NBA Players Average Weight And Size Since 1985

[jstern]

From 1984 to 2007

http://www.nba.com/news/survey_2007.html

I think this is a very interesting chart, for those who like to compare eras. I looked it up because someone was comparing human genetics to technology, like ipods vs walkman, etc.

Basically today's players are 6 pounds heavier, and just a tad bit shorter. Which to me kind of explains why I haven't seen pretty much any free trow line dunks since the last century. The average weight has been virtually the same since 1993-94. It seems players started lifting more weight 2 years earlier. I wonder what was happening in the league around that time for players feeling that they should add more weight, even though it's just a few pounds.

Edit: The average weight hasn't been exactly the same since 93, it went all the way up to 225 in 2002 - 2003, and then went down to 221. Perhaps because of the rule changes.

[magnax1]

I found the most interesting part that experience peaks out in 2000 right about when mid 90's highschool players started to hit their stride. I wish they got rid of the 1 college year rule.

[G.O.A.T]

The average NBA player in 1964:

6'5" 3/4
205.8 lbs

[Suckafree]

Edit: The average weight hasn't been exactly the same since 93, it went all the way up to 225 in 2002 - 2003, and then went down to 221. Perhaps because of the rule changes.

Maybe shaq and yao single handedly pushed the average weight up?
:eek:

[jn2rons]

I wonder what was happening in the league around that time for players feeling that they should add more weight, even though it's just a few pounds.


Just a guess, but I'd imagine that the weight increase was due to the fact that the teams had to add an additional 6-12 fouls on their benches to account for Shaq's dominance. Lotsa stiffs trolled the league at his peak.

Just a guess...

[Batz]

Can we get a list of average weight/height/size at each position separately? That would make this thread actually interesting.

[Rose]

Can we get a list of average weight/height/size at each position separately? That would make this thread actually interesting.
Agreed!

[jstern]

Can we get a list of average weight/height/size at each position separately? That would make this thread actually interesting.

Well, I don't have the time, but if someone does, they can do it and post it.

I do remember last year someone saying that shooting guards were shorter in the 90s, so I put NBA Live 95 for Super Nintendo, and highlighted the SG position, and pressed R to go team by team. It took me less than 5 minutes, and I think the average height was for starting shooting guards, which was what I checked was around 6'5"

[Round Mound]

More proof today is the weakest era in NBA history.

Kobe stans will say Jordan faced smaller opponents than him. GTF out.

Today`s NBA is perimeter oriented, anti Frontline, anti Post Game, anti Contact


The Zone rules are so easy to break with ball movement and passin game: ofcourse non of the college players that enter the game have this

[Manute for Ever!]

I found the most interesting part that experience peaks out in 2000 right about when mid 90's highschool players started to hit their stride. I wish they got rid of the 1 college year rule.

Are you kidding? I wish they'd make it 2 years. That rule is one of the best things that has happened, it stopped immature, arrogant kids who have been given everything on a silver platter coming into the league and then realising they have no real game and having to spend several years developing.

[Droid101]

Are you kidding? I wish they'd make it 2 years. That rule is one of the best things that has happened, it stopped immature, arrogant kids who have been given everything on a silver platter coming into the league and then realising they have no real game and having to spend several years developing.It's a stupid rule that makes players waste a year of what could be prime development against NBA level competition with professional training and nutritionists at your beck and call. Period.

[jstern]

Are you kidding? I wish they'd make it 2 years. That rule is one of the best things that has happened, it stopped immature, arrogant kids who have been given everything on a silver platter coming into the league and then realising they have no real game and having to spend several years developing.

I used to be for that rule, back when I was younger. I terms of letting people make their own decision, and be responsible for it, I was all for that, but that's just in the human term. If they made a mistake, at least they have more money in a year than I'll ever make. But then I started thinking in terms of quality of the NBA, and it's so true, can't have teams drafting players when they're not ready just based of what they could be years down the line, it just lowers the quality of the league, so I think it's a great rule, good business decision by the NBA. I mean sure, there are the Lebron's out there, but those are extremely rare. In fact he's the only one.

[Manute for Ever!]

I used to be for that rule, back when I was younger. I terms of letting people make their own decision, and be responsible for it, I was all for that, but that's just in the human term. If they made a mistake, at least they have more money in a year than I'll ever make. But then I started thinking in terms of quality of the NBA, and it's so true, can't have teams drafting players when they're not ready just based of what they could be years down the line, it just lowers the quality of the league, so I think it's a great rule, good business decision by the NBA. I mean sure, there are the Lebron's out there, but those are extremely rare. In fact he's the only one.
Exactly, the high schoolers dumbed down the league big time, it is no coincidence that the era when the most high schoolers were jumping straight to the league is often referred to as the weakest era in NBA history.
When it happened in the past before big money took over, it was because the player was truly something special (Moses, Kemp). When NBA contracts went through the roof it became more of a 'get rich quick' scheme for kids.

[72-10]

It's good to know the league's average height is actually shorter now than it was in the late 1980s/early 1990s, when it peaked out around 6'7 1/2"

and then we must ask ourselves

how many of these guards/perimeter players and wings that have added muscle mass have a jay?

have they sacrificed a mid-range game and a jump shot in stay of more focus on weight training like resistance training? It doesn't look like they're doing more calisthenics.

[72-10]

you know, like since the players who have added more muscle mass (and thus skewed the league's averages) DON'T HAVE A JUMP SHOT

[72-10]

In other words, I don't see how added muscle mass implies more skill. I don't see how one can infer that from that change. Certainly the added weight helps with rebounding, but then the player doesn't have as skilled of a jump shot. I can only think of one exception.

And we know they're not taller now at all; that's a fact.

[LAmbruh]

7 foot immobile traffic cones being drafted into the league simply on height and zero skill


sounds about right

[72-10]

7 foot immobile traffic cones being drafted into the league simply on height and zero skill


sounds about right

Thanks I didn't know these guys are traffic cones.:rolleyes:

Hakeem Olajuwon
David Robinson
Alonzo Mourning
Dikembe Mutombo
Patrick Ewing
Shaquille O'Neal
Mark Eaton
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Manute Bol

:lol

[LAmbruh]

https://i.postimg.cc/J40hZ4nq/gettyimages-909808324-612x612.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/3rnRkDKN/Gheorghe-Muresan-Tim-Hardaway.jpg (https://postimages.org/)

https://i.postimg.cc/65Pp0J4N/a33-Q0jr-700b.jpg (https://postimages.org/)



:yaohappy:

[72-10]

Gheorghe looks like he needs some of those Kareem throwback glasses at the line

[GimmeThat]

added muscle weight may imply increase in stamina

[plowking]

added muscle weight may imply increase in stamina

Muscle needs oxygen to fuel it. More muscle means less stamina.

[ILLsmak]

Can we get a list of average weight/height/size at each position separately? That would make this thread actually interesting.

Yooo I ****in forgot about this dude. Where did he go?

-Smak

[PP34Deuce]

I agree with the poster who said if you could break it down by position, it would be more fruitful.

There were more gargantuan Centers and PF's in the early years but they didn't have the fluidity athletic ability of todays guys.

Boban and Taco are rare in todays game, but I feel like you had more 7'1 plus guys in the league.

[Mr Feeny]

Do we have a source for any of the figures?

[TheMan]

Thanks I didn't know these guys are traffic cones.:rolleyes:

Hakeem Olajuwon
David Robinson
Alonzo Mourning
Dikembe Mutombo
Patrick Ewing
Shaquille O'Neal
Mark Eaton
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Manute Bol

:lol
Brad Daugherty
Rik Smitts
Robert Parish
Moses Malone
Vlade Divac
Kevin Garnett

GOAT era of bigmen :bowdown:

[TheMan]

B-b-but the LeFraud stans always tell me that today's NBA is BIGGER, stronger and faster???

They are actually shorter today than in the 80's/90's?

:eek:

Bran fam got some splaining to do :facepalm

[MJ(Mean John)]

From 1984 to 2007

http://www.nba.com/news/survey_2007.html

I think this is a very interesting chart, for those who like to compare eras. I looked it up because someone was comparing human genetics to technology, like ipods vs walkman, etc.

Basically today's players are 6 pounds heavier, and just a tad bit shorter. Which to me kind of explains why I haven't seen pretty much any free trow line dunks since the last century. The average weight has been virtually the same since 1993-94. It seems players started lifting more weight 2 years earlier. I wonder what was happening in the league around that time for players feeling that they should add more weight, even though it's just a few pounds.

Edit: The average weight hasn't been exactly the same since 93, it went all the way up to 225 in 2002 - 2003, and then went down to 221. Perhaps because of the rule changes.

you have to consider other factors as well. Consider that in today's NBA, there really isn't many true bigs. When you look at the past, there were may PF and C that were playing at or near 7 feet tall. Now a days, with really positionless basketball, the C position has almost been eliminated to where you have guys like 6'7 playing "Center".

In the past, it was usually a starting line up of:

5. C: 7 Footer
4. PF: 6'9+
3. SF: 6'7+
2. SG: 6'5+
1. PG: 6'3+


Now,

5. PF: 6'9
4. SF: 6'7
3. SF/SG: 6'6
2. SG/PG: 6'4
1. PG: 6'2

[72-10]

Do we have a source for any of the figures?

https://web.archive.org/web/20071213201421/http://www.nba.com/news/survey_2007.html

It's strange it seems the original was removed from the web.

I think one could easily say the SG would be 6'6" given the vast number of shooting guards at 6'6" or taller.

I don't believe in sports science stuff.