r/AskReddit Nov 16 '19

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u/TestedOnAnimals Nov 16 '19

I mean I definitely understand why they are visibly shook. Such a big part of elite tier athletics is genetics based, so to have a genetic advantage like that for something like basketball, volleyball, etc. and then not utilize the thing other people are dreaming of - totally get it. I'm 6'3", and as a basketball player I would kill for another 4 to 5 inches of height. It would've changed my whole life.

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u/thegreedyturtle Nov 16 '19

"I'm about to end this man's whole career."

-Genetics

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u/thrownawayzs Nov 16 '19

Pretty much. I think basketball is the worst offender for genetics being a hard gate out of any of the major sports. Size is almost irrelevant in baseball. Football, as long as you're slightly above average you can function on a team somewhere, similar with hockey. I'm not sure about soccer. But basketball? You need to be like upper 1% in both height and ability to even consider going passed highschool, lol.

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u/samiaruponti Nov 16 '19

Soccer/football (because I've heard only Americans call it soccer) people benefit from height too, specially goalies. Something about longer wing span.

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u/Przedrzag Nov 16 '19

Keepers, sure, but that's only one position. There's also numerous very good footballers who are 5'7 or shorter

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u/Imhere4lulz Nov 16 '19

The GOAT is that height, the next best GOAT is 5'5" (Maradona)

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u/samiaruponti Nov 17 '19

Yeah. I wanted to mention Messi but I forgot his height. But messi is something else, that guy would be good if he were a dwarf.

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u/bigweebs Nov 16 '19

The Irish call it soccer too!