The Eight Foot Two Schlub

[WelshMackem]

I was assuming he had/assigning him average skills, the only non-average characteristic being that he's funking enourmous.

In reality the extra height and reach would have to offer some kind of advantage, but I opted to ignore this based on his "maintaing his mediocre athletic ability".

[Breauxdel]

what are the current NBA rules for standing in the paint.....3 seconds? 5 seconds?

[Kneel B4 Zod]

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From a purely athletic standpoint he's probably no more athletic than I was in College, just look at his FT %.

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there are plenty of ridiculous athletes who are bad free throw shooters.

but I agree with you, an 8 foot 2 guy with average athletic ability would be an incredible force in the league, if just for rebounding and defense. think Mutombo, but much much better.

[candyman718]

How do you square that with the fact the guys like Shawn Bradley and Manute Bol were not forces in the NBA and while they did start at times, they were usually outplayed by the opposing team's center?

[cjmewett]

The contention that Dikembe Mutombo was/is only as athletically capable as the average 6 footer and survived (and excelled) in the NBA solely on account of his height is patently absurd.

[mjkidd]

This is a pretty trivial question. He'd be a superstar. If he could shoot 80 percent from the FT line, he'd be the best player who ever lived.

[mjkidd]

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How do you square that with the fact the guys like Shawn Bradley and Manute Bol were not forces in the NBA and while they did start at times, they were usually outplayed by the opposing team's center?

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They were not in the least bit athletic. This guy would be more solidly built, much more athletic, and HALF A FOOT TALLER. This question isn't even close.

[jah7_fsu1]

Ladies and Gentlemen...meet Manute Bol. At 7 feet 7 inches he towered over the competition. His career stats...uhmm, not so towering. 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 3.3 blocks per game.

Depends on his ability, if you make a guy like Manute Bol 8'2...well he still probably isn't gonna be a lot better, maybe up his average to 5 points a game.

[cjmewett]

[ QUOTE ]
35% bigger in all directions. Eight foot two inches, 200 kilos

[/ QUOTE ]The guy was 6', 325 lbs and an average athlete? Make him 325 when he's 8'2" and this is more sensible.

And to answer the original question, no, the guy doesn't start just on account of his size. This isn't to say that he couldn't make it in the league, because with a few years' work he could almost certainly be a starter. Make the guy 20 vice 30 and ask if he can ever start in the NBA and this is probably a clear yes. At 30, with the question being whether or not he can start now, the answer is "almost certainly not."

Those who insist that he would, please name a team and a center ahead of whom this random, "average" 8-footer would start.

[Oski]

This would be like playing Nerf Hoops for the guy. He wouldn't even have to be on his tiptoes to dunk.

At the very least, having him in the paint would open up the rest of the floor to the rest of the team. Because he would be a rebound machine, his team would also be able to take more outside shots and get second chances.

Whether he starts, or not, is not relevant. He would definately play as many minutes as his conditioning would allow.

Bradely and Bol did not have proper mass to go with their height. They were easily moved around. When healthy, Mueresan was very effective. However, he was not often healthy.

The OP seems to imply that the proportions would remain, thus the player would have significant bulk. If that is the case, the player would be alomst impossible to move around.