Height is a big advantage in basketball, swimming and other sports. Now let me ask you is it easier to meg someone that's 5'10" tall or someone that's 7' tall? Is it easier to be a 6'6" running back in American football or sub 6'? 6'6" offensive lineman or 5'10"? Each sport has its physical requirements to succeed (and sometimes within indvidual positions in sports) generally speaking. In football, other than in goal and in set pieces, size isn't as big of an issue.
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So I'll start this by saying that I watched a ton of basketball from probably the late 80's to the turn of the century so things likely have changed since. Since MJ is brought up so much, can someone tell me how skilled Luc Longley, Bill Wennington, Shawn Bradley and Manute Bol were? Were any of them guys that fit your criteria or just fit big bodies? Guards generally are the most skillful players and they used to run from Mugsy Bogues 5'3"-6'8" or so but most commonly 6'3"-6'6". Point guards used to be common to be in the 5'10"-6'3" range. My point is that in football you have to be able to dribble, pass and shoot with both feet, use your head and every part of your body (outside of the twig and berries) other than your arms and hands to score, trap, volley, etc. In basketball, if you are 6'10" and up you could get away without being a good dribbler, outside shooter and play the full game. What position is the low skill equivalent in football?