Longevity of Big Men

[Schnerres]

Am I the only one who thinks Porzingis will have trouble staying on the court?

I looked on the list of players 7´3 or taller. The only players to score 10k points in that list are Big Z and Rik Smits. Ilgauskas played 13 seasons and played 75+ games (random cut-off from me) in 6 seasons, 843 total games. Smits played 12 seasons and played 75+ games in 7 seasons, 867 total games.

The only other players with 500+ games above 7´3 are: Shawn Bradley, Mark Eaton, Manute Bol, Randy Breuer.
As Porzingis already has 130+ games, he should easily make that list. I do not know if he can play 100 games a season. And I don´t think he can play 80+ games (like 65 regular season+15 playoff games) while staying in great long term shape.

 

[ishmael]

Am I the only one who thinks Porzingis will have trouble staying on the court?

I looked on the list of players 7´3 or taller. The only players to score 10k points in that list are Big Z and Rik Smits. Ilgauskas played 13 seasons and played 75+ games (random cut-off from me) in 6 seasons, 843 total games. Smits played 12 seasons and played 75+ games in 7 seasons, 867 total games.

The only other players with 500+ games above 7´3 are: Shawn Bradley, Mark Eaton, Manute Bol, Randy Breuer.
As Porzingis already has 130+ games, he should easily make that list. I do not know if he can play 100 games a season. And I don´t think he can play 80+ games (like 65 regular season+15 playoff games) while staying in great long term shape.

Kind of amazing that Yao Ming didn't even reach 10,000 points in his NBA career.

 

[Swedgin]

Am I the only one who thinks Porzingis will have trouble staying on the court?

I looked on the list of players 7´3 or taller. The only players to score 10k points in that list are Big Z and Rik Smits. Ilgauskas played 13 seasons and played 75+ games (random cut-off from me) in 6 seasons, 843 total games. Smits played 12 seasons and played 75+ games in 7 seasons, 867 total games.

The only other players with 500+ games above 7´3 are: Shawn Bradley, Mark Eaton, Manute Bol, Randy Breuer.
As Porzingis already has 130+ games, he should easily make that list. I do not know if he can play 100 games a season. And I don´t think he can play 80+ games (like 65 regular season+15 playoff games) while staying in great long term shape.

Kareem did ok on the longevity front. I know he was listed shorter but most accounts I have read peg his actual height around 7'4.

 

[nighthob]

Unless Parish was 7'2" and Ralph Sampson 7'6", I'd say the listed height was pretty close to accurate.

 

[PedroKsBambino]

Am I the only one who thinks Porzingis will have trouble staying on the court?

I looked on the list of players 7´3 or taller. The only players to score 10k points in that list are Big Z and Rik Smits. Ilgauskas played 13 seasons and played 75+ games (random cut-off from me) in 6 seasons, 843 total games. Smits played 12 seasons and played 75+ games in 7 seasons, 867 total games.

The only other players with 500+ games above 7´3 are: Shawn Bradley, Mark Eaton, Manute Bol, Randy Breuer.
As Porzingis already has 130+ games, he should easily make that list. I do not know if he can play 100 games a season. And I don´t think he can play 80+ games (like 65 regular season+15 playoff games) while staying in great long term shape.

This is an excellent point I had not really thought about. Even worse (looking forward) most of those guys had games that were paint-oriented and much less dependent on movement than Zinger's game is, and will be.

The best comp height and style-wise is perhaps Ralph Sampson, and putting aside the failure to achieve his ceiling his health also failed relatively early (only played more than 61 games his first three seasons, the last at age 25)

The most hopeful comp you could look at might be Rasheed Wallace---who was only 7-0 but had the same all-over-the-court game, perimeter jumper, shot blocking style and played 75 games at 30+ minutes into his 30s, with a couple less active seasons to finish up at 35. But that's a material drop in size, too.

 

[the moops]

The most hopeful comp you could look at might be Rasheed Wallace---who was only 7-0 but had the same all-over-the-court game, perimeter jumper, shot blocking style and played 75 games at 30+ minutes into his 30s, with a couple less active seasons to finish up at 35. But that's a material drop in size, too.

The most hopeful comp is Dirk Nowitizki who is still playing basketball at age 38

 

[PedroKsBambino]

The most hopeful comp is Dirk Nowitizki who is still playing basketball at age 38

Yes, fair point. Dirk was always really a perimeter guy and thus has a different game (and less movement) than Porzingis or Wallace, your point still stands overall I'd say.

 

[pjheff]

Yes, fair point. Dirk was always really a perimeter guy and thus has a different game (and less movement) than Porzingis or Wallace, your point still stands overall I'd say.

Both Dirk and Sheed are below Schnerres' cutoff point of 7'3", however.

 

[Sprowl]

Split from the Brooklyn Nets thread.

 

[ElUno20]

I'd echo the point on Dirk. He made a career of operating in these small areas on the court with the occasional drive to the hoop. Less damage on the body.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

The fact that Porzingis has already had problems with his feet give me huge pause. I would not trade the #1 pick for him. A foot problem for someone that tall is a death sentence.