MYTH-Does the altitude of Denver really affect how players play?

[no pun intended]

Denver's 5k feet altitude has been a scapegoat for many that fail to do well in the Pepsi Center. Does it really harm the way the opponents play or is it just psychological? I favor the latter option.

[DTreats]

I don't think anyone cares about this, maybe when Denver has a relevant team someone will try to figure this out.

[RazorBaLade]

i dont see how it can be psychological. its a fact that its harder to breathe up there compared to lower cities.

[bwink23]

i don't think the altitude makes much of an impact on elite, conditioned athletes....it's more for the average joe.

Basketball players cardio is already very high.

[Kblaze8855]

Ive read the people who decide if world records are valid or not(im not googling a name) dont count certian events if the record is set high up but thats a slightly different issue....

The players say it matters. I have no reason to say they are wrong. Not like its just the Nuggets. Ive heard Magic Johnson say he got tired quicker in Denver.

[yanix]

unfortunately, yes
but you'll get used once you're here for 3-5 days

[swi7ch]

No, if Jordan were playing for the Nugs, he'd still drop 50 on these pu$$ies.

[sbw19]

http://www.answers.com/topic/altitude-sickness

[ProfessorMurder]

Of course it does, are you dumb?

[ShaqAttack3234]

It's interesting that Denver has almost always had running teams too. I can't think of any team with as consistent of a history when it comes to running. Whether it was those 80's teams coached by Doug Moe, the recent teams coached by George Karl, and especially the unbelievable 1991 Nuggets coached by Paul Westhead who would press excessively, try to shoot within 6 seconds or less, and a limit on the number of passes. I doubt any team has played at a pace so far above the average team, even Run TMC that same year were like a slow, conservative and conventional team in comparison.

[dbugz]

MJ dropped 44 points on 100% FG on planet moron mountain. So I guess it doesn't really matter.

http://www.wired.com/playbook/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tunesboxscore.jpg

[CelticBaller]

I don't think anyone cares about this, maybe when Denver has a relevant team someone will try to figure this out.
the broncos, the Melo-Billups team

[brantonli]

Found an article that say Hakeem sometimes even needed oxygen when playing at Denver, but got better at it:

http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/1996_1319172/rockets-summary.html


The air up there
In the past, Hakeem Olajuwon has had problems playing in Denver's mile-high altitude, at times needing oxygen on the bench. But those days are long gone, Olajuwon said.
""The last couple of years have been much better," Olajuwon said. ""I hope it continues. I think it was just mental. Now when I get to Denver, I just try in the shootarounds to move around so I can get the blood flowing."

[AMISTILLILL]

MJ dropped 44 points on 100% FG on planet moron mountain. So I guess it doesn't really matter.

http://www.wired.com/playbook/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/tunesboxscore.jpg

They should have amnestied Murray.

[dbugz]

They should have amnestied Murray.

:oldlol:

[CelticBaller]

They should have amnestied Murray.
better than sylvester

[liquidrage]

IIRC a few years ago I saw a stat that showed Denver pro-teams had the biggest home vs road winning % difference of all cities in the US with pro teams.

My opinion is yes, it matters. Go to elevation, it does take a few days to get acclimated to it.

[bagelred]

Does the altitude of Denver really affect how players play?

Not anymore. Ever since they got rid of Martin, Smith, Melo, Billups....their players are much better sports, don't curse, or give gang signs......



Wait.....ok my bad.........thought it said attitude.

[Euroleague]

Yes it does. Going quickly from a lower altitude to a higher altitude has a great effect on your blood chemistry. So flying from say LA to Denver, definitely effects you once you get off the plane.

So yes, it absolutely does. Now, once a team has been there for a while, it does not.

So, for example, it would definitely effect the Lakers in game 3, but in game 4 it shouldn't really matter.

[inclinerator]

yes it does

[jstern]

I would assume it's a fact, seeing how many players have to catch their breath at half time, etc, before interviews. It's not like we don't see that. Plus players talking about it. And makes sense that Denver teams would use that to their advantage by being running things. (Since they play there their bodies would be used to the lower oxygen.)

[NugzFan]

I don't think anyone cares about this, maybe when Denver has a relevant team someone will try to figure this out.

What's your definition of relevant?

[DuMa]

you mean not everyone sleeps in one of these?

http://www.okinawahai.com/images/old/6a00e54ee8a8ff8833012875afd344970c-500pi.jpg

[Batz]

Yes it does. Going quickly from a lower altitude to a higher altitude has a great effect on your blood chemistry. So flying from say LA to Denver, definitely effects you once you get off the plane.

So yes, it absolutely does. Now, once a team has been there for a while, it does not.

So, for example, it would definitely effect the Lakers in game 3, but in game 4 it shouldn't really matter.
Holy crap, you made a decent post... :bowdown:

[Calabis]

Of course it does, are you dumb?

I was going to say, hell Ryan Clark from the Steelers can't even play in Denver, he almost died back in 2006.

[reppy]

My friends played a venue in Denver when they were touring. They said they never saw so many small/tiny people in their life.

Is this true? Has anyone else noticed this?

[Maestro33]

I used to mountain bike race and when training at higher elevations (Highest city in Canada) it was tougher but would make lower places seem like a dream. It absolutely makes a difference. If someone went back and looked at Denvers record in Game One or Three depending on seeding theyd see a higher winning percentage in relation to the series outcome.