Persuasive Blog: There Should be a Height Lock in the NBA

There Should be a Height Lock in NBA

Now, before I type anything, I'm thinking about how a 6'1 point guard feels trying to defend another player that's 4 inches taller than him, 4 inches might not seem like a lot, but the more inches means the more leverage against defenders, more leverage equals defending is harder, and if defending is harder than it's easier for the taller player to score and harder for the shorter player too. Not to mention that the taller you are, you probably weigh more and have a longer wingspan which you can use to your advantage. Being too tall can be an issue, but being too short can also be an issue. So you're probably going to have to be somewhere in the middle.

First, we have to look at the average size of each position in the NBA. The Point Guard's position (aka 1) size average is about 6'2 190 lbs, which is tall in the normal world but in the NBA it's close to nothing. The Shooting Guard's position (aka 2) size average is about 6'6 211 lbs. The Small Forward's position (aka 3) size average is about 6'8 224 lbs. The Power Forward's position (aka 4) size average is about 6'10 245 lbs. Finally, the Center's position (aka 5) size average is about 6'11 240 lbs. Now all of these are extremely tall for a normal man, the average male size in the United States is only 5'10 197 lbs, compared to the average NBA player that is 6'7 217 lbs, pretty big difference.

When it comes to the extra tall centers in NBA history you got the likes of Yao Ming, Manute Bol, Shawn Bradley, and Gheorghe Muresan, who are all 7'6 or 7'7, that's 6-7 inches taller than the average center today, the game of basketball itself has changed over the years, with new rules being applied and the game is more fast-paced than it ever was since back in the day.

I do have to appreciate the players that are a little oversized for their position though. Some of the greatest NBA players to touch the hardwood floor were oversized for their position, which I'll have to say, it's kinda smart because they know they have the advantage. For example, Earvin "Magic" Johnson (in my opinion is in the top 10 greatest players of all-time) played the point guard position for his entire career, and he stood at 6'9 and 220 lbs. Another example of being oversized for their position is the current starting point guard for the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons where he stands at 6'10 and is about 230 lbs, but he does switch it up a bit every, now, and then, where he sometimes plays the 4 at Power Forward.

In conclusion, I think that the oversized players have an advantage because if a small forward player is able to reach about as fast as a point guard, that's actually insane, and I think there should be a size lock, but at the end of the day, it's all determined by your raw athleticism and skill. Just think those tall players would also make great friends if you need to clean a ceiling fan, just have them do it

Source: https://www.dummies.com/sports/fantasy-sports/fantasy-basketball/understanding-player-positions-in-basketball/

Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/902463-overcoming-undersized-in-the-nba-for-guards

Source: https://www.myactivesg.com/Sports/Basketball/How-To-Play/Basketball-Rules/Basketball-Positions-and-Roles