I remember clearly the first day of basketball practice each year. "How tall are you?"
"5'9"
"OK then, you're 5'11"
"Sweet"
Regardless of what height I was listed, my imposingness remained minimal. However, when a guy has been listed as 6'10 his whole career, it's newsworthy to me when it's determined he's actually 6'7. Especially when that NBA Draft Prospect has a chance of going #1 overall.
Last week, the NBA held it's annual pre-draft camp in Orlando where all the second tier players fight for attention, while the top prospects just get measured and speak with each club.
Turns out Michael Beasley is 6'7 without shoes and just 6'8 1/4 with shoes on. Funny, he's been listed as 6'10 since he was a senior in high school and I distinctly remember talk of him pushing 7-feet during his McDonald's All-American Game.
I realize the unveiling of Beasley's real height doesn't diminish any of his accomplishments in college or bring into question his talents. But I definitely think there's a difference between dominating in the NBA lane at 6'10 and 6'7.
For what it's worth, Derrick Rose measured in at just under 6'2 (2 inches shorter than he was listed), Kevin Love measured just 1/4 inch shorter than Beasley, and Brook Lopez was indeed a legit 7-footer.
Care at all about the newly adjusted measurements of the draft prospects or is it an overrated aspect of the evaluation process?
Entire NBA Pre-Draft Camp Measurements, Combine Results Released [DraftExpress]
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