height divisions in basketball

[pachador]

Since the Philippines is planning to bid to host the FIBA-world qualifiers for the olympics next year, I was thinking that this might be a good time for the Philippines to hold a parallel world basketball championships simultaneously with a height limit of 6 feet and below. This will settle once and for all who is the best in asia and the world. China is good only because they have 1.3 billion people to choose their good 7 footers, but how will china do against countries with shorter players? this will be the final ultimate test of basketball wizardry as to who are the best basketball players in the world pound for pound , inch for inch. This will also dramatize the need that there needs to be height divisions in basketball: at least 2 height divisions ---> unlimited height division and either 6 feet and below or 6'5" and below.
if boxing has weight divisions, then basketball can also have height divisions . it is commonsense and logical.

[HIGHLANDER]

Since the Philippines is planning to bid to host the FIBA-world qualifiers for the olympics next year, I was thinking that this might be a good time for the Philippines to hold a parallel world basketball championships simultaneously with a height limit of 6 feet and below. This will settle once and for all who is the best in asia and the world. China is good only because they have 1.3 billion people to choose their good 7 footers, but how will china do against countries with shorter players? this will be the final ultimate test of basketball wizardry as to who are the best basketball players in the world pound for pound , inch for inch. This will also dramatize the need that there needs to be height divisions in basketball: at least 2 height divisions ---> unlimited height division and either 6 feet and below or 6'5" and below.
if boxing has weight divisions, then basketball can also have height divisions . it is commonsense and logical.

Bollocks..:cool:

[el presidente]

Bollocks? Care to elaborate on that? I think he made a lot of sense. Or has not wearing anything under your kilt left your brain frozen?

[HIGHLANDER]

Ok, i will elaborate. That is the biggest load of bollocks i have ever heard..:cool:

[el presidente]

Ah, an insightful and well-thought out argument. I stand convinced and in awe of your superior reasoning. One by one, you've thoroughly and convincingly shot down each and every point pachador made.

I'm gonna go experiment now and see if eating sheep offal in oatmeal will give debating skills as magnificent as yours.

[rikhardur]

I don't think it makes much sense, the tendency would be to keep separating (by physical constitution, speed, weight, whatever) to the absurd. And besides, having that separation one would never know who the best in the world would be. The comparison with boxing is not accurate, it's a one-to-one sport and the separation makes sense; it's not applicable to team sports. And how would this be solved: a player from a country playing in the low height division grows beyond the allowed limit, he wouldn't play for his national team?

[el presidente]

See, now THAT's an argument. :D See how he crafted his reply to refute the previously made points? Much better than comparing it to testicles.

[pachador]

the perpetuation of no height limits in basketball will forever give an inordinate advantage to countries with tall people

where is the fun in a 7'5" guy blocking a lay-up by a 5'8" guy? unless you take sadistic pleasure in that scenario

besides, all i am suggesting is a simple two height divisions not the absurd granularity of numerous height divisions. , and if a player grows some more then he can play in the unlimited height division or not at all. its that simple.

i say, european countries are just scared of being shown who is the best in basketball if there are height limits. phew ! how can someone feel proud winning a bssketball game because you have a 7 foot or 7'5" giant almost covering the backboard and swatting baskets shot by dwarf players?? thats what i call absurd and pathetic.

[rikhardur]

You know, bottom line height doesn't mean that much. Can you see the Dutch, for instance, being a basketball power?
Countries with height problems just have to solve the problem with new ideas, tactics, training, etc, that's it. Just look at Portugal, the tallest players are 205 cm and still they managed to qualify for this year's Eurobasket for the first time in 50 years.

[Servinio]

WHEN BASKETBALL was introduced in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, there was a proposal to set a height limit for the players (something around 6'5"???) and it was allegedly ratified by all the participating countries.

That boded well for the Philippines, whose tallest player was 6'0" Charles Borck. Suddenly and to all the teams' surprise, the United States shows up with 6'10" giant Joe Fortenberry!

I saw if such a tournament will be held, it must employ strict measuring standards just like the one imposed by the PBA with regards to imports. I believe that is the same system used to ascertain the true heights of applicants in the annual Rookie Draft.

[ctongco]

Since the Philippines is planning to bid to host the FIBA-world qualifiers for the olympics next year, I was thinking that this might be a good time for the Philippines to hold a parallel world basketball championships simultaneously with a height limit of 6 feet and below. This will settle once and for all who is the best in asia and the world. China is good only because they have 1.3 billion people to choose their good 7 footers, but how will china do against countries with shorter players? this will be the final ultimate test of basketball wizardry as to who are the best basketball players in the world pound for pound , inch for inch. This will also dramatize the need that there needs to be height divisions in basketball: at least 2 height divisions ---> unlimited height division and either 6 feet and below or 6'5" and below.
if boxing has weight divisions, then basketball can also have height divisions . it is commonsense and logical.


I do not agree with this one. Not putting any restrictions on basketball will force every Country/NT to form its own basketball identity. Each NT will be forced to use what basketball advantage that they have if they wish to be competitive.

China is an Asian powerhouse not only because of their height but also because they have a strong NT program. This is what the Philippines lack. Through the years China has been developing and exploiting their advantage in height. The Philippines however has a lot of very good players but does not have a good NT program. If we could just have a good NT program that could develop the advantage/s that we have then perhaps we too could be an Asian (or maybe even World) powerhouse. I thinks this is what is happening now to our NT. While many dispute the chosen players of Coach Chot, he may be looking for the right combination of players which can maximize our basketball strengths and negate our disadvantages especially with height.

good day!

[rikhardur]

Nicely put ctongco ;)

[pachador]

our basketball strength is precarious right now. our center position is anchored on 2 aging guys, pennisi and taulava, who are already in their 30s. without this 2 guys, our shaded area is one big hole. our tall star scorer, Seigle, is also aging. The young center on the horizon currently do not have the heft and strength of Taulava. Japet aguilar, our best young tall player on the horizon is skinny and more suited at the power forward. Concerning Gian Chiu , the verdict is still out because his good performance was in a division 4 high achool. The remaining good centers we have are only 6'5" to 6'7", and no amount of massaging of tactics is going to fix our problem at the center position unless you are just content with placing in the top 12 or top 16 in world basketball

my suggestion for height limits is so that countries with short players will have a good chance of landing in the top 6 or top 8. otherwise, we are going to have to fix our center position either thru naturalizing players or hoping for more tall half-breed players both of which , by the way, are fine by me but really just hides our height shortcomings again.

I broadcasted my stand on height issue because you never know, this might reach the FIBA Gods, and the FIBA basketball officials might one day soften their hearts and agree to at least 2 height divisions. otherwise, we will just keep trying and trying our best as the short team that never gives up. Good luck team philipines !



I do not agree with this one. Not putting any restrictions on basketball will force every Country/NT to form its own basketball identity. Each NT will be forced to use what basketball advantage that they have if they wish to be competitive.

China is an Asian powerhouse not only because of their height but also because they have a strong NT program. This is what the Philippines lack. Through the years China has been developing and exploiting their advantage in height. The Philippines however has a lot of very good players but does not have a good NT program. If we could just have a good NT program that could develop the advantage/s that we have then perhaps we too could be an Asian (or maybe even World) powerhouse. I thinks this is what is happening now to our NT. While many dispute the chosen players of Coach Chot, he may be looking for the right combination of players which can maximize our basketball strengths and negate our disadvantages especially with height.

good day!

[pachador]

205cm is 6'9" thats good but you probably have many 6'9" players to choose from. Dont you undestand our tallest good center is an old 6'9" guy named taulava :( At the moment, our other 6'9" players are skinny or soft or slow. or lazy.




You know, bottom line height doesn't mean that much. Can you see the Dutch, for instance, being a basketball power?
Countries with height problems just have to solve the problem with new ideas, tactics, training, etc, that's it. Just look at Portugal, the tallest players are 205 cm and still they managed to qualify for this year's Eurobasket for the first time in 50 years.

[jramoyo]

doesn't make sense to implement this...

unlike weight in boxing, height in basketball does not ensure a superior edge over an oppenent...

as long as the other team's players still have to jump their way to block a shot or to make a basket, there's still a fighting chance

[jramoyo]

and... this is the main reason why fiba allows teams to NATURALIZE a player!

[rikhardur]

205cm is 6'9" thats good but you probably have many 6'9" players to choose from.
Actually no, there aren't that many really. The tallest Portuguese player ever was 207 cm if I'm not mistaken.
But the thing is height does not per se make a good team or good players, there are innumerous examples. In fact there are much more examples of small players succeeding than towering ones.

[pachador]

i dont know if you guys play regularly against tall players. but if not yet , try guarding a good 6'6" player when your only 5'10" like me, and tell me what you think the result will be ? if you guys really feel that height is not an issue, then why is it that that coach chot reyes does not put short guys like 5'8" jimmy Alapag in the center position ?? and the reason is because height is a big difference more so if the tall player is very good. the issue is obviously tall and hovering over all of us but we just skirting and going around in circles around this tall issue . Thats what does not make real sense.



doesn't make sense to implement this...

unlike weight in boxing, height in basketball does not ensure a superior edge over an oppenent...

as long as the other team's players still have to jump their way to block a shot or to make a basket, there's still a fighting chance

[pachador]

maybe , i did not make myself clearer. A good tall player will win most of the time over a good short player.



Actually no, there aren't that many really. The tallest Portuguese player ever was 207 cm if I'm not mistaken.
But the thing is height does not per se make a good team or good players, there are innumerous examples. In fact there are much more examples of small players succeeding than towering ones.

[Joško Poljak Fan]

I doubt many countries would be interested in under 6'5 competitions... neither would sponsors or the fans imho.

height isn't everything, I was once covering a 6'9/6'10 =207cm (and actually a rather good player) being 6'2 myself without him scoring on me from the game for the whole first half... got my nose broken in the second half after he dunked on me, true, but height is obviously far from everything.

[pachador]

On this I agree ! most fans like the entertainment value of basketball more than the pure game aspects of it so i know my height limit thing is just a dream. just a dream..... dream.... dream...........:( oh well, thats life.......



I doubt many countries would be interested in under 6'5 competitions... neither would sponsors or the fans imho.

.

[rikhardur]

The Philipines seem to be recovering from many difficulties which fortunately are now part of the past. Give it time with proper planning and organization and the results will come up. Once again Portugal is an example of this.
You'll see ;)

[pachador]

I hope so too. I was just trying to give the philippine basketball area all the help it can get by suggesting the height limit issue. every little help counts =) Thanks for wishing our team the best =)


The Philipines seem to be recovering from many difficulties which fortunately are now part of the past. Give it time with proper planning and organization and the results will come up. Once again Portugal is an example of this.
You'll see ;)

[FilWelsh]

Since the Philippines is planning to bid to host the FIBA-world qualifiers for the olympics next year, I was thinking that this might be a good time for the Philippines to hold a parallel world basketball championships simultaneously with a height limit of 6 feet and below. This will settle once and for all who is the best in asia and the world. China is good only because they have 1.3 billion people to choose their good 7 footers, but how will china do against countries with shorter players? this will be the final ultimate test of basketball wizardry as to who are the best basketball players in the world pound for pound , inch for inch. This will also dramatize the need that there needs to be height divisions in basketball: at least 2 height divisions ---> unlimited height division and either 6 feet and below or 6'5" and below.
if boxing has weight divisions, then basketball can also have height divisions . it is commonsense and logical.

I'll buy your idea, Philippines could be doing well in international basketball if we have this height divisions. Let's say 6' 7 " and below, and your country could be unstoppable in Asia as there could be no more Yao and Yi in that division.

[ctongco]

i dont know if you guys play regularly against tall players. but if not yet , try guarding a good 6'6" player when your only 5'10" like me, and tell me what you think the result will be ? if you guys really feel that height is not an issue, then why is it that that coach chot reyes does not put short guys like 5'8" jimmy Alapag in the center position ?? and the reason is because height is a big difference more so if the tall player is very good. the issue is obviously tall and hovering over all of us but we just skirting and going around in circles around this tall issue . Thats what does not make real sense.


Well, over the past year I have not played basketball as I am concentrating on my job (hehe... first job after graduation). But before that I played a lot of basketball. More than often I guard bigger players. I am 5'3 and I'm used to guard players bigger than me, usually players standing from 5'9-6'5. During High School I lived near college dorms and I played against college players and college varsity players. I was 5'0 and I did not think that height was a problem for me. I could easily drive against taller defenders and use the board a lot to help me score. On defense I played straight up physical defense. This does little to prevent them from scoring but I could play competitive with them despite the Height difference. At college I play with my friends and still I'm the shortest at 5'3 with the tallest that we have at 5'10 yet we could be competitive. I'm not a very very good player but I play competitive against taller players because I am intimidated by the size.

The reason why Alapag is not playing center is because he is a point guard. I do agree that Height will be difference especially if the player is good. This why teams have a coaching staff. The coaching staff makes strategies and tactics to use the teams strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

good day!

[kalamity131]

Well, over the past year I have not played basketball as I am concentrating on my job (hehe... first job after graduation). But before that I played a lot of basketball. More than often I guard bigger players. I am 5'3 and I'm used to guard players bigger than me, usually players standing from 5'9-6'5. During High School I lived near college dorms and I played against college players and college varsity players. I was 5'0 and I did not think that height was a problem for me. I could easily drive against taller defenders and use the board a lot to help me score. On defense I played straight up physical defense. This does little to prevent them from scoring but I could play competitive with them despite the Height difference. At college I play with my friends and still I'm the shortest at 5'3 with the tallest that we have at 5'10 yet we could be competitive. I'm not a very very good player but I play competitive against taller players because I am intimidated by the size.

The reason why Alapag is not playing center is because he is a point guard. I do agree that Height will be difference especially if the player is good. This why teams have a coaching staff. The coaching staff makes strategies and tactics to use the teams strengths and minimize their weaknesses.

good day!


You make a valid argument ctongco. But I imagine those games you played are "larong kalye" or street basketball. I myself am about 6'0" tall and I've had my share of guarding 5'3" players like yourself. I admit you will be tricky to defend but not difficult, it's pretty easy in fact-one on one that is. All a taller player has to do is to keep a smaller player from driving. Stay at a comfortable distance that won't allow the shorter player to drive while staying close enough to block a shot should the smaller player decide to take a jump shot. Yes they'll score time and again but that's normal. Most of the time a taller player would either thwart the atempt or bock the shot. That's assuming that both players are athletic.

So there, I've stated my point. And I agree that height is might-in basketball. A basketball with height divisions would'nt hurt. Basketball has age divisions-midgets,juniors,seniors,etc.-so why not try height divisions? I am just imagining boxing without weight divisions-Manny Pacquiao slugging it out with Evander Hollyfield. Do you see the folly of it?

[kukoc7]

Then again, boxing is a one-to-one game, unlike basketball. I don't buy the height is might thing. The beauty of basketball is not only in the "physical" aspect, but also in the mental aspect. A giant standing over the goal?? Device a way to move that giant! It's so nice to watch the crips passing and off-the ball player movements of smaller teams in an effort to erase any size advantage their opponents have.

[real75]

I don't think it's a good idea....

We might as well have other games with different category....let us say basketball for palyers over 350 lbs....

[anti_morales]

I agree that proper strategy and superior athleticism would trash away the idea height division. I remember the USA NT, against european teams, they play post up and bang bodies. Against China NT whose average height is 6'9, they played quick. They bang bodies against the slimmer guards, intercept balls intended for yao ming, and ran a lot during their game. They don't run a lot against european teams with almost equal height. The result, USA NT shredded China NT to little bits and pieces.

I don't think it's a good idea....

We might as well have other games with different category....let us say basketball for palyers over 350 lbs....

[HIGHLANDER]

Ah, an insightful and well-thought out argument. I stand convinced and in awe of your superior reasoning. One by one, you've thoroughly and convincingly shot down each and every point pachador made.

I'm gonna go experiment now and see if eating sheep offal in oatmeal will give debating skills as magnificent as yours.

Thanks for the compliment..
http://img100.imageshack.us/my.php?image=scottishblackfaceweb2dj2.jpg
Actually, haggis is quite tasty..

[jramoyo]

i dont know if you guys play regularly against tall players. but if not yet , try guarding a good 6'6" player when your only 5'10" like me, and tell me what you think the result will be ? if you guys really feel that height is not an issue, then why is it that that coach chot reyes does not put short guys like 5'8" jimmy Alapag in the center position ?? and the reason is because height is a big difference more so if the tall player is very good. the issue is obviously tall and hovering over all of us but we just skirting and going around in circles around this tall issue . Thats what does not make real sense.

uhm... i don't know... common sense i guess? :confused:
besides, do you think the height ratio is close to 5'10":6'6"??

[pachador]

it depends where you play. in the philippines most guards are below 6 feet except in the PBL and PBA where 6 feet and above guards are more common. in both cases, a 5'10" player has a decent chance of providing decent defensive coverage on a 6'2" guy as long as the 5'10" guy is quick or better still quicker.

the height ratio or disparity is more acute in the U.S. for example where the average american is 5'9" in height . I live in california , and depending where you play pick-up games 6 foot and taller guards are common. in fact one of the guys i play with or against during pick-up games is 6'3" guard with the Asian Fookien(chinese)club composed of chinese-americans who have played high school or college varsity. this chinese-american club competes regularly in the HongKong Super Kung Sheung Cup where the Fedex PBA team also plays. This same chinese-american team beat FedEx PBA team in that tournamnet. When i am guarding him under the basket , i have a chance because i can get help defense , but when he is running a fastbreak he runs like a horse and is very hard to stop unless i either chop his hands for a foul or if im lucky grab the ball out of his hands because his vertical leap is so high he can slap the backboard before dunking the ball. one time , i was forced to guard a 6'6" black american and my God one time he tried to jump over my head and i smelled his stinky azzz, and he fell down because his baggy shorts caught on my head :D
when i play with fellow filipinos in los angeles the height difference is very small and its so much easier pero the problem is that there are some filipino ballers specially the ones in the top leagues whose hang time is up there. there is this fil-am about 5'11" that we call the "helicopter" because when he jumps and the defender also jumps, by the time the defender has gone back down to the ground , he is still sailing twisting his body in acrobatic movements then releasing the ball as he is going back to earth. also a lot of filipinos specially the oldies like to use karate chop on your hand when you go for lay-up



do you think the height ratio is close to 5'10":6'6"??

[kalamity131]

Due to th interesting comments of my fellow forumers, I've thought of starting a forum titled "HEIGHT IS MIGHT." Unfortunately I only have time for this short "advertisement." So, if any of you out there have time to make an "essay," feel free to do it as I am very busy this week. It's enrollment time in the Philippines FYI.:)

[HIGHLANDER]

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5260/funnybasketballlw5thqb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Would this be the under 5'00" and under grade..:cool:

[pachador]

thats correct , they have midget or dwarf players in the philippines like the ones in the photo below. dont let them dribble under your skirt though because they might rebound your balls :D


http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5260/funnybasketballlw5thqb9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Would this be the under 5'00" and under grade..:cool:

[VII]

guys read this

FAR from being a chance creation, Chinese basketball giant Yao Ming was knowingly bred for the sport, forced into it against his will and subjected to years of dubious science to increase his height, a new book claims.

The 228-centimetre Houston Rockets centre also underwent years of punishing training as one of hundreds of thousands of potential Chinese athletes who endure miserable childhoods in boot-camp conditions.

The revelations in Operation Yao Ming, by former Newsweek journalist Brook Larmer, are likely to raise further disquiet over China's Soviet-style sports system ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Larmer said Yao, China's first successful basketball export and its most famous face worldwide, was the product of a harsh and antiquated program which has changed little since it was set up more than 50 years ago under Mao Zedong.

"Yao on one hand is this great symbol of China's modern advancement, a commercial icon that can stride across the Pacific and play the role of a bridge between East and West," he said. "But he's still the product of this system which is one of the last bastions of socialism in China."

Larmer says Yao's birth had been anticipated for decades by communist officials - desperate to boost national pride through sports - who had been tracking his family for two generations.

He describes a system where doctors armed with special growth-predicting manuals measure youngsters' bones and pubic hair to identify future athletes. Weightlifters must be squat with strong torsos; divers need tiny hips to minimise splash; basketball players must simply be tall.

"It's no accident that there have been generations of players who have continued to get taller," he said. "One of the first NBA scouts was blown away when he went to northern China and saw more than 20 seven-footers [213cm]."

Yao's grandfather, one of Shanghai's tallest men, was discovered too late for basketball but his son, the 205cm Yao Zhiyuan, soon found himself dragged into the sports system.

There he was paired off with the 182cm Fang Fengdi, China's women's captain who had been a feared Red Guard during the murderous Cultural Revolution.

The two were encouraged to marry in a system with undertones of eugenics, the controversial gene-pool manipulation espoused by the Nazis and previously trumpeted by Beijing.

"It wasn't a national breeding program, it was a desire among Shanghai officials for them to get together," Larmer said. "But when Yao was born, everybody in the sports community in Shanghai and nationally knew he was something special."

The giant infant, who was just eight years old when he reached the average Chinese male's height of 171cm, was recruited for basketball despite his parents' objections and his own hatred for the sport.

"Even when his parents resisted at first to put him in the same system that had caused them some suffering and bitterness, there was not a lot of choice," Larmer said.

"He hated the game for a decade. He didn't like it, he wasn't any good at it."

The eight-year-old Yao embarked on a program of intense, repetitive training under disciplinarian coaches who offered little encouragement or variety.

Meanwhile, scientists fed him a steady stream of mysterious concoctions designed to make him taller, raising the spectre of possible hormone treatment at a time when China was suffering a series of doping scandals.

"In Yao's case I don't have any proof … [but] in that period of time in the 1990s they were using all kinds of experimental stuff to enhance players' stamina and strength," Larmer said.

"One would think that as China can flex its muscle economically, militarily, diplomatically, that it wouldn't need sports as a crutch.

"But sport is such a visible, exciting measure for China's position in the world, and national feeling is so strong, I don't think that's going to be easy to give up. Gold medals have become an addiction. How do you kick the habit when you've reached the top?"

http://www.smh.com.au/news/basketbal...28.html?page=2

[Burndvinyard]

he is still sailing twisting his body in acrobatic movements then releasing the ball as he is going back to earth. also a lot of filipinos specially the oldies like to use karate chop on your hand when you go for lay-up

karate chop! haha. that's reminiscent of the circa 80's PBA mano! :D rudy distrito, ricky relosa, sonny cabatu, ed ducut, dante gonzalgo, sonny jaworski! wachaa!!:D :D

[el presidente]

guys read this

FAR from being a chance creation, Chinese basketball giant Yao Ming was knowingly bred for the sport, forced into it against his will and subjected to years of dubious science to increase his height, a new book claims.

The 228-centimetre Houston Rockets centre also underwent years of punishing training as one of hundreds of thousands of potential Chinese athletes who endure miserable childhoods in boot-camp conditions.

The revelations in Operation Yao Ming, by former Newsweek journalist Brook Larmer, are likely to raise further disquiet over China's Soviet-style sports system ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Larmer said Yao, China's first successful basketball export and its most famous face worldwide, was the product of a harsh and antiquated program which has changed little since it was set up more than 50 years ago under Mao Zedong.

"Yao on one hand is this great symbol of China's modern advancement, a commercial icon that can stride across the Pacific and play the role of a bridge between East and West," he said. "But he's still the product of this system which is one of the last bastions of socialism in China."

Larmer says Yao's birth had been anticipated for decades by communist officials - desperate to boost national pride through sports - who had been tracking his family for two generations.

He describes a system where doctors armed with special growth-predicting manuals measure youngsters' bones and pubic hair to identify future athletes. Weightlifters must be squat with strong torsos; divers need tiny hips to minimise splash; basketball players must simply be tall.

"It's no accident that there have been generations of players who have continued to get taller," he said. "One of the first NBA scouts was blown away when he went to northern China and saw more than 20 seven-footers [213cm]."

Yao's grandfather, one of Shanghai's tallest men, was discovered too late for basketball but his son, the 205cm Yao Zhiyuan, soon found himself dragged into the sports system.

There he was paired off with the 182cm Fang Fengdi, China's women's captain who had been a feared Red Guard during the murderous Cultural Revolution.

The two were encouraged to marry in a system with undertones of eugenics, the controversial gene-pool manipulation espoused by the Nazis and previously trumpeted by Beijing.

"It wasn't a national breeding program, it was a desire among Shanghai officials for them to get together," Larmer said. "But when Yao was born, everybody in the sports community in Shanghai and nationally knew he was something special."

The giant infant, who was just eight years old when he reached the average Chinese male's height of 171cm, was recruited for basketball despite his parents' objections and his own hatred for the sport.

"Even when his parents resisted at first to put him in the same system that had caused them some suffering and bitterness, there was not a lot of choice," Larmer said.

"He hated the game for a decade. He didn't like it, he wasn't any good at it."

The eight-year-old Yao embarked on a program of intense, repetitive training under disciplinarian coaches who offered little encouragement or variety.

Meanwhile, scientists fed him a steady stream of mysterious concoctions designed to make him taller, raising the spectre of possible hormone treatment at a time when China was suffering a series of doping scandals.

"In Yao's case I don't have any proof … [but] in that period of time in the 1990s they were using all kinds of experimental stuff to enhance players' stamina and strength," Larmer said.

"One would think that as China can flex its muscle economically, militarily, diplomatically, that it wouldn't need sports as a crutch.

"But sport is such a visible, exciting measure for China's position in the world, and national feeling is so strong, I don't think that's going to be easy to give up. Gold medals have become an addiction. How do you kick the habit when you've reached the top?"

http://www.smh.com.au/news/basketbal...28.html?page=2

Well, it's not as bad as it sounds. In Chinese culture, arranged marriages are common. It's just that in this case the State takes the place of the couple's parents.

[VII]

guys read this

Meanwhile, scientists fed him a steady stream of mysterious concoctions designed to make him taller, raising the spectre of possible hormone treatment at a time when China was suffering a series of doping scandals.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/basketbal...28.html?page=2

you missed this one part dude...

i know about the arrange marriage...even ill do it.. =)
it says here...they fed him...althought it cant be proven.. but ill bet it can be done

[HIGHLANDER]

thats correct , they have midget or dwarf players in the philippines like the ones in the photo below. dont let them dribble under your skirt though because they might rebound your balls :D

They would not be able to reach. Besides i would be in the over 6'0" league..:cool: