OT: "height in shoes"
Does anyone know where the "height in shoes" statistic got its start? It's mentioned in this article and I've seen it often in NBA draft discussions:
http://www.draftexpress.com/article/Portsmouth-Invitational-Measurement…
Is there any reason why players aren't measured only when barefoot? Are NBA scouts really that bad with numbers? Why not report height in shoes like this, too?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQKKgNC5EpM
Yes, that is the father of former Wolverine (and Trojan) Justin Fargas.
April 12th, 2011 at 12:32 PM ^
I think the practice started at the high school level, as a way for coaches to attract more interest in their undersized players. I don't know if they actually measure the guys in shoes or just add a couple inches. There have been guys whose listed height was anywhere from 2-4 inches more than their actual height (this is especially true for guys listed around 5'9" or 5'10"). Unless they're playing in platforms, that's not a "with shoes on" measurement.
April 12th, 2011 at 12:48 PM ^
It's relevant to basketball in that the rim doesn't get any higher when you put your shoes on.
In my experience, most players at upper levels, college and so forth, are an inch or two shorter than listed heights.
April 12th, 2011 at 12:53 PM ^
Also, while you're looking at numbers like that, pay attention to wingspan. This is very meaningful to NBA players. They typically have wingspans that are longer (sometimes much longer) than their heights.
For some context, I'm 6'3" and had a noteworthy basketball career (small schools). I always thought I had long arms and big hands, so one day I measured: 6'3" wingspan. That's actually normal - height equates to wingspan. Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings: 6'5" height with a 7'2" wingspan - absolute freakshow.
A huge stat for the NBA is actually "standing reach" it's really more important than height.
So if I'm 5'11'' and you're 6'1'' (for example) but you have stubby arms and a long neck, I might actually have a higher standing reach, and thus be able to "play bigger" than you.
Also I've always thought I had a decently large wingspan, but it's actually average for my height. The human average wingspan is 1.07 times your height (found that on the internet somewhere)