Author Topic: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?  (Read 38022 times)

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Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« on: April 24, 2009, 09:55:30 PM »

Offline bdm860

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This is something that has always been on my mind,especially when Shaq was dominating the league. Could the big wrestlers make good NBA players or at least decent NBA players?

I'm not talking about the regular big guys like the Undertaker or Kevin Nash, but more about the really big guys like the Big Show and The Great Khali.  I figure how could these guys not be able to be at least decent NBA players.  They have the size, strength, athleticism, and agility, and let's face it when you're that size you don't need that much skill. 

If you took guys like the Big Show and The Great Khali in their athletic primes (whenever you think that was) how do you think they'd do if you put them on an NBA team?  Maybe just tell them to play defense?  Maybe just tell them to guard Shaq?  How about if you have Clifford Ray work with them for the summer then have them play?  Would they be decent players, or at least back ups, end of bench guys? Or would they make Bryant Reeves, Greg Ostertag, and Thomas Hamilton look like Hall of Famers? What do you guys think?

And I could actually see some team trying to do this as a publicity stunt. (Mark Cuban!)

I actually did a little research on this, but just wanted to know what you guys thought, if anything, before I post some more on this.
« Last Edit: April 24, 2009, 10:47:20 PM by bdm860 »

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Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2009, 10:03:40 PM »

Offline Redz

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Hmmm, it's sort of a Pygmalion type question.

Size is size, but the athleticism involved in hoops and pro wrestling are quite different.  I know at the high school and even college levels you'll see a hoops team raid the football team for a meaty big man to set picks and grab boards.  I guess it could work.

I'd love to see Super Fly Snooka out there though.
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Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2009, 10:26:33 PM »

Offline davemonsterband

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I prefer the could olympic sprinters make credible pinch runners or punt returners. I know it's a different science, but come on, who would catch Donovan Bailey back in the day? Michael Johnson sure couldn't. Loser. That's aside, Big Show in the lane, holla! How about Big Show the hockey the hockey goalie? Always wondered that one as well. Aside from pad restrictions, wee bit of an issue.
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Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2009, 10:35:15 PM »

Offline bostonfan23

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In short, no. Not at all.

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2009, 10:37:09 PM »

Offline xmuscularghandix

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yes they could, because alot of huge nba guys play basketball just becuase they're born into the role and do it becuase its all could do.

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2009, 10:42:36 PM »

Offline Redz

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I prefer the could olympic sprinters make credible pinch runners or punt returners. I know it's a different science, but come on, who would catch Donovan Bailey back in the day? Michael Johnson sure couldn't. Loser. That's aside, Big Show in the lane, holla! How about Big Show the hockey the hockey goalie? Always wondered that one as well. Aside from pad restrictions, wee bit of an issue.

Yeh, I've always like the idea of putting a Jabba the Hutt sort in net.  Just let him get pelted.
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Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2009, 10:54:42 PM »

Offline Kuberski33

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I'm pretty sure Big Show played college basketball. 

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2009, 11:14:41 PM »

Offline yall hate

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I dont think so.  I dont think they are athletic enough...I dont mean to say they arent athletes, but I dont think they would have the footwork necessary.  not to mention awareness and rotating on defense etc...

I think it's fun to mock some of the 'horrible' basketball players that have made it over the years, but in reality there skills are still pretty amazing.  just think of how many 'big guys' that have played over the years havent made it...

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2009, 11:17:12 PM »

Online Chief

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Kevin Nash played for the University of TN back in the 80's. He was ok but not NBA talent.




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Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #9 on: April 24, 2009, 11:17:52 PM »

Offline bdm860

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Ok here is what I found through various internet searches. Some guys actually did play basketball with varying degrees of success:

Kevin Nash – of the guys I researched he seems like the best player.  Played for Tennessee in 79 and 80 going to the Sweet Sixteen.  Tried to transfer to Bowling Green, but ended up playing for various teams in Europe until he tore is ACL.  I couldn’t find any stats (if anyone knows a good place to look up old college stats let me know) but I did find a pic (although not the greatest)

The Big Show (Paul Wight) – In High School during his junior and senior years, Wight averaged 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 11 blocks a game. He scored 50 points or more in seven games during his senior year was a two-time all conference player.  Despite being heavily recruited by the University of South Carolina, he headed to Northern Oklahoma Junior College to mature, get his grades in order, and play against some stronger competition. That season, Wight averaged 14 points and 6.5 rebounds a game and earned an all-conference selection. He played there for one year before transferring to Wichita State University (1991), where according to then-coach Mike Cohen, "Paul displayed good hands, good passing ability and a nice shooting touch." Wight averaged 2.0 points and 2.3 rebounds per game for the Shockers.  Transferred due to a coaching change to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville (Division III) but before he played he sustained what was thought to be an injury to his left knee during a pickup basketball game. Instead, he had a condition called sciatica, which are irritations to large nerves that start at the lower spine and travel through the legs. That prevented him from playing basketball, and the school informed him that it would cancel his scholarship if he could no longer play. His dreams of NBA stardom were over, and so was his chance at an education.

The Undertaker (Mark Calaway), really 6’8” played JUCO ball at Angelina College (Texas) and was planning on playing professionally in Europe but suffered a career ending knee injury.

Kane (Glen Jacobs), played basketball at Quincy University (Illinois, Division II), before joining Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State, also Division II). In the 1988–1989 season, he was an NCAA all-star; he is still listed in the Truman State University media guide as holding the record for highest field goal percentage for a single season (.621 in both the 1987–88 and 1988–89 seasons) and is the career leader in field goal percentage (.567). Jacobs also led the 1988–89 team in several categories, including blocked shots (1.0 per game) and rebounds per game (6.9 per game). Despite his success, Jacobs opted to switch to playing on the college football team, where he earned all-conference honors as an offensive lineman.

The Coach Jonathon Coachman, only 6’3” (at least that’s what he’s billed at), but played at McPherson College (Kansas, NAIA).
« Last Edit: April 24, 2009, 11:28:10 PM by bdm860 »

After 18 months with their Bigs, the Littles were: 46% less likely to use illegal drugs, 27% less likely to use alcohol, 52% less likely to skip school, 37% less likely to skip a class

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #10 on: April 24, 2009, 11:30:46 PM »

Offline yall hate

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I prefer the could olympic sprinters make credible pinch runners or punt returners. I know it's a different science, but come on, who would catch Donovan Bailey back in the day? Michael Johnson sure couldn't. Loser. That's aside, Big Show in the lane, holla! How about Big Show the hockey the hockey goalie? Always wondered that one as well. Aside from pad restrictions, wee bit of an issue.

but would they be able to slide?  and how about their 'jump'?  would pitchers just pick them off all day?   

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2009, 12:19:05 AM »

Offline ToppersBsktball10

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Hey, Matt Harpring plays. He should count.

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2009, 12:19:36 AM »

Online angryguy77

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Back to wanting Joe fired.

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2009, 06:06:44 PM »

Offline Eja117

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I think the Rock had a Miami football scholarship. He might have been athletic enough to be a powerforward, but he didn't play pro football, so maybe not. Tony Gonzalez couldn't do it

Re: Do you think wrestlers could make NBA teams?
« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2009, 06:12:33 PM »

Offline fairweatherfan

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Andre the Giant would've been the greatest hockey goalie of all time, but I just don't see it for basketball.  Most wrestlers aren't tall enough to play anything but backcourt, and the ones that are are generally too massive to sprint up and down a court every night.  Not to mention the elephant in the room: passing the drug test.