[jaysmith1987Participant]

 I believe in the scouting community to much emphasis is being put on size. With the way the game has changed to pace and space and the emphasis on skill height isn’t really as important as it used to be. Small ball has taken over the game so guys like Malik monk coming in the league now are more valuable. I think more emphasis should be put on quickness and skill. The zone defense has made shooting and quickness more important than ball handling in my opinion.

[Robb_CParticipant]

Historically, the best team defenses have an average size of 78-79 inches overall, Same goes with some of the top offenses.. Rarely do great teams average below the league average in height.. 

 

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 That’s what she said.

[BiggysmallsParticipant]

 There’s a pretty reasonable emphasis on size. It’s important. Its not end all be all but if there are two players equal in talent and one is 5 inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, that’s tipping the scales. 

In a guy like Monk’s case because he’s the hot topic today, you’ve got a guy who plays like a pure shooting guard without the SG measurables. He’s not that quick. His handles aren’t great. So he’s going to have to be a jumper shooter. And if he’s short for his position, that could be an issue when he’s checked by guys 2 or 3 inches taller than him. 

 

 

[Kokayne_DawkinzParticipant]

 That’s a fair analysis only Monk is pretty much lighting quick  in the open floor when he’s not trying to pull up and has a mean first step

[holefillers1Participant]

 I would say size isn’t as important if you have handles. Got to be able to create for yourself.  

[jaysmith1987Participant]

We will have to see how monk transitions. I keep hearing on this forum that he is not quick and his handle isn’t that great but I did see him low past Joel berry with and in an out move. Not to say Joel berry is even NBA material but a lot of times prospects look less athletic then they are because of the congestion of college defenses with the 2-3 and players camping in the paint. A few years ago everyone was convinced Jabari Parker wasn’t that athletic and was a Paul Pierce now everyone will admit he is a boma fide athlete. It is important not to get to caught up in measurables cuz Russel Westbrook had a worse vertical than oj mayo and overall measurables but in the game u would never know that. Monk could be benefiting from fox and the team but we will see.

[Bankroll PJParticipant]

I would want to see how Monk transitions to the NBA before we start using him as an example because he hit a lot of tough shots shots last night. Nevertheless, incredible performance.

Additionally, while teams are getting shorter, they’re also getting longer. Height alone doesn’t mean that much anymore because scouts are more interested in wingspans and standing reach. 

 

[Hype Machine]

The reason teams are getting shorter is because the league protects smaller weaker players. Its a better product as a result though. 

In other eras players could handcheck, bump and funnel players into 7 footers who didnt have restricted zones under the hoop or flagrant fouls to worry about if they wanted to intimidate.

The balance has shifted from being a bigman sport to a ball-handlers league. I’d like to see if some of these skilled, young bigmen can restore the importance of bigs.

But I wont lose any sleep if unskilled, space eating bigs are phased out of the league because the sport needs to reward more than just size and those players have very little entertainment value. 

 

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