Back in the old days, there're many quality big men like Robinson/Shaq/Yao... around or over 7ft tall. Even decades ago we had Chamberlain... Now we have 6'10", 6'11" guys(some in shoes) at the top of the draft boards. Why is that and where would the future great 7ft big men come from?
Right, I shouldn't include Russell here, and have udated the post. Thanks. Still it's hard to believe 7ft star big men are so rare nowadays. I can't even find many starting material ones currently playing, let alone stars.
Thought the same lol. Mikan 6'10, Thurmond 6'11, Russell 6'9, Walton 6'11, Reed 6'9, Unseld 6'7, Moses Malone 6'10, , Mourning 6'10. Hakeem, Ewing and Parish were listed as 7'0 but everyone knows they were not 7ft. The only great Centers above 7ft were Kareem, Wilt, Mutombo, Gilmore, Eaton, Shaq, Robinson.
A couple thoughts: I don't know why 7' is such an important thing for some folks. Is it just because we love whole numbers? Also, even as a physical freature alone, height doesn't really matter much by itself without considering arm length (standing reach, wingspan, etc.). You don't rebound or block shots with the top of your head. In any case, it is a myth that the NBA once had more giants than it does now. There have always been few true 7' guys. Back in the 1980s and 1990s, some of the really good ones got listed at 7' tall but are not. There were more really good post players for a while, but not really bigger ones.
This is probably a stupid question but I bet some of you have seen some of the yahoo news, well I came across this article of this 7'8 basketball player that plays for the harlem globtrotters his name is "Tiny" Sturgess....but my question is why has'nt anybody tried to sign him? I guess his basketball skill is limited to just being tall? But the guy is massive. And sorry I don't know have or know how to embed pics.
Your probably right lol but man that's a huge guy...people would probably pay just to see this guy play in person good or bad which why the globtrotters scooped him right up...I guess most of the bigs would be quicker and more athletic now days???
^^^ In addition to limited playing time, academic problems and lack of credits ^^^ prevented his college career from going as far as he would have liked.
Agreed. Though, if he plays like he should, he's not really like any of those historically great 7ft Centers. If he has a long NBA career (way too early to even mention him having a lasting career), he'll probably be remembered as a 7ft Power Forward. A Rockets fan can only hope the waiting for a star player is almost over with Motiejunas hiding in our shirt pockets. Shirt pockets = place where you put things that you really need, but only whip out when the time is right.
Aahhh I see....but they've had high schooler come in the league must of been too late.... maybe you're he's just not the sharpest knife in the drawer.
Right now, Tyler Zeller is way underrated. He's the second best center in the draft behind Davis. Yes, he is going to play center. And I suspect he's going to have a fine career. Great offensive skill set, good defender, and plenty big and will add about 20-30 lbs over the next 4 years. Wouldn't mind adding him with a pick if we can't get Davis, Sullinger, or Robinson.
I like Tyler Zeller, I think his ceiling may be a bit higher than he's being given credit for, but I do wonder whether he has all-star upside or whether he will "only" be a solid 30 minute a game starting caliber center (keeping in mind, that's very valuable these days!).
