Could you make an NBA player out of "anyone" if you had unlimited resources?

[Living Being]

If you, or a random "average" person were offered a chance to be transformed into an NBA player:

1. Do you think it could happen?
2. What would it take?

Assume the person at least has no physical deformity or incurable ailments, and is of average intelligence.

Let's say the person would have ZERO responsibility, other than following the training, diet, teaching schedule, and also had the best nutritionist, trainers, etc. in the world. Could it be done? Would it matter how old they are? What is the max starting age for this to work?
Are "natural" gifts really required, or could this idea actually work?

Could you make it in the NBA if you had this opportunity?

[KyrieTheFuture]

No. Nature over nurture when it comes to becoming an athlete.

[christian1923]

You can do whatever you set your mind too.

[kurt_rambis]

there are a lot of 'average' athletes in the nba, so it's probably possible. if you start early enough with a kid and give him all the advantages in the world, his odds at making the nba would obviously improve. you can't guarantee anything though

[SpecialQue]

Muggsy Bogues.

[SpecialQue]

Also, Steve Blake has had a fairly long career.

[HylianNightmare]

yes

[JuicyJay78]

If someone was at least decently sized with average athleticism, with unlimited practice and conditioning and instruction, you could probably at the very least create a catch and shoot type player that was good even to get in the league. That's probably your best bet.

[magictricked]

Originally Posted by kurt_rambis

there are a lot of 'average' athletes in the nba, so it's probably possible.

For every one of those "average" NBA players that gets drafted there's a couple thousand kids that were never in the conversation

To the OP no you can't turn Joe blow into an NBA player. You'd have to start with a kid that's at least considered a star on his own high school team to even whiff the NBA

[IGotACoolStory]

[Stuckey]

i think so but age is a factor

[Derrick]

If they stay injury free, and start young, I dont see why not.

[ralph_i_el]

not if they are shorter than 6'2"
If they have decent athleticism and just trains for years I don't see why not.

[Eric Cartman]

Look at J.J. Barea. Goes to show that you don't have to be a great athele or tall to be an NBA player.

You just have to sell your Puerto Rican soul to Satan.