Can anyone touch the top of the backboard? [Archive] - Message Board Basketball Forum

The Answer

12-23-2006, 07:08 PM

During the Ohio State Florida game, one of the announcers said that college football coaches should create a special position in which basketball players, such as Joakim Noah, would be used to block extra points and field goals. He showed a clip of a football player going up for a block and said he was about nine and a half feet up. He then claimed that Noah could get up to 13 feet and touch the top of the backboard. I also remember hearing that Dwight Howard could do this but, I've never seen anybody get that high during a game. Does anybody think that it's possible for a guy to actually leap up and touch the top of the backboard? If so, are there any existing videos of someone actually doing it?

MetsPackers

12-23-2006, 07:10 PM

Wuxia

12-23-2006, 07:15 PM

I really don't think this is possible.

BigTicket

12-23-2006, 07:16 PM

I seriously doubt it, never seen anyone get near that on a block, even guys like Garnett or Howard probably couldn't do it, no way in hell Noah can.

The Answer

12-23-2006, 07:17 PM

I really don't think this is possible.

Neither do I but it'd be awesome if someone really could.

MetsPackers

12-23-2006, 07:17 PM

I saw T-Mac do it in an Adidas commercial once, but it was probably lowered for him.

scrotania

12-23-2006, 07:17 PM

didn't someone grab a penny of the top? When i saw it or read about it, i believed it. Was from a credible source if i remember.

bumpyknucks

12-23-2006, 07:18 PM

I've seen Maceo Bastion do it in real life. I'd be surprised if howard cant get it.

HaNdLe ThE RoCk

12-23-2006, 07:19 PM

Travis Outlaw Grabbed a dollar bill off the top of the backboard.

I can see that kid from Boston college Doing it.

Williams
http://gallery.phillyburbs.com/photos/443/168.aspx

geeWiz15

12-23-2006, 07:21 PM

if it's 3 feet above the rim, that means if you could touch the rim without jumping it would require a 36 inch vertical. how high do guys like Garnett and Dwight have to jump to get the rim? and keep in mind vertical is measured on one gather... running vertical is often higher.

I bet there are a couple guys who can do it. Howard? he can get his chin on the rim easy...

HaNdLe ThE RoCk

12-23-2006, 07:21 PM

Maceo Bastion
http://www.24sec.net/images/lib/euroleague/FF2006/baston_mac_tau.jpg

that would be interesting if he really can.

Dwight Howard can do it most likely. If i had to pick a player to do it, it would be dwight for sure.

BankShot

12-23-2006, 07:21 PM

During KG's initial workouts with the Timberwolves before he was drafted, they were testing his skills and athleticism, particularly his vertical. They kept encouraging him to go higher and higher, eventually slapping the electronics box atop the backboard.

Brunch@Five

12-23-2006, 07:22 PM

Kareem could do it, a friend of my father played with him in UCLA and told me.

HaNdLe ThE RoCk

12-23-2006, 07:23 PM

http://www.nba.com/media/sonics/booth_254_040122.jpg

Booth has some long arms, doubt he can touch it though

IlliniFan

12-23-2006, 07:24 PM

I have seen Dwight do it in this documentary about him. Dwight is 6'11 and has a crazy vert so he can definitely do it.

geeWiz15

12-23-2006, 07:24 PM

VCDrivesAPorscheToWork

12-23-2006, 07:26 PM

Kenyon Martin has done it before

HaNdLe ThE RoCk

12-23-2006, 07:27 PM

Booth? how did he even occur to you? the guy can't jump 6 inches off the ground.

he can hit a 3 though... :roll: who was that against? anyone remember? it was a clutch 3, too. 4th quarter, cut a lead to 1. wish I could remember the opponent.

:oldlol: i just said it because i googled something trying to find it and i saw calvin booths long ass arms. It was crazy.

ILballa

12-23-2006, 08:07 PM

wat can i type into google to see someone touch top of backboard?

El Seano

12-23-2006, 08:11 PM

if anyone could I'd say Dwight howard could, remember that dunk he threw down in practices for Team Usa in the summer? bounced it off the floor and was literally so high he threw the ball through essentially.

SirPresident

12-23-2006, 08:36 PM

Rumor has it Vince Carter did it before. Toke a penny off the top or something, not a chance in hell he could do it now though.

thenextgreatbigman

12-23-2006, 08:42 PM

my friend is 6'3 and i've seen him get all his fingers over the top of the box so if an athletic 6'10-7 player should be able to do it.

thenextgreatbigman

12-23-2006, 08:43 PM

http://www.bobanddan.com/images/Bob/lawson.jpg

s0ulja714

12-23-2006, 08:46 PM

when jerry west invited kobe to a pre draft camp workout, he was testing his skills and athleticism, and he stated how kobe was able to explode and touch the top of the backboard with ease...

Kblaze8855

12-23-2006, 09:02 PM

I dont think Kareem could. I only say that because I read a quote from Kareem after he watched some guy do it(Dont remember if it was Wilt, Earl the Goat, or Jackie Johnson) and saying he couldnt get that high.

Larry Nance id bet anything could have. Him, Kemp, G, and Travis Outlaw I figure could. Also Ralph Sampson. 7'4'' with a 34 inch standing vertical. Running I figure at least 38. And he had long arms too.

TheOne

12-23-2006, 09:41 PM

If someone can dunk on 12-feet rim, they sure can touch the 13-feet top of backboard.

boshraptor4life

12-23-2006, 11:40 PM

Well I've heard stories of LeBron being able to grab a quarter off the top of a backboard and I definitely beleive it.

bigkingsfan

12-23-2006, 11:45 PM

I think Brad Miller manage to pulled off the feat *while jumping off Kenny Thomas shoulders and a boost from Shareef*

XxNeXuSxX

12-23-2006, 11:47 PM

MTing

12-24-2006, 12:36 AM

A young Vince Carter, Dwight Howard, or Josh Smith can maybe do it.
Oh and a young Kobe maybe can just miss it

Loki

12-24-2006, 12:48 AM

when jerry west invited kobe to a pre draft camp workout, he was testing his skills and athleticism, and he stated how kobe was able to explode and touch the top of the backboard with ease...

That's why Kobe's head didn't come within 6" of the rim on any of his dunks during the '97 dunk contest. :rolleyes:

ErhnamDjinn

12-24-2006, 01:16 AM

http://mud.mm-a3.yimg.com/image/873291180 Didint earl manigault do such feats? Im sure Yao can do it or any high flying 7 ftr.

LakersDynasty

12-24-2006, 01:20 AM

What about Stromile Swift?

geeWiz15

12-24-2006, 01:23 AM

there's no way Kobe could ever do it. I never thought of him as a top tier leaper or dunker. even when he was a kid and had less muscle. and he's 6'6 tops.

Younggrease

12-24-2006, 01:30 AM

I really doubt it, I can touch the top of the square, but thats and a foot off from the top of the backboard. You'd have too be tall and still have a ridiculous vertical to be able to do this, but maybe someone can:confusedshrug:

I have seen Lebron do it in AAU in Vegas. I also heard Vince say he used to be able to grab the top of the backboard and hang(Eastern Invitational Camp). Its possible

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 01:35 AM

top of the backboard is 13'6 isn't it?

I've never actually seen anyone do it or be that high officially though I have seen some get near it. Lots of stories and accounts of guys being able to do it, but no proof, and in many cases (like with Paul Silas and LeBron), the guy who is supposed to be able to do it says themselves that they can't.

sydneyking

12-24-2006, 01:45 AM

A while back someone posted a pic of Travis Outlaw doing it.

JtotheIzzo

12-24-2006, 02:43 AM

lots of guys can do it

I played with a guy in HS who was a retarded leaper and he would take the rookies clothes out of the locker room when they were in the shower and jump up and hang them on the top of the backboard.

It takes a 40plus vert on a guy 6'5" or up but there are plenty of those guys out there nowadays.

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 02:54 AM

a 6'6 guy has like an 8'8 standing reach. 8'8+40=12 ft. Not even close

Younggrease

12-24-2006, 02:55 AM

a 6'6 guy has like an 8'8 standing reach. 8'8+40=12 ft. Not even close

Yeah but they arent jumping from vert they are getting a running start.

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 03:00 AM

Yeah but they arent jumping from vert they are getting a running start.
What does that change? 13'6-8'8 still = 58 inches

Bosh4life

12-24-2006, 03:13 AM

didn't someone grab a penny of the top? When i saw it or read about it, i believed it. Was from a credible source if i remember.

Ahaahah funny thing is i think that credable source was NBA live because coincidentially i was just playing the game and i was lebron james and after dunking the announcers were talking about how lebron has grabbed a stack of quaters off the top of the backboard.

Brunch@Five

12-24-2006, 06:11 AM

I dont think Kareem could. I only say that because I read a quote from Kareem after he watched some guy do it(Dont remember if it was Wilt, Earl the Goat, or Jackie Johnson) and saying he couldnt get that high.

Well, an eye-wittness told me, and I absolutely trust this guy. This is as much a proof as you can get from players of this era

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 06:56 AM

What does that change? 13'6-8'8 still = 58 inches

Exactly what I'm thinking, except the top of the backboard is actually 13'1", I think. Remember the backboard is 42" but the rim is 5" from the bottom. 10 feet + 37" = 13'1". That would still require a 53 inch vertical though.

As an example, I'm 5'9" and on a good day I can get my fingertips about 3/4 to the top of the white square, but my running vertical is over 40" for sure. That said, the spot I can touch is still 2 feet from the top. So in theory, even if I were 7 feet with a crazy wingspan I'd still come up short by a few inches.

I guess Dwight seems like the best candidate. He's got the height and crazy wingspan for sure. But even then it seems like he'd need something like a 45 or 46" running vertical. That's insane.

Oh, and I hate to get into the old camera angle argument, but the picture of the football player is from a low angle. He's not quite as high as he looks, although still damn high. And Kobe never touched the top of the backboard. That's a stupid claim. Guy's not even one of the elite leapers, and he's only 6'6".

AI09

12-24-2006, 07:37 AM

I Have Seen Vince Carter Take A Dollor In Qaurters Off The Top Of The Backboard N Replace It With A Dollor Bill.

JtotheIzzo

12-24-2006, 08:11 AM

What does that change? 13'6-8'8 still = 58 inches

running start combined with one foot jump jackass

not two feet from a dead stand still

makes a huge difference

Do you think Carl Lewis would have been able to long jump anywhere near 28 or whatever feet from a standing broad jump

Get a clue

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 10:04 AM

I Have Seen Vince Carter Take A Dollor In Qaurters Off The Top Of The Backboard N Replace It With A Dollor Bill.

Where Did You See This Amazing Feat?

running start combined with one foot jump jackass

not two feet from a dead stand still

makes a huge difference

Do you think Carl Lewis would have been able to long jump anywhere near 28 or whatever feet from a standing broad jump

Get a clue

All he's saying is that it doesn't matter how you jump, if your standing reach is 8'8" then you'd have to get your hand 58" higher in the air to touch the top. Here on planet Earth jumping 58" up in the air borderlines on impossible. For example, in the Ball Is Life trailer for their new DVD you can see James White get his head about 4 or 5" above the rim which is considered pretty unbelievable no matter who you are. He got a running start and jumped off one foot and that's still only about 47" off the ground. Now imagine someone jumping 58"...nearly a foot more.

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 02:38 PM

running start combined with one foot jump jackass

not two feet from a dead stand still

makes a huge difference

Do you think Carl Lewis would have been able to long jump anywhere near 28 or whatever feet from a standing broad jump

Get a clue
You should get a clue. Point is no matter how you jump, that's still damn high and not something lots of guys can do as you put it. I was thinking the backboard was 4ft tall, but like Clutch said even if it's 42 inches then 13ft - 8'8= 52 inches. Yea, I'm sure lots of guys can do that :rolleyes:

hateraid

12-24-2006, 02:43 PM

I've seen Shaq do it, with his head after the backboard came down on him.

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 02:45 PM

JtotheIzzo

12-24-2006, 02:46 PM

You should get a clue. Point is no matter how you jump, that's still damn high and not something lots of guys can do as you put it. I was thinking the backboard was 4ft tall, but like Clutch said even if it's 42 inches then 13ft - 8'8= 52 inches. Yea, I'm sure lots of guys can do that :rolleyes:

roll your eyes, that's it roll them

sorry if I said 'lots' and you assumed it to be 'a lot'

it has been done, people can do it

that was my point

GOBB

12-24-2006, 02:46 PM

Video would be helpful, why doesnt anyone record these things?

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 02:52 PM

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f287/hasartului/MichaelWilson.jpg

Id like to see that 12 foot dunk done next to a normal rim just to see how high he looked next to it.

GOBB

12-24-2006, 02:53 PM

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f287/hasartului/MichaelWilson.jpg

Id like to see that 12 foot dunk done next to a normal rim just to see how high he looked next to it.

He so doesnt count. He dunked from the top of the FT circle.

hateraid

12-24-2006, 02:56 PM

I remember Wild Thing Wilson. Wasn't he reported to have a 51" vertical?

JtotheIzzo

12-24-2006, 02:58 PM

The NBA tested Mcdyess at 47 inches with his one step vertical. At 6'9'' or 6'10'' if he has long arms and say he got 50 inches on the run on the highest leap of his life...

What would his reach need to be?

And I still say Larry Nance should be able. Guy jumped damn near like James White but did it at 6'10'' with like a 7'4'' or better wingspan.

McDyess was a two foot jumper. His numbers wouldn't change too much

One foot jumpers on the other had would see drastic increases in their jumping with a running start

WilliamPhiladelphiaSmith

12-24-2006, 03:01 PM

How come Keon Clark, Hakim Warrick, David "Skywalker" Thompson, and Rudy Gay have no Honorable Mentions. All have legit measurements of 41+ verticals, and on a good day with adrenaline, well stretched legs etc., 4+ inches is quite possible.

Interesting subject, guys.

Tony Jaa (ONg-Bak) is said to have a 2 meter vertical.. if so 5'6" + 2" for a reach + 6" vertical should be able to reach the backboard. I call BS on the 2 meter vertical tho.

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 03:09 PM

I heard Dice had like a 4ft max vertical, but I never seen him appear to be that high really. Either way, he's 6'9 so his standing reach is probably 8'10-9ft (I'm looking at the 05 predraft measurements for comparison right now BTW). For comparison of guys the same height, Charlie Villunueva has a 9'1 reach, Turiaf has an 8'11. 13ft-9ft= 48 inches obviously, so maybe in his prime he could do it.

I still find it hard to believe so many people can do it because besides the obvious lack of proof anywhere, it's such a big feat that IMO if anyone could they'd be in Nike or Powerade commercials doing it. Even if they suck, they would find a way somehow to get their showoff on.

Saer Sene, the center for the Sonics from last draft has a 9'5 standing reach (7'8 wingspan) and seems pretty athletic. He would "only" need 43 to get it done. Patrick O'Bryant for the Warriors has a 9'5 reach as well.

JtotheIzzo

12-24-2006, 03:10 PM

The backboard shall be a rectangle measuring 6' horizontally and 3 1 /2' vertically. The front surface shall be flat and transparent.
found this quote from a rules website

http://sportsbookmagazine.com/managearticle.asp?c=330&a=238

3.5 feet of vertical backboard, with approximately 6" of backboard below the rim.

Someone would have to be able to jump 3' above the rim

hardly impossible

7'5" and up can touch the rim flat footed or tippy toed. So if Yao can get up three feet, he can do it.

Take someone with sick athleticism, and long arms and it is hardly impossible

Kapeesh?

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 03:11 PM

Thompson had a legit 42-44 inch standing vertical but he was like 6'4''. THe Warrick types have a better chance.

And Ralph Sampson should be mentioned again. a 34 inch standing vert at 7'4''.....he had to be way up....

Wilt too.

Wilt is not a one-sport man, either. At Overbrook High School in Philly, he high jumped 6 feet, 6 inches, ran the 440 in 49.0 seconds and the 880 in 1:58.3, put the shot 53 feet, 4 inches, broad jumped 22 feet. Bill Easton, Jayhawks track boss, predicts Wilt will reach 7 feet in the high jump if he concentrates on it.

"He easily has greater possibilities than any player we ever had here," says Allen, who is in his 39th season at Kansas. "He has coordination, can run and can jump. He can do everything.

And that was before the modern style of high jumping. They went over the bar to the side not backwards. Just kinda kicked/flopped over.

Cant find it right now but there is a world fair contest winning picture of wilt wasit level during a practice high jump on a 7 foot bar.

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 03:13 PM

I still find it hard to believe so many people can do it because besides the obvious lack of proof anywhere, it's such a big feat that IMO if anyone could they'd be in Nike or Powerade commercials doing it. Even if they suck, they would find a way somehow to get their showoff on.

You would think that but how many times have we ever seen someone go headlevel just for the sake of proving they could? Dwight Howard kissed the rim once and its the closest ive seen as far as filmed proof.

But everyone knows it happens. Its not even rare. At all.

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 03:16 PM

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f287/hasartului/MichaelWilson.jpg

Id like to see that 12 foot dunk done next to a normal rim just to see how high he looked next to it.

How did that guy set a world record (12') when he's only 6'6" and he's (only) 44" off the ground at most? Doesn't seem like it, but he must have a hell of a wingspan. Otherwise I don't get it.

You know, it seems strange because we see guys jump so high all the time like it's effortless. You get the feeling that they can go higher if they want, but the truth is that guys probably jump as high as they can in a game (warm legs, adrenaline, trying to make highlight reels, etc.). I don't really remember anyone's hand being near the top of the backboard in a game before, so that should tell us something I think. Even the really big blocks on the fast break where guys get a full head of steam to jump up and pin a shot on the glass, it's never higher than the top of the square, right?

Bourne

12-24-2006, 03:18 PM

Wilt Chamberlain would be the one I put all my money on if I had a chance.

JtotheIzzo

12-24-2006, 03:19 PM

See, I think this is a good example. Dude is flying, dunking 12' (world record) off a running start, but look at his feet. He's still only 44" at most off the ground (just compare his feet to the ruler). He'd still need another 12+ inches somewhere to touch the top of the backboard. Meaning with the same jumping ability he'd have to have a wingspan that was a foot longer. Maybe Datz can help me out but I think the usual wingspan for a 6'6" guy is about 6'8" or so. Going by that, even if some guy had a 7'4" wingspan and a vertical up around 48". Even then he might still come up just short.

It seems strange because we see guys jump so high. You get the feeling that they can go higher if they want, but the truth is that guys probably never jump as high as they do in a game (warm legs, adrenaline, trying to make highlight reels, etc.). I don't really remember anyone's hand being near the top of the backboard in a game before, so that should tell us something I think.

poor logic

if he is dunking on twelve feet he has to get the whole ball over the rim right?

That means his hand has to be at least 12'6"

Now picture the same guy jumping WITHOUT the ball. It is way easier to jump without the ball.

he could easily add six inches

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 03:19 PM

Travis Outlaw was like a wristbands width short of the top in that picture that was going around. Why its so hard to find now I dont know. But I read an interview with him saying hes gotten really close hardly trying. But hes never gotten to the very top. Like where he could hang onto the top.

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 03:21 PM

That jump is without the ball. He dunked it off an alley.

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 03:23 PM

It's even possible Wild Thing couldn't do it. You only have to be 5 inches higher than the rim to get a 1hander in, he might "only" be 12'5, or 12'7 (I heard he did a 12'2 rim). Even if nobody would just run up to the rim during halftime and just jump up and hang on the top like "yo look at me" (I would if I could btw), just looking at how high guys are when they dunk, they don't really seem to be there. Highest I ever seen anyone on a dunk I think was the Haislip putback over Kenyon Martin. Ricky Davis and Stacey Augmon both had some head level putback but neither are as tall and long as Haislip who was listed 6'10

JtotheIzzo

12-24-2006, 03:24 PM

That jump is without the ball. He dunked it off an alley.

he's still gotta line it up and time it, he still has to focus some energy on the catch and flush. a six foot wide backboard as a much wider margin of error

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 03:26 PM

poor logic

if he is dunking on twelve feet he has to get the whole ball over the rim right?

That means his hand has to be at least 12'6"

Now picture the same guy jumping WITHOUT the ball. It is way easier to jump without the ball.

he could easily add six inches

edit: my math was off when i responded to this initially and i said he needed an extra 13". he actually needs an extra 7", and that's still not the kind of improvement you see suddenly. i mean, the guy was going for world record. if it were possible for him to jump ANY higher, i'm sure he would have. 7" isn't just coming out of nowhere. maybe 1 or 2.

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 03:29 PM

The Answer

12-24-2006, 03:29 PM

http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f287/hasartului/MichaelWilson.jpg

Id like to see that 12 foot dunk done next to a normal rim just to see how high he looked next to it.

That's absolutely amazing. Who is this guy? Some Globetrotter I guess. It looks like hes got his entire hand over the rim. Why aren't there NBA players trying to break this guys record dunk?

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 03:31 PM

http://www.nba.com/blazers/chat/travis_outlaw_transcript_011006.html

Nicolas (France): Hey Travis, did you really touch the top of the backboard ?

Travis Outlaw: Ha-ha (Laughing) I don't know, it depends on the mood I'm in. I've gotten close when I wasn't tryin' that hard...I've never touched the top-top of the backboard, but you never know....

Kareem?

[quote]Now Lew Alcindor is 19, a sophomore playing his first varsity year, and all the nightmares are coming true. He has grown to an awesome 7 ft. 1⅜ in., and in his initial two games he has shown why U.C.L.A.'s Bruins are favorites to wind up as the nation's No. 1 team.

Stopping Alcindor (pronounced Al-sin-der) is obviously a necessity for any team that has designs on the N.C.A.A. championship

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 03:32 PM

Dont know. Clyde Drexler dunked on an 11.5 one almost 20 years ago.

The Answer

12-24-2006, 03:34 PM

http://youtube.com/watch?v=xeO7oOmk0gI

Look at Larry Nance at 1:32. They never show that entire dunk but if you pause it you can see he dunked it with his elbow fully bent and his head at or over the rim and if you see it all...he hardly jumped. He was getting up there like nothing.

Hes headlevel coming from the ft line and doing a mini reverse windmill earlier in there.

Has to be close to the highest anyone gets on film.

Unbelievable. Nance was way up there. After this video and the pic of the guy dunking on the 12 ft rim I'm starting to think that some guys really can do it. Though I don't think Joakim Noah's one of them like the announcer said.

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 03:38 PM

More hearsays, whoever 6'6 Gus Johnson is could do it.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FCJ/is_8_27/ai_65642448

Carey Bailey
http://sportsintegration.wvu.edu/mensbasketball/bailey.htm

Mark Madsen?
http://www.markmadsen.com/bio.html

Kblaze8855

12-24-2006, 03:40 PM

You mean Gus Johnson from the 60s? Ive seen a bit on him. Some power dunks. He was one of the first of those "Dunk on you" types.

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 03:43 PM

Mark Madsen?
http://www.markmadsen.com/bio.html

lol. not sure if you simply posted this as a joke or if you realized he was talking about someone else. Kevin Freeman.

The Answer

12-24-2006, 03:46 PM

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 03:46 PM

O LoL, I didn't read the whole thing. I just googled "touch the top of the backboard" and saw a Madsen link come up and the caption said like "he can touch the top of the backboard" and I was like GTFOH! He did have a really good dunk when he was a Buck though and came from like somewhat near ft line off 2 feet in traffic

GOBB

12-24-2006, 03:48 PM

That's absolutely amazing. Who is this guy? Some Globetrotter I guess. It looks like hes got his entire hand over the rim. Why aren't there NBA players trying to break this guys record dunk?

Went to college and played on the same team as Lorenzon Wright. Even in school he did amazing, video game like dunks. Picked the right career to be a Globetrotter. His ups are sick.

12 feet dunk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNhE0eJe5KI

The Answer

12-24-2006, 03:48 PM

http://mud.mm-a3.yimg.com/image/873291180 Didint earl manigault do such feats? Im sure Yao can do it or any high flying 7 ftr.

Yao's anything but a high flyer.

The Answer

12-24-2006, 03:50 PM

Went to college and played on the same team as Lorenzon Wright. Even in school he did amazing, video game like dunks. Picked the right career to be a Globetrotter. His ups are sick.

12 feet dunk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNhE0eJe5KI

Absolutely amazing, but how does a guy with so much athleticism not make it to the NBA, or did he have some short stint in the league?

JtotheIzzo

12-24-2006, 03:50 PM

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 03:50 PM

Does anybody think Manute Bol could do it. 7'7" with an 8'6" wingspan, would have guaranteed him getting close. I also think I remember reading about him smashing his teeth on the rim when he first tried to dunk.

I figure Manute's standing reach was 10 feet or so, probably not much higher or else he would have dunked without jumping (he couldn't, could he?). Going by that he'd need a 37" vertical to touch the top of the backboard. For a guy of his body type, no way in hell.

The Answer

12-24-2006, 03:55 PM

I figure Manute's standing reach was 10 feet or so, probably not much higher or else he would have dunked without jumping (he couldn't, could he?). Going by that he'd need a 37" vertical to touch the top of the backboard. For a guy of his body type, no way in hell.

If you google Manute Bol dunk flatfooted, a couple of sites claim his standing reach was 10"6'. If that truly was the case, he'd have easily been able to dunk flatfooted.

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 03:57 PM

If you google Manute Bol dunk flatfooted, a couple of sites claim his standing reach was 10"6'. If that truly was the case, he'd have easily been able to dunk flatfooted.

Could be. He'd still need a 31" vert though and I imagine a guy like him can jump no higher than about 24" tops. It's just such an incredible feat. I mean look at the video of the guy dunking 12 feet. Yes, extremely impressive, but look how much freaking far from the top of the backboard he still is :eek: (hint: go by the first angle which is more straight on. the other two make him look way higher than he really is. notice the last angle shows his head even with 11 1/2 feet when on the first angle it was barely over 10. optical illusions!)

DatZNasty

12-24-2006, 03:58 PM

The Answer

12-24-2006, 03:59 PM

Could be. He'd still need a 31" vert though and I imagine a guy like him can jump no higher than about 24" tops. It's just such an incredible feat. I mean look at the video of the guy dunking 12 feet. Yes, extremely impressive, but look how much freaking far from the top of the backboard he still is :eek:

Yeah, but that backboard has been raised up another 2 feet along with the rim.

The Answer

12-24-2006, 04:04 PM

I can't find that Marcus Haislip over Kenyon Martin dunk. Different topic, but he's good enough to be in the league.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzSjn9lBbJ4
This dunk by Howard at the end is just ridiculous

Absolutely phenomenal, but why doesn't he get up like that in games? You'd think he'd occasionally get opportunities on fast breaks and such.

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 04:10 PM

Yeah, but that backboard has been raised up another 2 feet along with the rim.

d'oh!

:roll: @ me

i credit it to being up since last night. that and the fact that i'm so used to the standard height that i didn't even think about that. i guess what i should have said is that he still would have to get above the white square, which like i mentioned earlier is about 7 more inches. doesn't seem like as much as it is.

ClutchCityReturns

12-24-2006, 04:24 PM

I can't find that Marcus Haislip over Kenyon Martin dunk. Different topic, but he's good enough to be in the league.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzSjn9lBbJ4
This dunk by Howard at the end is just ridiculous

That's a crazy ass dunk, but also a good example of how a big fish story can get started. Had that video not been there, those guys would probably tell their friends "oh my god Dwight Howard made this one dunk that was soooo sick. his freaking head was over the rim and his hands were at like the top of the backboard. seriously, i'm not kidding!". Word would spread and suddenly it would be fact that Dwight Howard could touch the top of the backboard.

In reality his head never went over the rim and his hands were just a smidgen higher than the top of the square. The top of the square is (only) 11'4" so let's say he got 11'7" to be generous. Still got an extra 1 foot 5" to the top of the glass. Now since we've seen the picture of him "kissing the rim" let's assume he can get a little bit higher than this video and say that in the kissing picture he could have touched 12 feet if he had tried. Still, he would need a whole extra foot to touch the top of the board.

When you break it down it really seems harder than it should be.

AI09

12-24-2006, 05:26 PM

Where Did You See This Amazing Feat?

At one of the Nets Practices ive seen him do it. I was right there watching.

Horde of Temujin

12-25-2006, 12:29 AM

what about shawn kemp
i think he was able to do it

MTing

12-25-2006, 12:40 AM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve5lSjtmE4Q
If you pause it you can see the ball at the top of the backboard.

JtotheIzzo

12-25-2006, 12:44 AM

At one of the Nets Practices ive seen him do it. I was right there watching.

end thread

ClutchCityReturns

12-26-2006, 12:42 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve5lSjtmE4Q
If you pause it you can see the ball at the top of the backboard.

First of all, the angles in that video distort the perception of how high he is. Second, that video doesn't show the ball at the top of the backboard anyway. The last angle is the most accurate, and shows his hand about even with the top of the white square.

DatZNasty

12-26-2006, 02:20 PM

yea that's that same dunk where SportsCenter showed it from the really high skycam angle then paused it and drew a line claiming he was chest high with the rim

pudman13

09-04-2014, 03:03 PM

Since there's no documented video of anyone doing it, I think all of those playground legends (Jumpin' Jackie Jackson, Earl Manigault, and later people like David Thompson) touched the top of PLAYGROUND backboards--those round, lower ones...

SpanishACB

09-04-2014, 03:06 PM

They could with trainning, very few athletic big men.

But they would need momentum meaning timing to block would be tricky as hell, not to mention the chances of injury on the way back, specially back injuries on landing, or just landing on someone's body part and losing balance. Or someone touching you on the way up, that would be crazy.

Marchesk

09-04-2014, 03:21 PM

There's a couple youtube videos of 6'8 guys with excellent leaping ability touching rods attached to the top of the backboard. But how do you know if they are regulation?

As for making change off the top, no chance in hell. That's pure legend. Wilt said as much.

I recall reading that James White came within an inch while being video taped.

As for putting my money on it, I would say Sampson and Wilt in their athletic primes. I'm guessing it's actually a rare feat, and not many have ever done it.

dreamwarrior

09-04-2014, 04:50 PM

I've seen Muggsy Bogues do it

chocolatethunder

09-04-2014, 05:23 PM

For anyone who claims that this was done, they should read this article.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/4307/james-white-vs-a-jumping-myth

Mass Debator

09-04-2014, 05:23 PM

Doug Thomas recorded a 13' high touch on tape. YouTube that

MannyO

09-04-2014, 05:39 PM

http://www.hoopmixtape.com/jeremy-evans-breaks-record-129-leap/

Orlando Magic

09-04-2014, 05:40 PM

Hmmm...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Wiq-POmFA

inclinerator

09-04-2014, 05:45 PM

Hmmm...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Wiq-POmFA
no.

nice edit

Foster5k

09-04-2014, 05:47 PM

Orlando Magic

09-04-2014, 05:48 PM

no.

nice edit

Well, I don't think that was his peak vertical either. Kids usually jump highest when younger.

Nash

09-04-2014, 06:40 PM

those olympic high jumpers, wonder if they can

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BJ0nKg0CMAAmJyT.jpg:large

Marchesk

09-04-2014, 06:42 PM

To be able to touch the top of the backboard, someone is going to have to have elite Olympic level leaping ability. James White probably the only guy that would come close to doing it. This is the same guy that did the between the legs free throw line dunk. A dunk that Vince Carter wish he could do.

Wilt's standing reach was 9'10", so if he did have a 40+ vertical, he might have done it. He claims to have, for what it's worth.

The one video where he's blocking a shot and catches it on the way down in college anywhere between 12' and the top of the backboard off one step makes it look like he could have.

stanlove1111

09-04-2014, 06:44 PM

Hmmm...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8Wiq-POmFA

I have seen Wilt get higher then 12.5 just trying to block shots, Jabbar also..All you have to do is look at the head..Howard didn't even get his head to the rim.

D-FENS

09-04-2014, 09:35 PM

http://mud.mm-a3.yimg.com/image/873291180 Didint earl manigault do such feats? Im sure Yao can do it or any high flying 7 ftr.

3 pages to get a Goat reference. Said state of affairs at ISH in 2006, but not as sad as present day!

Alan Ogg

09-05-2014, 03:15 AM

Bill Russell claimed he could grab a quarter off the top of the backboard LOL.

Marchesk

09-05-2014, 03:17 AM

3 pages to get a Goat reference. Said state of affairs at ISH in 2006, but not as sad as present day!

But it's a playground legend.

chocolatethunder

09-05-2014, 10:00 AM

To be able to touch the top of the backboard, someone is going to have to have elite Olympic level leaping ability. James White probably the only guy that would come close to doing it. This is the same guy that did the between the legs free throw line dunk. A dunk that Vince Carter wish he could do.

James White has tried and never done it. Read about it here.

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/4307/james-white-vs-a-jumping-myth