Is Basketball Still a Tall Man's Sport?
In 2015 a college basketball match between UFC kinghts and UC Irvine went absolutely viral on the media due to two BIG reasons. They were Tacko Fall and Mamadou N'Diaye, behemoths who both stood at 7 feet 6 inches, making them two of the tallest college basketball players in history. Surely more than a few viewers would have felt convinced we'd see more of them at the highest level in the NBA.
Fast forward to 2021 and Tacko Fall, the brightest and more talented of the the two is still trying to find his feet in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers on a two way contract while Mamadou wasn't even considered good enough, going undrafted in 2016.
Mentality
Another point to highlight is the feeling of 'something to prove' by smaller players who have developed themselves to the extent that they become unbothered about the height of Taller players who may 'feel entitled' and not work as hard. What Timberwolves Player Anthony Edwards for instance lacks in height, he makes up in versatility, athleticism, energy and superior scoring ability that can open up any defense.
Back in the day, Standing 7 feet tall will likely earn an automatic selection in the first round of the NBA draft, skills be damned. However, that same feature and even a fairly decent amount of skills will not guarantee a draft in Today's game, highlighting the level of evolution in the sport.
Players like Manute Bol who went on to have a fairly decent NBA career would very likely have struggled in today's league. The reason for this phenomenon is quite simple, and it is called evolution.
The Rise of Skillsets
The NBA of today has some pretty 'small men' (by comparison) doing exceptionally well in the league based on their skillset. Many players who have a height disadvantage have adapted in terms of a variety of skillsets that level the playing field, or even put them at an advantage.
Take for instance NBA poster boy Stephen Curry who stands at just 6 foot 2 Inches, which is a relatively small height when paired against players who are at the upper cadre of the 6 feet range. Curry developed his game to become one of the most potent in the NBA particularly with his highly heralded 3-point shooting. As a matter of fact, this style of play worked so well for curry that other NBA teams began to emphasize on talents with decent 3-point shooting ability, making it possible to wreck a team without much interior play.
The need for giants who on average reduced because of this as tall players were generally slower and less flexible than most other players, making their effectiveness near negligible. Teams instead have evolved to using perimeter oriented defense more frequently in other to reduce the likelihood of 3-point shooting.
Conclusion
Especially for the Men's sport, really tall players will need to bring more than just their height these days to even get to the NBA. That isn't to say height isn't an advantage though, because a really tall talented player is probably worth more than one with average height but the same talent. The onus is for them to keep improving, and accepting the inevitable fact that the old way was not just good enough.
Height will always be a factor in basketball, but hear what you are saying it isn't everything. Weird how height goes for and against you in certain activities. The special forces operators are normally short people all being in the low 5ft region. Apparently they can carry weight easier without too much strain compared to a bigger frame. Look at most long distance athletes as they are fairly small and petit. In rugby size matters for obvious reasons as you also need weight. I can't even reach the basket as I have tried many times so I guess if you are a crack shot size wouldn't matter like in Curry's case.
It's not just on the offensive end though, even defensively smaller guys are increasingly standing out. Take Draymond Green for instance. Defense used to be where tall players shined most, now most of them would just be liabilities for being too slow
I don't height matters, I have short guys dunk pretty good.
Here there is a saying that goes "against talent there is no medicine" the shorter guys compensate for their lack of height with great talent and effort, case of Curry himself as you said he is one of the best in the league.
Well, people actually think so much about the height but I personally do take throwing ability and jump power more seriously.
Talent, mentality and focusing are the main skills
Height doesn't hurt, but that's not all
!LUV
!PGM
That was a good read! Do you guys remember Muggsy Bogues? He was 5 '3, and as you say, worked so hard! An incredible player!
Of course that's just an exeption, as you mention, small now is 6'2.
Height certainly has a huge advantage. But a team has shown that height isn't everything as demonstrated once by the Golden State Warriors by their small-ball lineup (that they don't need a tall player). But height always has that factor on a team and no one can deny that.
Height is an advantage in this sport. In fact, a really good advantage. But it's not everything.