NBA superstar Kevin Durant hasn’t been 100 percent honest regarding his height.
In an interview with the Wall Street Journal for its article, “Why NBA Players Lie About Their Height,” Durant revealed he is a few inches taller than his NBA profile indicates.
“I’m 6‘11,” revealed Durant as he recapped his block shot on Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul. Durant is listed as 6’9.
The small forward’s reason behind his lie is due to positions on the basketball court.
“But really, I’ve always thought it was cool to say I’m a 6-9 small forward,” he said. “Really, that’s the prototypical size for a small forward. Anything taller than that, and they‘ll start saying, ’Ah, he’s a power forward.' ”
He added: “For me, when I’m talking to women, I’m 7 feet,” he said. “In basketball circles, I’m 6-9.”
The 27-year-old isn’t the only star whose height has been slightly altered by the NBA.
Retired NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson was listed as 6 feet tall, though his real height was actually 5'11. Dallas Mavericks JJ Barea is also listed as 6 feet tall, but says his real height is 5'10".
“I remember laughing when they said, ‘6 feet,’ because me and about 20,000 other people in the arena knew that was a lie,” Barea said to the WSJ. “I’m 5-foot-10 on a good day.”
The reason slight differentials in height all comes down to “the NBA doesn’t require players to use their ‘in shoes’ measurements.”
Golden States Warriors coach Steve Kerr doesn’t have an explanation for the variations in height stated, “I don’t know—I guess it just sounds better on the program.”
Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder are currently battling the San Antonio Spurs in the semifinal rounds of this year’s playoffs. The series is currently tied at 1-1 and the next game is scheduled for Sunday, May 8 at the Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, Okla.
The broadcast will air on ABC at 8 p.m.
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