This is something I've been wondering about for the last couple of years, especially with the baseball steroid scandals. Look at the list of NBA-ready high schoolers from the last couple of years: Amare Stoudamire Lebron James Dwight Howard I'm sure more knowledgeable posters could add to the list... Now look at the list of players that were physically prepared to play in the NBA out of high school from 1974-1999: Moses Malone And even he was described as lanky - his contributions that year were based on his fire and energy more than a sculpted NBA-type body. Now think back at pictures you've seen of Lebron and Amare - doesn't it make you wonder? Both of them are more muscular than 95% of their opponents in the league. I've seen plenty of muscular high-schoolers...but when you consider how hard it is for people to put on muscle when they are going through huge growth spurts like a 6'8 person must, it seems even more unlikely. Most people end up up looking like a string bean until their bodies have had a few years to catch up. Now add in the lure of the pro game, and agents and advisors likely telling these kids that if you take this stuff, you'll dominate high school even more and get to jump straight to the pro ranks. Anyone agree with me?
Just because a couple of baseball players are guilty of using 'roids doesn't mean we should just randomly "out" basketball players.
You forgot Chocolate Thunder and that baby maker Shawn Kemp. They both came out labeled as physically ready for the NBA. I don't know if the recent players are "juiced" or not, but as others have said, NBA has a more strict drug policy and testing.
If there is a problem, it would be my guess that it sits (for the most part) in HS or, to a lesser extent, college. The NBA has a pretty strict system for testing, though no one has it stricter than the NFL. If kids are taking, they're probably doing it in high school, where it's easier to get away with it, and they're still trying to fill out their scrawny bodies. The flipside is, unless you're a Shaq wannabe, you'll discover quick that bulk can be as much a hinderance as a help in the NBA game. Quickness and explosiveness are the end all be all, and the more weight you're carrying (and not even Kemp-weight), the more they suffer. Check out how lean Jordan was in his prime. Kobe today. Iverson. If they had a Ben Wallace frame, they'd be out of a job. Even centers have to be aware of it. If they can't get up and down the court, they're riding pine. Carrying the extra pounds is also inviting serious tendonitis and arthritis. Shaq again is a prime example. In this sport, your lower joints take a sickening amount of pounding. Every time a player lands, it's a shock on the knees and ankles. Now imagine adding 10 pounds to that. Now imagine your knees having to take a landing with 250 to 300 pounds on top. Steroids isn't as much a concern as uppers like ephedrine (or other), honestly. Even today, most players are chugging Red Bulls before games (a Francis and Mobley fav, IIRC). Evan
Now, there's a thought. Get Red Bull to give Yao a drink supply before every game and watch him turn it on. That stuff is pretty potent.
I don't know about basketball, but a friend of mine played HS football, and he swears that half the starters on his team were on the juice. Given the money I've seen parents spend on sports camps and private leagues, etc., it wouldn't surprise me if some athletes push things to the max even in high school.
