While reading about Hakeem's impending retirement, I got to thinking about this. I was always under the impression that Hakeem's height, usually given as 7-0 over the years, was always fudged a little bit. Wasn't his true height, even in shoes, something closer to 6-10? Thanks in advance for your comments and good luck to the Rockets this season.
Fan: Hey, kidrock, where are you going with that stick and shovel? KR: To the horse cemetary, of course. Fan: Oh...so what's the gun for?
Is the 6'10 3/4" number (which I have also heard many times) with shoes on, or without? At the rookie camps, they measure the players now with and without shoes, and give both listing. It is my understanding that the officially listed heights for the NBA are with shoes, which adds a least an inch to everyone's height. This is how Barkley can be listed at 6'6", etc. My guess is that Hakeem is 7'0" with thick-soled shoes on, and 6'10 3/4" in bare feet. Does anyone know the answer to this? Also, is Eddie Griffin as tall as Hakeem now? Or is his reported 6'10 1/2" with shoes on?
I am going to say that is with shoes. While at Seton hall he was listed at 6'9". Sure he may have grown some, but if it were 6'10 1/2" w/o I am certain he too would be listed at 7'. INTERESTING NOTE HOWEVER- Kevin Garnett has always been listed at 6'11" (he is actually 7'1") b/c he said he did not want a coah to ever consider putting him at center.
Thats a question that has to be asked....I dont think he is a rockets fan. Man could u imagine if they listed Eddie as a 7 footer? Man that would give us an offical "twin towers" for yrs to come, and it would finally give Houston the kind of double threat they desired when they drafted Sampson, and Hakeem, in consecutive yrs!
In which case I am no longer 6'1", I am now 7'1"...Somebody sign me up quick. I'll even consider a minimun contract.
Seems like... just as the main focus of this thread did. Look back at the pictures of Dream next to OT and you will see that Dream was shorter.
Media guides and starting line-up introductions like to hype a players height. It's about image. People like to think that centers should be a least 7 foot. So, they lie about it to please the fans. It makes them (the centers) seem more menacing... I think it's all crap! Just tell the dam* truth! They should introduce Kevin Garnet as 7'1". But they don't want to steal the lime-light from Shaq; they always say Shaq is 7'1", which is a lie. The next time the Timberwolves and Lakers play, you decide. Anyone remember the Charles Barkley introduction height? 6'6" my arse! He's 6'4". The fact that Charles was able to play power forward and rebound at 6'4" makes the feat that much more incredible. Lying only diminishes this accomplishment. Remember Mario Ellie, at small forward? He was listed at 6'5"... lie....how could this be since Gary Payton, at 6'4" was taller than Ellie? Basketball, Lies, and Videotape...
does anyone remember that the dream is not a rocket no more. and he talked all that trash about the organization. so if his greed were measured in height it would be 30 ft. high
I don't care what he said. He'll still be a Rocket in my mind and the only true Houston Champion. You can be a player hater all you want. Don't hurt yourself carrying around that 800lb. chip on your shoulder.
Before people start dumping on Hakeem for being greedy, consider this: No player still owed money under his contract has retired since Larry Bird in 1992. The Raptors made a contract. It did not work out well for them. Hakeem has every right to collect that money. He will not be allowed to play for another team, and he will be committed to the Raptors for the next two years (if he doesn't retire), despite not being able to play for awhile. What I really like is that the Rockets essentially got Bostjan Nachbar and Tito Maddox in exchange for a one-year lease on Hakeem and further salary cap complications for the Raptors. I like that trade for the Rockets!!!
