Just How Tall?

[LAZERUSS]

We know that Wilt was measured in bare-feet at 7-1 1/16 (and later on well after his NBA career at 7-0 1/2...a logical decline due to age)...

And we know that Kareem (Alcindor) was measured at 7-1 5/8 at UCLA (and possibly grew slightly)...

but as more-and-more data becomes available...just how tall were other well known "seven-footers?"

CavsFTW came up with a Howard Stern interview in which Shaq claimed he was "only" 6-11 1/2" in bare-feet.

This photo pretty much confirms that...

http://lakers.topbuzz.com/modules/PNphpBB2/upload-pics/lakers/8759_SONKAJ_1.jpg

Keep in mind that that was an old Kareem, who likely lost close to an inch by the time that photo was taken.

How about the "7-2" Artis Gilmore?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN17x5up5n4

Listen at the 1:19:00 mark...in which the announcer claims that Wilt was at least two inches taller than Gilmore.

Was Sabonis really 7-3?

http://media.oregonlive.com/oregonian/photo/2011/04/9457690-standard.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsgzSilSH9U/To06brEiBNI/AAAAAAAAEoU/kRmw8dBppgo/s1600/ept_sports_nba_experts-844074332-1253541611.jpg

The 7-0 Patrick Ewing?

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/.element/media/2.0/teamsites/timberwolves/media/allstar_1994_670.jpg

If Shaq were indeed 6-11 1/2...then Ewing is closer to 6-10 than 6-11.

More to come...

[Cocaine80s]

We dont give a shit about how tall another grown man is mane


Unless we talking dick size i dont wanna hear about another man's length

[outbreak]

Using photos where players are leaning or in different stances and angles seems like a legit way to measure their heights.....

[LAZERUSS]

We know that Bill Russell measured 6-9 5/8.

Was Mutombo really 7-2?

http://grahambensinger.com/files/6514/1522/4680/dikembeMutombo_clip09.jpg

How about this...since it is readily apparent that Ewing was nowhere neat 7-0, and likely closer to 6-10...

http://s3.amazonaws.com/nk_wp_media/uploads/2013/08/georgetown-centers.jpg

BTW, Mourning looks considerably shorter than Ewing. Probably 6-9 at best.

And if Shaq was only 6-11 1/2...

http://www.contactmusic.com/pics/lf/celebrating_world_malaria_day_240412/shaquille-oneal-and-dikembe-mutombo-attending-a_3843942.jpg

Mutombo was probably between 7-0 to 7-1 at most.

[KobesFinger]

What about David Robinson?

[LAZERUSS]

What about David Robinson?

Sources claim he was an even 7-0. I'm looking into it, though.

[CavaliersFTW]

What about David Robinson?
1988 Olympics measured him at 7-0 without shoes and 227lbs

[LAZERUSS]

Damn...i can find photo after photo in which Russell looks taller than 6-9 5/8.

http://ww1.prweb.com/prfiles/2005/11/22/314304/NBACentersUniteforMLKMemorial.jpg

BTW, just how tall was Walton?

http://i.cdn.turner.com/nba/nba/teamsites/images/legacy/celtics/Champs_85_86.jpg


Dwarfs the "7-0" Parish.

[CavaliersFTW]

There haven't been many real barefoot 7 footers throughout the history of the game. There aren't many 7 footers that exist in the world at all actually, most of them are terrible athletes with lots of health problems.

[LAZERUSS]

There haven't been many real barefoot 7 footers throughout the history of the game. There aren't many 7 footers that exist in the world at all actually, most of them are terrible athletes with lots of health problems.

Your research has been outstanding on these topics of height. It amazes me just how ridiculous these "measurements" have been in the last 30 years, or so.

[LAZERUSS]

Ralph Sampson was listed at 7-4, and yet Mark Eaton claimed that he, himself, was at least two inches taller.

And most photos show Kareem at least as tall.

My guess...Sampson was less than 7-2, and probably 7-1 1/2.

[LAZERUSS]

Those that rip Russell here need to realize that he was just as tall as...

Cousins, D Jordan, D Howard, Drummond, and J Okafor.

[LAZERUSS]

The "7-0" Hakeem....barely 6-10.

The "6-9" Ben Wallace...and admitted 6-7.

The "6-10" Kevin Love... 6-7 3/4.

The "6-6" Barkley... 6-4 3/4.

The "7-1" Spencer Hawes... 6-10 1/2.

[zoom17]

http://media.giphy.com/media/uXVEhtcVDD7q0/giphy.gif

[Dr Hawk]

https://nbcprobasketballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/610x8.jpeg

http://blogimages.thescore.com/tbj/files/2010/10/bill-walton-shaq.jpg

Ralph Sampson wasn't even close to 7'4

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/Hakeem%20Olajuwon/with%20Temamates/1%20Ralph%20Sampson/olajuwonralphsampsontwintowers.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A2P2E66CUAAuz31.jpg

[LAZERUSS]

https://nbcprobasketballtalk.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/610x8.jpeg

http://blogimages.thescore.com/tbj/files/2010/10/bill-walton-shaq.jpg

Ralph Sampson wasn't even close to 7'4

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/Hakeem%20Olajuwon/with%20Temamates/1%20Ralph%20Sampson/olajuwonralphsampsontwintowers.jpg

Sabonis is interesting. I don't think he was 7-3, but probably between 7-1 and 7-2.

And you're right about Sampson. Probably 7-1 1/2.

[Dr Hawk]

Sabonis is interesting. I don't think he was 7-3, but probably between 7-1 and 7-2.

And you're right about Sampson. Probably 7-1 1/2.

I added one more photo in my last post, check it. He seems to be just as tall as Kareem

[SexSymbol]

who gives a **** about heights

[LAZERUSS]

who gives a **** about heights

Obviously you do. You even took the time to post about it.

Thanks again.

[LAZERUSS]

I added one more photo in my last post, check it. He seems to be just as tall as Kareem

Yep. And we know a peak Kareem was less than 7-2 (and the Kareem in that photo surely had lost some height.)

So, we'll go with Sampson at best... 7-1 1/2.

[Cocaine80s]

http://i.imgur.com/kvqScyM.gif

[CavaliersFTW]

http://i.imgur.com/kvqScyM.gif
That's a great dunk

[fandarko]

Sabonis is interesting. I don't think he was 7-3, but probably between 7-1 and 7-2.

And you're right about Sampson. Probably 7-1 1/2.

I've seen Sabonis play in Europe, live during the 80s.

The guy was at least 7'3'', with the word being he grew to 7'4 later in his career.

He had two inches on 7'1 Divac that's for sure.

[CavaliersFTW]

I've seen Sabonis play in Europe, live during the 80s.

The guy was at least 7'3'', with the word being he grew to 7'4 later in his career.

He had two inches on 7'1 Divac that's for sure.
People swore Jabbar was also 7 foot 4 or 7 foot 5. He wasn't though, he was 7-1 and 7/8ths. Seeing a player doesn't give you knowledge of how tall they measure. Though, seeing them appear to be taller or larger than certain match ups can be good information it still doesn't give you a number.

[Nikola_]

The "7-0" Hakeem....barely 6-10.

The "6-9" Ben Wallace...and admitted 6-7.

The "6-10" Kevin Love... 6-7 3/4.

The "6-6" Barkley... 6-4 3/4.

The "7-1" Spencer Hawes... 6-10 1/2.

http://cdn.urbanislandz.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Usain-Bolt-and-Charles-Barkley.jpg

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

Some guys who get older "shrink" somewhat because of bones/posture/etc. Using those pics can be distort some views.

[nzahir]

This post is retarded.

1. People shrink as they get older I hope you know that
2. Different stances/angles from the pictures can change how they look
3. Depends what shoes both people are wearing that day

END THREAD

[CavaliersFTW]

This post is retarded.

1. People shrink as they get older I hope you know that
2. Different stances/angles from the pictures can change how they look
3. Depends what shoes both people are wearing that day

END THREAD
Thread premise isn't retarded. While I do agree entirely with you that pic analysis is flawed and can give you bogus results, I do think the topic is interesting that when put under measuring tape, very few players have ever been measured a legitimate 7 feet tall. (I'm specifically talking without shoes). Laz's motive is obviously that of attempting to address people who both sell the players of Wilt's era short (like Russell) and to prove that 7 footers aren't abundant in any era. I think he's right, they aren't. And he's also right that guys like Russell and probably Walton were underbilled.

[warriorfan]

Shoe size, Angle, Posture

There are way too many unknown variables to draw any sort of conclusion from this nonsense.

[Euroleague]

I've seen Sabonis play in Europe, live during the 80s.

The guy was at least 7'3'', with the word being he grew to 7'4 later in his career.

He had two inches on 7'1 Divac that's for sure.

Stop with the damn Sabonis myths already. The damn Sabonis and Petrovic myths and legends are just as freaking stupid as the damn Wilt bullshit.

I watched a lot of the old games of Soviet Union and Vladimir Tkachenko was definitely taller than Sabonis was.

[Euroleague]

Shoe size, Angle, Posture

There are way too many unknown variables to draw any sort of conclusion from this nonsense.

Yeah, but people like lazeruss have IQs below 60, so they can't be expected to grasp such simple concepts as that.

[oarabbus]

http://media.giphy.com/media/uXVEhtcVDD7q0/giphy.gif



Apparently you cared enough to search for a relevant gif pretending you don't care, copying the link, putting image tags around it and posting it.

[24-Inch_Chrome]

Apparently you cared enough to search for a relevant gif pretending you don't care, copying the link, putting image tags around it and posting it.

Anyone with a strong gif game has that shit bookmarked, takes 15 seconds tops to get a post ready. Zoom has a strong gif game. :applause:

[outbreak]

Apparently you cared enough to search for a relevant gif pretending you don't care, copying the link, putting image tags around it and posting it.
http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/naked-gun-facepalm.gif

[ClipperRevival]

This thread is interesting but as some said, you can't look at a specific photo as evidence of how tall or short a player is. Standing at a slight angle or slouching can distort heights. Not to mention what type of shoes you are wearing.

But I will say, I had no idea Walton was that freaken tall. I thought he was more of a Hakeem sized guy. Wrong. He was a mammoth human being.

[Lebron23]

http://www.celebheights.com/s/Shaquille-ONeal-3142.html

Shaq is 7'1".

[warriorfan]

This thread is interesting but as some said, you can't look at a specific photo as evidence of how tall or short a player is. Standing at a slight angle or slouching can distort heights. Not to mention what type of shoes you are wearing.

But I will say, I had no idea Walton was that freaken tall. I thought he was more of a Hakeem sized guy. Wrong. He was a mammoth human being.

I always thought Walton was legit 7 feet at least. He did have a big body, that was probably one of the reasons why he peaked early and his body broke down rapidly. If Walton took better care of himself it would of helped things as well. He has been pretty open with his drug use and partying ever since his days at UCLA.

[JohnnySic]

Damn...i can find photo after photo in which Russell looks taller than 6-9 5/8.


That was his barefoot height, and its likely legit. Today, he'd be listed at 6'11".

[JohnnySic]

Kareem was close to 7'2"
Sampson same, about 7'2"
Wilt around 7'1" or just shy
Shaq just shy of 7'
Robinson 7' or just shy
Mutombo 7' or just over
Hakeem 6'10"
Ewing 6'10"

Most "7 footers" in the league today are not. Dirk and Duncan for example are about 6'10". Pau Gasol might be 7' or close.

Roy Hibbert is the only notable player who is clearly north of 7'.

[Asukal]

Wilt is about 2 feet tall in the mental toughness department. :rolleyes:

[CavaliersFTW]

Kareem was close to 7'2"
Sampson same, about 7'2"
Wilt around 7'1" or just shy
Shaq just shy of 7'
Robinson 7' or just shy
Mutombo 7' or just over
Hakeem 6'10"
Ewing 6'10"

Most "7 footers" in the league today are not. Dirk and Duncan for example are about 6'10". Pau Gasol might be 7' or close.

Roy Hibbert is the only notable player who is clearly north of 7'.
Based on my research I would agree with your approximations for that list.

[ClipperRevival]

Kareem was close to 7'2"
Sampson same, about 7'2"
Wilt around 7'1" or just shy
Shaq just shy of 7'
Robinson 7' or just shy
Mutombo 7' or just over
Hakeem 6'10"
Ewing 6'10"

Most "7 footers" in the league today are not. Dirk and Duncan for example are about 6'10". Pau Gasol might be 7' or close.

Roy Hibbert is the only notable player who is clearly north of 7'.

I think Duncan is at least 6'11" barefoot. I saw him standing next to DJ many times in this year's playoffs and he had at least a couple of inches at the shoulders. If Duncan is 6-10", DJ is 6'8" and I know DJ is at least 6'9" or taller.

[jstern]

http://media.giphy.com/media/uXVEhtcVDD7q0/giphy.gif

I care.

Anyway, I was looking up D'angelo Russell and found this page with his height listed with and without shoes. http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/D-Angelo-Russell-7175/

[CavaliersFTW]

I think Duncan is at least 6'11" barefoot. I saw him standing next to DJ many times in this year's playoffs and he had at least a couple of inches at the shoulders. If Duncan is 6-10", DJ is 6'8" and I know DJ is at least 6'9" or taller.
Having a couple inches at the shoulders = / = having a couple inches at the top of your head.

Dwight Howard's shoulders sit higher on his body than Chris Bosh's yet Chris Bosh measured almost an inch and a half taller to the top of his head.

IIRC Duncan has admitted to being about 6-10. Look very close to 70+ year old Bill Russell in height I can't see him being much taller than him, and as pointed out Russell in his early 20's allegedly measured 6-9 and 5/8ths

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rwzlPW-fM_I/Um39b4fI12I/AAAAAAAAEyI/LZChF1bCmlg/s600-Ic42/Russell%252520Duncan%252520PC1.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6kFDeO_9Ktw/Um39cdytW0I/AAAAAAAAEyM/JVrmyjle-ew/s600-Ic42/Russell%252520Duncan%252520PC2.jpg

I know I know "hat/shoes/posture" I agree pic analysis is usually a bad way to go about judging player size but they still look roughly similar in height and you can at least see them head to toe.

[Batz]

Apparently you cared enough to search for a relevant gif pretending you don't care, copying the link, putting image tags around it and posting it.
http://media.giphy.com/media/Ax8ItWw58J0qY/giphy.gif

[CavaliersFTW]

I care.

Anyway, I was looking up D'angelo Russell and found this page with his height listed with and without shoes. http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/D-Angelo-Russell-7175/
That's good height for a point guard, that's a fairly tall point guard actually.

[ClipperRevival]

Having a couple inches at the shoulders = / = having a couple inches at the top of your head.

Dwight Howard's shoulders sit higher on his body than Chris Bosh's yet Chris Bosh measured almost an inch and a half taller to the top of his head.

IIRC Duncan has admitted to being about 6-10. Look very close to 70+ year old Bill Russell in height I can't see him being much taller than him, and as pointed out Russell in his early 20's allegedly measured 6-9 and 5/8ths

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rwzlPW-fM_I/Um39b4fI12I/AAAAAAAAEyI/LZChF1bCmlg/s600-Ic42/Russell%252520Duncan%252520PC1.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6kFDeO_9Ktw/Um39cdytW0I/AAAAAAAAEyM/JVrmyjle-ew/s600-Ic42/Russell%252520Duncan%252520PC2.jpg

I know I know "hat/shoes/posture" I agree pic analysis is usually a bad way to go about judging player size but they still look roughly similar in height and you can at least see them head to toe.

Based on those pics, looks like if you took off Bill's hat, Duncan would still hold a couple of inches.

[CavaliersFTW]

Based on those pics, looks like if you took off Bill's hat, Duncan would still hold a couple of inches.
I disagree, I think they are almost imperceptably different in height, even though I assume Duncan is taller by at least a half inch or so. But your free to have your own interpretation.

[zoom17]

Anyone with a strong gif game has that shit bookmarked, takes 15 seconds tops to get a post ready. Zoom has a strong gif game. :applause:

:cheers:

[Crystallas]

There is no quicker way of saying, "Hey, look, I'm an idiot!" than by measuring players with the eyeball method.

[jstern]

That's good height for a point guard, that's a fairly tall point guard actually.

It is. Just that most people think he's 6'5", rather than 6'3.25"

[ClipperRevival]

I disagree, I think they are almost imperceptably different in height, even though I assume Duncan is taller by at least a half inch or so. But your free to have your own interpretation.

If you look at the chin and eye level and compare, it does look like a couple of inches. You have to remember, these guys are tall to begin with so differences in height aren't as exagerrated as normal people. But like you said, everyone has their own interpretation.

[jstern]

There is no quicker way of saying, "Hey, look, I'm an idiot!" than by measuring players with the eyeball method.


He has no other way to measure them, than to speculate with pictures of players standing next to each other. He can't just grab the players and force them to stand straight and then measure them.

[-23-]

Based on those pics, looks like if you took off Bill's hat, Duncan would still hold a couple of inches.

Duncan... what are those clothes man.

[CavaliersFTW]

If you look at the chin and eye level and compare, it does look like a couple of inches. You have to remember, these guys are tall to begin with so differences in height aren't as exagerrated as normal people. But like you said, everyone has their own interpretation.
Chin level?

Dude, one thing I can tell you that might lead you astray here and in any future attempts you might make to evaluate someone's height is assuming everyone's proportions are similar.

Their chin level, nor their shoulder level, nor leg length, nor torso size or anything in between is going to be any sort of indicator how tall the top of their heads will be when they stand straight up. Everyone is shaped differently. You can still believe what you will with those pics but just keep that in mind.

[plowking]

Shaq measured officially at 7 foot without shoes at the NBA pre draft camp, so there goes any nonsense that he is under.

[ClipperRevival]

Chin level?

Dude, one thing I can tell you that might lead you astray here and in any future attempts you might make to evaluate someone's height is assuming everyone's proportions are similar.

Their chin level, nor their shoulder level, nor leg length, nor torso size or anything in between is going to be any sort of indicator how tall the top of their heads will be when they stand straight up. Everyone is shaped differently. You can still believe what you will with those pics but just keep that in mind.

Well, Russell is wearing a hat so you can only go by stuff like eye level, chin, etc. I'm done with this, it's not that important. Lol.

[CavaliersFTW]

Shaq measured officially at 7 foot without shoes at the NBA pre draft camp, so there goes any nonsense that he is under.
Admitted on Howard Stern to being 6-11 and 1/2, and those old pre-draft measurements used rounded numbers. Measured 7-0.88 with shoes. Shoes today at least vary from an inch to an inch and a quarter in thickness. Which is exactly why he could be a little under 7 foot. It isn't "nonsense" what would be nonsense would be to dismiss everything you hear if Laz says it. Shaq being 7 foot, or perhaps a little under, is plausible, especially considering he's the one who said he was 6-11 and 1/2. And it's made plausible by the fact that most 7 footers, and bigs in general, are not quite 7 foot either. Him being potentially 6-11.5, would still make him incredibly tall when you account for the barefoot heights of other players.

[Cleverness]

Height = overrated
Wingspan = underrated

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

Dirk and Duncan for example are about 6'10". Pau Gasol might be 7' or close.

Roy Hibbert is the only notable player who is clearly north of 7'.

Dirk has been quoted saying to the Dallas radio that he is a hair over 7 feet. (Not talking about "in shoes.") I will believe him because why would he lie about it?

[bigkingsfan]

I will believe him because why would he lie about it?

Believing that line gets men into a lot of troubles.

[CavaliersFTW]

Height = overrated
Wingspan = underrated
Throw in standing reach which compliments wingspan

[dreamwarrior]

I can't believe they listed Sabonis as 7'3. He was 6'10 or so but he looked like 6'9 on the court. Some guys play like they're taller than they are. I never noticed anyone towering over Barkley or Malone when they played...almost the opposite really. Back then I thought those two were the biggest PFs in the game.

[oarabbus]

http://media.giphy.com/media/Ax8ItWw58J0qY/giphy.gif


https://iguessimagrownup.files.wordpress.com/2014/08/cristina-yang-nobody-cares-gif.gif

[Spurs5Rings2014]

This post is retarded.

1. People shrink as they get older I hope you know that
2. Different stances/angles from the pictures can change how they look
3. Depends what shoes both people are wearing that day

END THREAD

Add in time of day (morning/night), when both people woke up, distance from camera (one person being closer than the other), etc. There are infinite variables which make using the 'eye test' for measuring heights completely idiotic.

This is literally the most retarded thread I've ever read. Wilt stans are truly insufferable. What they don't realize is disparaging other players' heights and making him out to be taller than everyone else actually makes him look even worse than his 2/6 record already does.

[LAZERUSS]

Add in time of day (morning/night), when both people woke up, distance from camera (one person being closer than the other), etc. There are infinite variables which make using the 'eye test' for measuring heights completely idiotic.

This is literally the most retarded thread I've ever read. Wilt stans are truly insufferable. What they don't realize is disparaging other players' heights and making him out to be taller than everyone else actually makes him look even worse than his 2/6 record already does.


First of all, how many rings did Yao, Bradley, and Bol win in their careers.

Secondly, a prime Kareem went to two Finals, and won one ring in his first ten years in the league.

Next, if you have been on this forum for any length of time, one of the popular myths that has been perpetuated here, was that Wilt faced mostly short (and white) centers. Another myth is that Russell was an under-sized center, when in fact, he was as tall as some of the best centers of this era.

Finally...don't YOU find it fascinating just how DISTORTED some of these heights have been in the last 30+ years? If you looked at NBA rosters in the late 80's thru the early 90's, you would think the league was filled with seven-footers. Turns out, probably not that many, at all.