Players' real height - Bird vs Nique, Hakeem and more.

[fandarko]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/dr/nba/teamsites-nbateams/release/hawks/sites/hawks/files/elements/oral-history/wilkins-bird-holman-416.jpg

Nique was listed at 6-8 and Bird at 6-9.

But here the difference seems to be at least 2 inches.

Since Bird had at least an inch on Magic (who was listed at 6-9), I think that Nique was never taller than 6-7.

Regarding Hakeem, word is he was not taller than 6-10. However, you can see him towering over Lebron here http://www.thenassauguardian.com/attachments/article/32296/11C%20Lead%20pic.jpg

But here not so much https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?
q=tbn:ANd9GcRJp1cV5J5TE-N-FhPuBx4pjupbO3lpOUEZ1-GDxDzc9CeWlBVgOg

But what strikes me is the not-that-pronounced height difference with Sampson (listed at 7-3) https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSEeR-WzUitktnBcvbn5s5V5P8ZKIXuq9BRD2svho5jiFvFfRDK6A

or

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQjdmb1xOolhKF5ppFYIJOQ-rPDNck_JOQyHtJXpX3ohPorP77d

or http://img.bleacherreport.net/img/images/photos/002/404/261/ScreenShot2013-07-17at2.26.51PM_crop_exact.png?w=1500&h=1500&q=85

Here Hakeem with Clyde Drexler (listed at 6-6).

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/history/legends/clyde-drexler/clyde-drexler-trophy.jpg

I know that height is distorted all the time on images we see today, but it seems to me (not that it matter much, but still interesting) it's safe to say Bird had an inch on Magic, Nique was not 6-8 but 6-7, Hakeem was probably 6-11 (an inch on Dwight) and Ralph Sampson was probably closer to 7-3.

Of course, all these differences might stem from players being measured with or without shoes at a given moment.

[L.Kizzle]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/history/features/moment-1988-bird-wilkins/bird-nique.jpg

not sure why Nique looks likr Spud Webb in the pic you posted.

[fandarko]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/history/features/moment-1988-bird-wilkins/bird-nique.jpg

not sure why Nique looks likr Spud Webb in the pic you posted.

Maybe Bird was standing on something?

[Breezy]

I Have an unhealthy fascination with players heights. I love to speculate everyone's real height. The hard part about comparing players relative heights is that when you try to guess based on another player you find out that the other player lies about their height too.

How about a list of players that don't fib about their height. That's shorter and more interesting.

Legit Listings

Kevin Durant - 6'9
Kevin Garnett - 6'11
Shaq - 7'1
Duncan - 6-11
(most players from the 60's -70's)

Surprising Liars

Nate Robinson
Jordan
Kobe
Dirk
Magic


Help contribute to the list Call out some people or confirm some people.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Some places have Nique listed at 6'7, he's probably that barefooted... Bird stood over 6'9 w/o shoes, in his heyday.

To better judge height, I'd rather have full body pics though... Larry might even be on a bit higher surface there...

[andremiller07]

http://i.cdn.turner.com/dr/nba/teamsites-nbateams/release/hawks/sites/hawks/files/elements/oral-history/wilkins-bird-holman-416.jpg

Nique was listed at 6-8 and Bird at 6-9.

But here the difference seems to be at least 2 inches.

.
I think in that one if you look they are standing in the stands and Bird is higher up. Wilkins is way closer to floor level.

[fandarko]

I think in that one if you look they are standing in the stands and Bird is higher up. Wilkins is way closer to floor level.

That must be it, since on this one the difference is like at least 4 inches.