been a known deception in professional sports for years (the NFL is notorious for this, too). I remember that Charles Barkley was listed at 6'6" for most of his career; but most people seemed to understand that he was probably 6'4" on a good day (which makes his rebounding prowess so much more impressive).
Yep. Honestly, if you are a legit 6'4"/6'5" at night like a Kobe, Barkley, or Liam Neeson, and are built like a tank, you're definitely PF material in the NBA. I'd take that player 10/10 times over someone soft down low like a Kevin Love or Jordan Hill.
And yes, I did take the time to research all that. The NBA height facade has maddened me for years.
I see maybe 3" of height differential between Curry and Fallon (between Fallon's robust head of hair and Curry's bad posture, that's my best guess) ... that puts him at what? 6'2" ... close enough, I guess.
Chris Webber mentioned the height fraud issue tonight during the call of the Warriors - Cavs game (re: Draymond Green). Height overstatement has been a known deception in professional sports for years (the NFL is notorious for this, too). I remember that Charles Barkley was listed at 6'6" for most of his career; but most people seemed to understand that he was probably 6'4" on a good day (which makes his rebounding prowess so much more impressive).
Yep. Honestly, if you are a legit 6'4"/6'5" at night like a Kobe, Barkley, or Liam Neeson, and are built like a tank, you're definitely PF material in the NBA. I'd take that player 10/10 times over someone soft down low like a Kevin Love or Jordan Hill.
Neeson FTW ... I always suspected his very particular set of skills would translate onto the hardwood. Plus, he's "only" 6'4", but his "length" is "elite" ... I read somewhere that he enjoys a 79" wingspan ...
I don't know. When you account for the fact that SC is bending towards Barry O and POTUS is standing as straight as he can, I see about 1.5 to 2" between the two.
Yeah I agree, look at the neck and shoulders of curry.
What distance is the camera? I dont think his head being a few inches closer will make a huge difference at that camera length. Easy to think that Curry is 6.2+ in this pic.
I don't mean to pick on Curry, either. If Derrick Rose truly is 6'1.5" (and I don't doubt celebheights, those guys are WAY more OCD about this than I am), that puts a lot of doubt into the heights of Westbrook, Wall, and especially Paul, who I always thought was a 5'10" dude.
Last edited by Don Draper on Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:17 pm; edited 2 times in total
Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 28464 Location: LA --> Bay Area
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:13 pm Post subject:
dont_be_a_wuss wrote:
KobeBryantCliffordBrown wrote:
I don't know. When you account for the fact that SC is bending towards Barry O and POTUS is standing as straight as he can, I see about 1.5 to 2" between the two.
Yeah I agree, look at the neck and shoulders of curry.
What distance is the camera? I dont think his head being a few inches closer will make a huge difference at that camera length. Easy to think that Curry is 6.2+ in this pic.
And yes, I did take the time to research all that. The NBA height facade has maddened me for years.
I see maybe 3" of height differential between Curry and Fallon (between Fallon's robust head of hair and Curry's bad posture, that's my best guess) ... that puts him at what? 6'2" ... close enough, I guess.
That's 2" at most. Fallon doesn't have as much of a hair advantage as you'd think...Curry isn't bald. I'm still sticking with 6'1" for Curry...it's debated whether Obama even brushes that mark himself, and Fallon often gets pegged at 5'10".
Well, I wouldn't take this one to the mat anyway ... you're probably closer to the right answer. And you did much more research, so I capitulate ...
Incidentally, I watched Chris Bosh on NBA TV earlier in the season (I think ... it may have been TNT). I am 100% certain that the camera angle or pitch of the studio floor (or some other magic I cannot explain) created an optical illusion because Bosh looked AT LEAST 8" shorter than Shaq ... he also looked like he weighed 180 lbs, but that's not the point ... can Ernie Johnson's height really be within 4 inches of Bosh's? I ask because that's what it looked like ...
Depth perception, field of vision, lenticular lenses, crowned floors, pink eye, beer goggles, rods and cones, I don't know what the F it was ... but Chris Bosh was 6'5" that day. I know that ...
I don't mean to pick on Curry, either. If Derrick Rose truly is 6'1.5" (and I don't doubt celebheights, those guys are WAY more OCD about this than I am), that puts a lot of doubt into the heights of Westbrook, Wall, and especially Paul, who I always thought was a 5'10" dude.
I don't know. When you account for the fact that SC is bending towards Barry O and POTUS is standing as straight as he can, I see about 1.5 to 2" between the two.
Yeah I agree, look at the neck and shoulders of curry.
What distance is the camera? I dont think his head being a few inches closer will make a huge difference at that camera length. Easy to think that Curry is 6.2+ in this pic.
Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 28464 Location: LA --> Bay Area
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:25 pm Post subject:
the association wrote:
Don Draper wrote:
dont_be_a_wuss wrote:
KobeBryantCliffordBrown wrote:
I don't know. When you account for the fact that SC is bending towards Barry O and POTUS is standing as straight as he can, I see about 1.5 to 2" between the two.
Yeah I agree, look at the neck and shoulders of curry.
What distance is the camera? I dont think his head being a few inches closer will make a huge difference at that camera length. Easy to think that Curry is 6.2+ in this pic.
I've seen people defend dissertations with less research than you're putting into this one ...
I can't prove this (well I can but I don't feel like it), but I won a certain website's height guessing competition based on viewing pictures alone. My guesses were usually within half a centimeter of the person's actual height. So I would say that my height credentials are PhD level for sure.
I don't know. When you account for the fact that SC is bending towards Barry O and POTUS is standing as straight as he can, I see about 1.5 to 2" between the two.
Yeah I agree, look at the neck and shoulders of curry.
What distance is the camera? I dont think his head being a few inches closer will make a huge difference at that camera length. Easy to think that Curry is 6.2+ in this pic.
I've seen people defend dissertations with less research than you're putting into this one ...
I can't prove this (well I can but I don't feel like it), but I won a certain website's height guessing competition based on viewing pictures alone. My guesses were usually within half a centimeter of the person's actual height. So I would say that my height credentials are PhD level for sure.
That's probably a pretty difficult skill to monetize, but so is the coursework and research underlying a doctorate in history, so ... anyway, it sounds worthy of a hood to me ...
Last thought on the height issue ... I was listed at 6'2" and 215 lbs. in high school in the 90s ... I was really just over 6'1" (at best) and probably closer to 205 lbs. ... I think the facade of projecting more imposing dimensions is as old as man ... I feel like everyone did it on our team anyway; QB was maybe 6' and change ... program also had him as 6'2" ... anyway, the internet seems to make people feel like they're 11 feet tall, so it's getting worse, I guess ...
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:56 pm Post subject: Re: NBA Listed Heights Ruined My Sense Of Height Perception
Don Draper wrote:
Back when I was a kid I'd see guys listed 6'5" in the NBA, and be like, "wow, they really don't look that big on the TV." Of course, I chalked it up to me watching them on the TV, as most would.
Now though, it's so obvious NBA heights are terribly off. This is old news to 80% of you probably, but a new picture recently came out that cements that point.
Here's 6'3" listed Steph Curry with 6'1" (confirmed by his Presidential physical back in 2008) Obama:
They are, for all intents and purposes, the exact same height, with Curry edging him slightly (though he IS closer to the camera, giving him an advantage).
So if you think of Curry as 6'1", that automatically lowers the heights of those around him as well (compared to their listed heights at least).
I know these guys are pretty close to their listed heights in shoes, but that's pretty BS. Basketball shoes give like 1.75" of height, basically the male version of high heels.
So whenever I see a legit 6'4" or 6'5" person in real life I'm always blown away initially, because they look way more gigantic than the 6'2" dudes listed at that height in the NBA (like Jordan Clarkson, for instance). I realize now that legit 6'5" dudes are often listed 6'7" in the NBA.
The difference between 6'2" and 6'4" might seem minimal on paper, but switch that up to 5'10" and 6'0 IRL and you get a better idea of how significant that difference can look.
Anyways, this post has no real purpose other than to serve as a vessel for my OCD observations. NBA guys are usually seen as SUPER tall, but honestly the 1s and 2s are pretty normal sized, and even the 3s you'll see everyday on your average college campus. What separates most 1s, 2s, and 3s from the normal population isn't height, but talent and athleticism.
Generally, the listed heights of basketball players are 0.5-2.0 inches higher than their barefoot heights.
The average American male is 5'9"
The average NBA shooting guard, without shoes, is about 6-4, and the average point guard is about 6'2".
So they are much taller than average, but there are millions of people as tall as them. And sure, no NBA point guard is in the league primarily because of his height.
But I think all that information is about as shocking to most people as the information that Tom Cruise is short.
I've spent time around NBA players and overall they sure seemed damn tall to me, and I am about 5'10"
Last edited by activeverb on Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:59 pm; edited 2 times in total
Joined: 10 Apr 2001 Posts: 65135 Location: Orange County, CA
Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2015 9:57 pm Post subject:
rwongega wrote:
Makes sense. Kevin Love's listed at 6'10" but in person, he looked 6'8.
Because, that's how he's measured?
Kevin Love
Year Source Height w/o Shoes Height w/shoes Weight Wingspan Standing Reach Body Fat No Step Vert Max Vert
2008 NBA Pre-Draft Camp 6' 7.75" 6' 9.5" 255 6' 11.25" 8' 10" 12.9 29.5 35.0
Oh yeah, about Curry.
Year Source Height w/o Shoes Height w/shoes Weight Wingspan Standing Reach Body Fat No Step Vert Max Vert
2009 NBA Draft Combine 6' 2" 6' 3.25" 181 6' 3.5" 8' 1" 5.7 29.5 35.5
I don't mean to pick on Curry, either. If Derrick Rose truly is 6'1.5" (and I don't doubt celebheights, those guys are WAY more OCD about this than I am), that puts a lot of doubt into the heights of Westbrook, Wall, and especially Paul, who I always thought was a 5'10" dude.
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