interesting article. It's a scene that 5'5" Earl Boykins has lived through dozens of times. Upon arriving at an arena he's stopped by a security guard asking to see I.D. "People aren't used to seeing a normal-sized guy playing in the NBA," says the second-shortest player in NBA history. (At 5'3", Muggsy Bogues leads the list.) Boykins, raised by his 4'11" mother, Charlene, and his 5'8" father, Willie, in Cleveland and two inches shorter than his sister, Charnella, has endured small indignities along the way. When he was three, Willie carried him to the rec center in a duffel bag; at Central Catholic High an Eastern Michigan recruiter thought Boykins was a ball boy; at his last NBA stop, Golden State, Boykins couldn't quite see eye-to-eye with 5'6" coach Eric Musselman. And it was in Golden State that the sound man would play It's a Small World when Boykins checked into the game -- until the point guard told him to cut it out. The 28-year-old Boykins, who has a four-year-old son with his wife, Keyan, dwells on the positives. He's strong -- he can bench 315 pounds -- and quick, and he surprises opponents. ("You think you have a passing lane, and then, boom, Earl races in to take it away," says Magic center Tony Battie.) He also gets 50-plus fan letters a week from parents thanking him for inspiring their undersized kids. "I don't look at my height as a disadvantage," says Boykins. "I'm unique. So's Shaq, and he's won three championships." those arms don't look like they can bench 315.
benching is more about pectoral muscles than arm strength. It deals with your pecs and then your triceps. You'd be surprised at what guys can (and can't) bench.
I believe he can actually bench 315. I've seen many short and slim guys bench press well over 225 (2-45's on each side and extra weights) at the 24 Hour Fitness so I know it can be done.
i believe he can do it. it's definitely not something you can judge just looking at a guy in a pitcture particularly a professional athlete. some guys are just strong. plus it didn't say how many times he had to put it up.
LMAO. I can believe that he can bench 315. As someone who benches on a regular basis, guys who are his frame have an advantage over someone like me. I am almost 6'3" and weigh 190 lbs and have very long arms. For me to do one rep on the bench, it takes a lot more out of me than a guy like Boykins who is short. For someone like him to do a rep, he has such a shorter distance to go down and than back up. I work out with one guy who is 54, is about 5'6" and weighs like 170 and I have seen him do 290 one time and also bench 170 23 times!! Oh and 225 is always (at least standard) 2 45 pound barbell plates on each side as the bar itself weighs 45 pounds (an Olympic bar).
i know that shorter ppl can bench more since they have shorter arms and thus less distance to move the bar but its hard for me to imagine Boykins who is prolly like 5'5 and 130 lbs maxing out at 315...guys who can max out 315 r almost always stocky dudes not quick, skinny guards like boykins...maybe boykins does one of those 1/4 reps that u see ppl do in the gym sometimes with the bar moving about an inch down and then back on the rack haha...or possibly he does 315 with someone helping him...I'll believe it when i see it if its tru
All I know is what I've heard. I still know people with the team. They've seen him do it. Full rep. I do'nt see what the big deal is. It doesn't matter if he could bench press Shaq's ass off of him if he keeps shooting like he is.
As reference, Ben Gordon also benched about 300 (or more) when he was at Uconn. You'd be suprised what NBA guards can do. On the other hand, Allen Iverson supposedly used to not go to the team gym because he was embarrased he couldn't bench anywhere near anyone else. It varies for everyone.
Avery Johnson was able to bench a ton of weight, too. You'd be surprised by how strong some of the shorter guys in the league are. 2004 Pre-Draft Camp Combine Results (Bench Press, 185lbs) Josh Childress 11 reps Luol Deng 5 reps Ben Gordon 12 reps Devin Harris 5 reps Dwight Howard 7 reps Kris Humphries 22 reps Andre Iguodala 4 reps Luke Jackson 13 reps Al Jefferson 3 reps Shaun Livingston 0 reps Jameer Nelson 15 reps Emeka Okafor 22 reps Peter John Ramos 2 reps J.R. Smith 5 reps Josh Smith 12 reps Kirk Snyder 19 reps Check out Jameer Nelson's (5'11, 190lbs) results versus, say, 6'10", 265lb Al Jefferson's.
I think its highly unlikely that he can bench 315. I am 5' 6" and my weight varies from 150 - 165, and my "guns" are considerably larger than Boykins. By comparison, my max bench (ever) is 285. My max at 10 reps is 235. I don't know how many reps I can do at 185 (I usually don't work that light ) , but I would guess between 15 and 20. Using me as a comparison, the only guys on that list who might bench 315 are Emeka or Humphries. I have been lifting for almost 30 years and have never seen anyone with Boykins' physique put up 3 bills or more. But who knows.
