Does Height Matter in Basketball

We all know that in the Nba there are many different sizes of athletes. Some big, some small, some weak. But bunch of people have been wondering if height matters in basketball. Players who have height have some advantages and some disadvantages. Above average height basketball players have the advantages of being able to get a rebound easier, protect the basket easier and looks big on the court which can intimated other players. Also they have better strength, longer reach, better visibility, and less likely to become dehydrated. They depend on there height a lot. Even tho some big prove that they can do the same abilities as guards. In this video right here we can see that Yao Ming shows a nice dribble move to get around a defender and shows that not only guards can dribble but big men as well.

Mean while under average players or shorter players don't have those abilities. they're less depend on there height. Yes short players can grab rebounds, protect the baskets and can do what centers or power forwards can do but not as easy as tall players. Short players have the advantages of manipulating the ball better. Tall players are higher off the ground and its very hard for them to be able to dribble and not get the ball stolen because they're less accurate. Also short players are quicker, have better balance, agility and lower center gravity and faster reaction times. Guards in the Nba have way better endurance then the bigger men. For example lets think about Russel Westbrook from the Oklahoma City Thunder compared to Roy Hibbert from the Idiana Pacers. Russel Westbrook is such an explosive player and runs way more in a game then Roy Hibbert but still Russel stays on the court for a longer time because he wont get as tired as Roy. And let`s not forget about when the 5`9 Nate Robinson blocks 7`6 Yao Ming, 7`5 Shaquille O'neal and the best player in the world, 6`8 Lebron James.  Watch Yao Ming get blocked right here. Also Chris Paul prooving that its not only big men who can get up high and slam over every little player. He shows us that small guards like him can also rise to the hoop and slam on big men.

Nate Robinson dunks on Yao Ming

Chris Paul 6`1 dunks on Dwight Howard 6`11 

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So its exactly why having short and tall people in the Nba make the game very interesting and fun to watch because all those different aspects combined make a crazy show and put on some crazy highlights. I can`t even imagine having either only guards or only big men in the Nba. All the alley-oops and pick & roll plays wont be as fun. The height difference makes some creative moments in the Nba.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/nba/top-stories/Height-doesnt-matter-to-excel-in-basketball-say-NBA-stars/articleshow/23055701.cms

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Height_in_sports#Basketball

http://www.debate.org/opinions/should-basketball-have-height-divisions-like-wrestling-boxing-has-weight-divisions