At basketball-reference http://www.basketball-reference.com/lea ... stats.html I see that average height has been stuck at 6-7 since 1980. Average weight has crept up almost 25 pounds over 60+ years. Down 1 pound the last 2 years from the high of 219. Wonder if it stabilize here or starting creeping down as outside shooting and / or nimble driving gets emphasized.
Average age peaked at time of the final Bulls title at nearly 28. Declined below 27 but hasn't moved much recently.
(Pace currently at a 20 year high.)
League average size and age
Re: League average size and age
From 1992 to 2000, the average NBA player gained a pound per year.
It had taken 40 years to gain 8 pounds before that, and that was from an avg height of 6-4.
Just 2 lbs. have been gained in the meantime.
During that time -- the Bulls era, the Riley Knicks -- every year I thought it was clear guys had bulked up in the offseason. Formerly lithe forwards became brick outhouses.
I figured they were sacrificing mobility and quickness for durability and toughness. I hope it wasn't steroids.
It had taken 40 years to gain 8 pounds before that, and that was from an avg height of 6-4.
Just 2 lbs. have been gained in the meantime.
During that time -- the Bulls era, the Riley Knicks -- every year I thought it was clear guys had bulked up in the offseason. Formerly lithe forwards became brick outhouses.
I figured they were sacrificing mobility and quickness for durability and toughness. I hope it wasn't steroids.