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Watch Dwight Howard Break Shaq's Vertical Reach Record for Sports Science

Discussion in 'NBA Dish' started by Clips/Roxfan, Nov 3, 2011.

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  1. Clips/Roxfan

    Clips/Roxfan Member

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    <iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L47CsyS93og" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

    Dwight Howard is the one and only Superman, and he went on ESPN's Sports Science to prove it.

    The previous record for the highest vertical reach was held by Shaquille O'Neal at an astounding 12'5", but Howard certainly wasn't going to take a backseat to the legendary center.

    Despite Howard getting up to slap a sticker on the backboard of the basket during the 2007 NBA dunk contest that was supposed to be 12'6", the size of the sticker made the mark unofficial, according to host John Brenkus.

    In order to solve that problem, Howard was hooked up with some tricked out scientific gear strapped to him and got ready to take flight.

    The result? Well, the first time Howard went up, he missed the mark just narrowly. However, in typical fashion, he certainly didn't back down, and the second attempt to achieve the mark came with success.

    Incredibly, Howard's vertical leap is measured at at astounding 39.5", and that's quite a feat for someone who weighs a whopping 280 lbs.

    Brenkus details how Howard exerts an amazing 1,210 lbs of force off of the ground, and generates over 1,500 watts of power in doing so.

    For comparative purposes, Brenkus states that if fellow high-flyer Nate Robinson could get off of the ground with the same power as Howard, his vertical leap could be an insane 61".

    It's crazy how athletic how Howard is, and I can't wait to see him throw down over the opposition for seasons to come.

    He could very well go down as the most physically dominant center to ever play the game.

    bleacher report link
     
    #1 Clips/Roxfan, Nov 3, 2011
  2. flamingdts

    flamingdts Member

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    Most physically dominant center?

    Not too sure about that. That title has Shaq's name engraved all over it and nobody is going to take that away from him anytime soon or in the future.

    He could very well be the most athletically gifted center though, but Wilt was an athletic freak as well.
     
    #2 flamingdts, Nov 3, 2011
  3. rimrocker

    rimrocker Member

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    There seems to be at least on other center who was somewhat athletic. I think he played for a team that had red jerseys. Let's see. Oh yes...

    HAKEEM OLAJUWON!

    Jeez, this is a Rocket board right? As in Houston Rockets?
     
    #3 rimrocker, Nov 3, 2011
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  4. flamingdts

    flamingdts Member

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    I was thinking of verticals when I typed that out, I have a bad habit of associating verticals with athleticism and agility with speed, coordination etc. but that's no knock of Hakeem, he has both.

    I guess Hakeem's coordination and skills sometimes shadow his athleticism :p
     
    #4 flamingdts, Nov 3, 2011
  5. Aleron

    Aleron Member

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    Shaq would have had more power since he was what, 45 lbs heavier than Howard?
     
    #5 Aleron, Nov 3, 2011
  6. rimrocker

    rimrocker Member

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    That wasn't what I was talking about (even though by most measures coordination and skills are measures of athleticism).

    Dream never took that test. Watch these highlights. At 1:04 he's in the same neighborhood as Dwight in a game situation without a running jump. Same with 2:15. And 5:04.

    <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uBrEsNS9zKg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    #6 rimrocker, Nov 3, 2011
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  7. ascaptjack

    ascaptjack Member

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    No point in arguing, The Dream had it all. Best defensive and offensive minded center in league History.

    He would have had at least 2 more if his teammates didn't get injured/hooked on crack.
     
    #7 ascaptjack, Nov 3, 2011
  8. Htown's2kFinest

    Htown's2kFinest Member

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    <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L47CsyS93og" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
     
    #8 Htown's2kFinest, Nov 3, 2011
  9. flamingdts

    flamingdts Member

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    I agree, they are close in the vert department, everything else... not very much.
     
    #9 flamingdts, Nov 3, 2011
  10. RedRedemption

    RedRedemption Member

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    Nope.
    James White demolishes them in terms of vertical.
    James can literally touch the top of the backboard.
     
    #10 RedRedemption, Nov 3, 2011
  11. Aleron

    Aleron Member

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    So can Dwight, he dunked on a 13' rim after all.

    This was a standing vert test.
     
    #11 Aleron, Nov 3, 2011
  12. Gutter Snipe

    Gutter Snipe Member

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    Most physically dominant center? How could you pick Shaq when you even mentioned Wilt's name in your post? You don't average 50 ppg with jump shots - he did it by dominating in the post.
     
    #12 Gutter Snipe, Nov 6, 2011
  13. RedRedemption

    RedRedemption Member

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    Can Dwight Howard do 360 and between the leg dunks from the free throw line? ;)
     
    #13 RedRedemption, Nov 7, 2011
  14. alverwi

    alverwi Member

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    Let's not go crazy with this sportscience video. He pushed off of the backboard with his other hand. Still, very athletic to be able to get that high, but I don't think we should consider this "record-breaking"
     
    #14 alverwi, Nov 7, 2011
  15. Jontro

    Jontro Member

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    Isn't Spud's leaping + dunking ability supposed to be more impressive than both these clowns?


    ok i just felt like saying clowns
     
    #15 Jontro, Nov 7, 2011
  16. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    Shaq is called the most physically dominant because he bulled people over on the ground, not because he jumped so high. Dwight and Wilt and Dream are/were great centers and maybe better in their own ways, but for muscling through people in the paint and dunking the ball even with a couple of defenders hanging on you, Shaq is the one.
     
    #16 JuanValdez, Nov 7, 2011
  17. jopatmc

    jopatmc Member

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    Brute Strength = Shaq
    Overall Athleticism = Hakeem
    Combination of Strength and Athleticism = Dwight
    Skills = Hakeem

    Combination of Skills, Athleticism, and Strength
    1. Hakeem
    2. Shaq
    3. Dwight
     
    #17 jopatmc, Nov 7, 2011
  18. JuanValdez

    JuanValdez Member

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    Where does Kevin Willis fall in all this?
     
    #18 JuanValdez, Nov 7, 2011
  19. txtodd

    txtodd Member

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    He can barely shampoo with his standing reach.
     
    #19 txtodd, Nov 7, 2011
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  20. Yung-T

    Yung-T Member

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    Most physically dominant centers?

    Shaq
    Wilt
    Kareem

    7'2 or 7'3 Dwight would be the top guy in that category, but at 6-11 he doesn't belong in the intimidating centers list.
     
    #20 Yung-T, Nov 7, 2011
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