Which NBA player would be the best decathlete ?

I had a 6'8" HJ in high school and decent [~50] 400m speed

I think you'd be hard-pressed to find somebody to beat me

NBA players are for the most part, all too tall. Ashton Eaton is 6' 1", 185 lbs. The average NBA player is around 6' 7". Someone once the described the decathlon as a running event for strong people. Most of the decathlon running events are sprints and NBA players are just too tall to get up to speed quickly. The only decathlon event where being an NBA player would be an advantage would of course be the high jump.

Westbrook, Donovan Mitchell, Dennis Smith jr

NBA players like John Wall, Dennis Smith etc are 6'3,6'4 and super explosive. They are also extremely fast sprinters and have 40+ inch verticals. That would definitely provide a competitive advantage.

AI

Shawn Kemp

Andre Iguodala wrote:

I had a 6'8" HJ in high school and decent [~50] 400m speed

I think you'd be hard-pressed to find somebody to beat me

I'm with you if it wasn't for your age.

I feel like Westbrook, CJ McCollum, Dame Lillard, Buddy Hield, Donovan Mitchell, Terry Rozier, Jeremy Lin, and John Wall could thrive in the multi events.

Ricky Rubio and Kyrie come to mind too, but I'm not so certain about them,

Les wrote:

NBA players are for the most part, all too tall. Ashton Eaton is 6' 1", 185 lbs. The average NBA player is around 6' 7". Someone once the described the decathlon as a running event for strong people. Most of the decathlon running events are sprints and NBA players are just too tall to get up to speed quickly. The only decathlon event where being an NBA player would be an advantage would of course be the high jump.

You don't know what you're talking about. Trey Hardee is 6'5". Usain Bolt is 6'5". Height is not a problem, in fact it's a an advantage in the jumps, hurdles, and discus throw.

Wilt Chamberlain had competitive marks in HS in most of the decathlon events.

Andre Iguodala wrote:

I had a 6'8" HJ in high school and decent [~50] 400m speed

I think you'd be hard-pressed to find somebody to beat me

Eaton, while being 5" shorter has a 6'11" HJ and 45.00 400m. Iguodala would not be competitive at the world class level. He would be totally discombobulated by the skill events like the pole vault and javelin.

LonSona wrote:

NBA players like John Wall, Dennis Smith etc are 6'3,6'4 and super explosive. They are also extremely fast sprinters and have 40+ inch verticals. That would definitely provide a competitive advantage.

Doubtful the above-mentioned players are "extremely fast" sprinters. The NBA court is only 94 feet (28m) long. Top sprinters need 50-60 meters to get to top speed. NBA players can never run (nor do they ever have to) run at top speed because the court is too short. By the time they got to 50 meters, an NBA player would already be winded and losing speed. Also, while not tall for NBA players, they would be tall for sprinters and would have a hard time with starts. They would be several meters behind early in the race and not have the top end speed to catch up. NBA skills like explosiveness/jumping would not help their shot, discus, javelin and pole vault -- events that require strength and technique.

George Muresan

/thread

Mike Conley Jr probably has some track and field talent.

Les wrote:

Andre Iguodala wrote:

I had a 6'8" HJ in high school and decent [~50] 400m speed

I think you'd be hard-pressed to find somebody to beat me

Eaton, while being 5" shorter has a 6'11" HJ and 45.00 400m. Iguodala would not be competitive at the world class level. He would be totally discombobulated by the skill events like the pole vault and javelin.

Nice non-sequitur. We're only worried about other basketball players. I'd do just fine in the javelin btw. I hear you on the pole vault tho.

Les wrote:

NBA players are for the most part, all too tall. Ashton Eaton is 6' 1", 185 lbs. The average NBA player is around 6' 7". Someone once the described the decathlon as a running event for strong people. Most of the decathlon running events are sprints and NBA players are just too tall to get up to speed quickly. The only decathlon event where being an NBA player would be an advantage would of course be the high jump.

This is a continuing fallacy promoted by LRC.

NBA players cannot get up to speed quickly enough?

Have you seen Lebron sprint down the court? Bolt is 6'5", he was not bad.

They would not be any good at the 1500M.

Of course, they work their a$$ off for 40 minutes each game. The 1500 at the end would be the easiest part.

They would have a mechanical advantage at any of the throwing and jumping events.

Their size would put them at a disadvantage in only the hurdles or pole vault.

Les wrote:

By the time they got to 50 meters, an NBA player would already be winded and losing speed.

Well, this is the dumbest thing I've read today.

Les wrote:

NBA players are for the most part, all too tall. Ashton Eaton is 6' 1", 185 lbs. The average NBA player is around 6' 7". Someone once the described the decathlon as a running event for strong people. Most of the decathlon running events are sprints and NBA players are just too tall to get up to speed quickly. The only decathlon event where being an NBA player would be an advantage would of course be the high jump.

There are huge decathletes. One of the all time greats, Jurgen Hingsen is 6'7"

Only difference is that the decathlete is much stronger than the basketball player

no, not really wrote:

Les wrote:

NBA players are for the most part, all too tall. Ashton Eaton is 6' 1", 185 lbs. The average NBA player is around 6' 7". Someone once the described the decathlon as a running event for strong people. Most of the decathlon running events are sprints and NBA players are just too tall to get up to speed quickly. The only decathlon event where being an NBA player would be an advantage would of course be the high jump.

There are huge decathletes. One of the all time greats, Jurgen Hingsen is 6'7"

Only difference is that the decathlete is much stronger than the basketball player

Well said. If the NBA / NFL didn't exist, the US Olympic team would be incredible.

I think Pro basketball players are among the best athletes in the world but- we had a 6'3 pentathlete (State Champ twice) and he had a hard time 3 stepping- actually had to chop his stride- that makes hurdles tough.

I also think they'd have a hard time with the shot and disc because of their height- just staying in the circle.

Pole vault might also present a challenge to some because of their height.

But, the "shorter" guys- they might do well.

John Wall sprinting vs Aries Merritt. Seems to be able to hold his own: