Centers' head at rim level

[elementally morale]

Which centers can/could elevate so that their head is legitimately at rim level? Show me some proof if you can.

Here is Kareem or Ka-rim.

http://herculeanum.blog.hu/media/image/2009/kareem_rim.jpg

[HighFlyer23]

werent baskets lower back then?


here's shaq

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0sYKghh8ao&feature=related

[elementally morale]

werent baskets lower back then?


here's shaq

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0sYKghh8ao&feature=related


I'm not sure it is Shaq there.... Are you? It looks like pro editing more than anything.

[Luigi]

I'm not sure it is Shaq there.... Are you? It looks like pro editing more than anything.

It wouldn't surprise me. He has the highest touch measured in a draft combine.

[StroShow4]

Dwight Howard obviously can. I'm not going to bother finding a picture, no need for proof, we've all seen it.


Stro used to get his head around the rim level on a pretty consistent basis. :pimp:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e371/StroShow4/screenshots/stroscreenshot.jpg

^He appears to be pretty close right there.

[Abraham Lincoln]

"What's unfortunate is that most people regard the great leapers as being only the short guys who could dunk," said the 7-1 1/16 Wilt Chamberlain. "My sergeant [vertical leap] was higher than Michael Jordan's. When I went to Kansas, they had a 12-foot basket in the gym, because Dr. Phog Allen was advocating the 12-foot basket. I used to dunk on that basket. It was an effort, but I could do it."

Wilt Chamberlain claims that his sergeant, during his prime, was "46 to 48 inches, easy."

Legends abound of the truly great leapers who could touch the top of the board. Almost always the feat involves money-claims that the player could grab a dollar bill off the top of the board, or could pluck off a quarter and leave two dimes and a nickel change ... "I defy anyone to say they took change off the top of the backboard," Chamberlain said. "I could. Someone would put a quarter up and I'd snatch it down. I've heard stories about Jackie Jackson doing it, but I've never seen anyone else come close." Sonny Hill, a Philadelphia leaping legend of the '60s, backs Wilt, saying, "The only man that's been to the top, that's Wilt. I asked Kareem if he ever did, and he could jump a little bit. He told me, `Sonny, no.'"

[gyu]

http://neswsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dwight-howard.jpg

[HighFlyer23]

I'm not sure it is Shaq there.... Are you? It looks like pro editing more than anything.


it is ... he does it in this vid too

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUE_0LRxtpU

[Scoooter]

If Kareem got up there, I'm sure Wilt could have. David Robinson. Shawn Kemp?

Dwight Howard, too. (http://neswsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dwight-howard.jpg)

Athleticism! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o5_jGvyVvo)

[elementally morale]

OK, so the list as of now is:

Wilt
Kareem
Howard
Shaq (maybe... it seems a few inches, like 2 inches shorter to me)

Who else?

[gyu]

Couldn't find any pics but it would surprise me if Ralph Sampson and Darryl Dawkins couldn't do it.

[kwajo]

I don't have photos, but I guarantee David Robinson could do it, he was as much of an athletic freak as Howard, if not more so.

[elementally morale]

If Kareem got up there, I'm sure Wilt could have. David Robinson. Shawn Kemp?

Dwight Howard, too. (http://neswsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/dwight-howard.jpg)

Athleticism! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o5_jGvyVvo)

Shawn Kemp wasn't much of a center I think. More like a PF. Robinson was athletic, but I can't remember his head having been at rim level. He could have done that, I simply can't remember.

Do you have a pic or something?

[hayden695]

Add Rasho Nesterovic to the list. No need for proof, we all know he can.

[Showtime]

almost:

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0903/cbk.rich.clarkson.ncaa.photos/images/1970_ArtisGilmore.jpg

[Luigi]

Add Rasho Nesterovic to the list. No need for proof, we all know he can.

This list is helpful for players that attended a combine:
http://www.draftexpress.com/nba-pre-draft-measurements/?page=&year=All&sort2=DESC&draft=0&pos=5&sort=11

Highest touch is interesting. If anyone wants to do some math or make a spreadsheet, you could take max vert and add height to get rid of the wingspan issue...but I think touching the top of the backboard is more applicable to basketball.

[Abraham Lincoln]

I don't have photos, but I guarantee David Robinson could do it, he was as much of an athletic freak as Howard, if not more so.
Indeed, Robinson is the more appropriate physical comparison as far as body type for Howard instead of Shaq. Yet he didn't have D-Rob's blazing speed, quickness, or agility.

[elementally morale]

almost:

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0903/cbk.rich.clarkson.ncaa.photos/images/1970_ArtisGilmore.jpg


This picture has to be fake. Look at the guys wrist and the white line (rectangle)... is strange, isn't it? (just kidding, wristband)

[Scoooter]

Shawn Kemp wasn't much of a center I think. More like a PF. Robinson was athletic, but I can't remember his head having been at rim level. He could have done that, I simply can't remember.

Do you have a pic or something?
Eh, Kemp got listed at the 5 sometimes, but it was a bit of a reach (hence the question mark). No pics of Robinson, but he was so tall and athletic, I'm sure he could have done it.

[kwajo]

Best photo I could find in a hurry of DRob's head near the rim:

http://doubledribble.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/robinson-above-the-rim.jpg

[HighFlyer23]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGj4W9V-wCk

pause @ :15

[Showtime]

This picture has to be fake. Look at the guys wrist and the white line (rectangle)... is strange, isn't it? (just kidding, wristband)
He's wearing a white wristband, and his wrist is at that level, therefore it looks like one line, but closer inspection shows it isn't. And it is a legit picture of Artis Gilmore at Jacksonville, who was an athletic beast.

[gyu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGj4W9V-wCk

pause @ :15
Thanks :cheers:

[gyu]

Darryl Dawkins looks to be at rim level on play number 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeqKjXKGrFI

Dunking over 3 guys while doing it too

[elementally morale]

He's wearing a white wristband


Yeah, see my white text. :cheers:

[OldSchoolBBall]

Hah, I noticed the wristband thing too when I first saw that pic. There's a famous clip of Ralph Sampson in college catching an alley with his head at rim level from the side. Sick ups for a 7'4" guy.

[elementally morale]

Wilt
Kareem
Howard
Shaq (maybe)
Gilmore
Swift
Dawkins
Sampson
Robinson (maybe)


Anyone else?

[eliteballer]

I wouldn't doubt Ewing being able to do it before his knees went.

[CB4GOATPF]

Wilt could definetly do get his head above the rim in his 20s

http://wiltfan.tripod.com/pictures.htm

Pics: Track 1 and Philly 2

http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/5932/trackp.jpg

Ralph Sampson

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/si_online/covers/images/1981/0330_large.jpg

http://www.bcallstarsbasketball.net/photos/ralph_sampson.jpg

[B]Darryl Dawkinks was 6

[L.Kizzle]

Wilt
Kareem
Howard
Shaq (maybe)
Gilmore
Swift
Dawkins
Sampson
Robinson (maybe)


Anyone else?
Larry Nance most def. Shawn Pimp probably.KG.

[MeLO MvP 15]

JR smith... and back in the day kmart used to get up there (still does)

im not just saying cuz they nuggz

[weavaliciousnes]

i think you misunderstood what the word "center" means

[Rake2204]

http://www.bcallstarsbasketball.net/photos/ralph_sampson.jpg

I'll admit I truly do not have any real concrete evidence or knowledge of whether most players mentioned here have had their heads at rim level so I'm not saying a lot of these guys being mentioned can't rise that high per se, but I will say the pictures offered as evidence are often a little misleading. Pictures taken at variable lengths below the rim will often distort how high a player really is in comparison to the rim. Further, the closer a player is to the photographer in comparison to the rim will also alter perception.
http://www.movesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/wilt-chamberlain-ma-66.jpg

[momo]

werent baskets lower back then?


here's shaq

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0sYKghh8ao&feature=related


R U Serious?

[Toizumi]

Big guys? What about:

Amare Stoudemire (#32)
Chris Andersen
Tyrus Thomas


And this one might seem strange, but I'm sure that Sheed could do it in his prime. People forget how sick his hops used to be. If you have - check this mix (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWaN18LeyD4) (not by me).

The guys I mentioned are C/F's and not traditional Centers...

[plowking]

"What's unfortunate is that most people regard the great leapers as being only the short guys who could dunk," said the 7-1 1/16 Wilt Chamberlain. "My sergeant [vertical leap] was higher than Michael Jordan's. When I went to Kansas, they had a 12-foot basket in the gym, because Dr. Phog Allen was advocating the 12-foot basket. I used to dunk on that basket. It was an effort, but I could do it."

Wilt Chamberlain claims that his sergeant, during his prime, was "46 to 48 inches, easy."

Legends abound of the truly great leapers who could touch the top of the board. Almost always the feat involves money-claims that the player could grab a dollar bill off the top of the board, or could pluck off a quarter and leave two dimes and a nickel change ... "I defy anyone to say they took change off the top of the backboard," Chamberlain said. "I could. Someone would put a quarter up and I'd snatch it down. I've heard stories about Jackie Jackson doing it, but I've never seen anyone else come close." Sonny Hill, a Philadelphia leaping legend of the '60s, backs Wilt, saying, "The only man that's been to the top, that's Wilt. I asked Kareem if he ever did, and he could jump a little bit. He told me, `Sonny, no.'"

Well we have to believe it if Wilt said it.
:oldlol: at you actually thinking Wilt has a higher jump than Jordan.

[twolvesfan]

ryan hollins

[abuC]

I'll admit I truly do not have any real concrete evidence or knowledge of whether most players mentioned here have had their heads at rim level so I'm not saying a lot of these guys being mentioned can't rise that high per se, but I will say the pictures offered as evidence are often a little misleading. Pictures taken at variable lengths below the rim will often distort how high a player really is in comparison to the rim. Further, the closer a player is to the photographer in comparison to the rim will also alter perception.
http://www.movesmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/wilt-chamberlain-ma-66.jpg


Thank you, some of these pics are at ridiculous angles where you really don't know how high they actually are.

[ShaqAttack3234]

I believe Artis Gilmore, Dwight Howard, Wilt, Shaq, Ralph Sampson and maybe Darryl Dawkins. There's a good chance that David Robinson could have done it as well.

I don't believe Kareem's head was as high as rim level, it was taken with him in front of the rim by a few inches which creates the illusion that he's higher than he really was. I'd say he probably missed it by a few inches.

Shaq may have missed it by a couple of inches(depending on whether he was noticeably closer to the camera than the rim), but that dunk was from his late 20's when he was also heavier than he was in Orlando. I have no doubt young Shaq could have done it.

Same with Wilt who comes very close here at age 34. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tt13a6b_uA Pause at 2:05. Wilt could definitely do it in his younger days.

Kemp, Nance and Swift are power forwards. Tyrus Thomas is barely a PF, much less a C/F as well.

[StroShow4]

Kemp, Nance and Swift are power forwards.

Swift's natural position would most definetly be power forward, but I think he played center more than enough to qualify.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Swift's natural position would most definetly be power forward, but I think he played center more than enough to qualify.

Nah if his natural position is PF(a position he's also played a lot) then he's a PF IMO. Stoudemire has a better case for qualifying as a center than Swift does IMO.

[HighFlyer23]

joe alexandar

http://content.draftexpress.com/gallery/General/1211177907.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VBZ7LvD4Wg

[StroShow4]

Nah if his natural position is PF(a position he's also played a lot) then he's a PF IMO. Stoudemire has a better case for qualifying as a center than Swift does IMO.

Swift played the backup center role for the Grizzlies for a long time. He played some center for the Rockets, Nets, and Suns as well. He is better suited to play the power forward postion, but he played center alot. He qualifies.

[ShaqAttack3234]

Swift played the backup center role for the Grizzlies for a long time. He played some center for the Rockets, Nets, and Suns as well. He is better suited to play the power forward postion, but he played center alot. He qualifies.

I disagree if it's not his primary position, but we're splitting hairs here. For what's it worth he is about as tall as Darryl Dawkins and Dwight Howard.

[G-train]

joe alexandar

http://content.draftexpress.com/gallery/General/1211177907.jpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VBZ7LvD4Wg

He is tiptoeing on a ladder.

jokes

[G-train]

I think 90% of power forwards play backup centre.

[elementally morale]

I think Kareem's head was at the rim, legitimately.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYc9G7UWxls

@ 5.10

His body was a bit bent to the left, that gives an inch or two extra, so it is rim level I think.

[StroShow4]

I think 90% of power forwards play backup centre.

I'm saying that Stro's main role at times though... like he was playing alot more C than PF.

[JG000]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG3yIgH2yF4

^ Joe Alexander

[gyu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG3yIgH2yF4

^ Joe Alexander
Small forward, at most a power forward.

[ProfessorMurder]

Well we have to believe it if Wilt said it.
:oldlol: at you actually thinking Wilt has a higher jump than Jordan.


Wilt could f*cking jump dude.

"as a youth, he high jumped 6 feet, 6 inches... and broad jumped 22 feet"

[BarberSchool]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/sivault/multimedia/photo_gallery/0901/history.jan29/images/larry-nance.jpg

Co-sign Ralph Sampson also.

[Flightposite]

Wilt could f*cking jump dude.

"as a youth, he high jumped 6 feet, 6 inches... and broad jumped 22 feet"

There's video of him competing in a high jump contest. It's not that impressive and Richard Jefferson recorded better jumps than that in HS. Although in Wilts day they used some ****ty technique. That said, Wilt could definitely get level with the rim, but Michael Jordan elevation? no.

[HighFlyer23]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG3yIgH2yF4

^ Joe Alexander

already mentioned

[ShaqAttack3234]

Maybe Greg Oden when he was in college?