The Big Men With The Big Plans

The world of professional sports generally features the biggest, best athletes alive competing while they are in their peak physical condition. The NBA is no exception. Professional basketball players are, in fact, in some of the greatest shape in all of professional sports. But, from time to time an NBA player will appear that looks more like an Offensive Lineman. The fact that they can still play, and often times really well, keeps them in the NBA. They’re fun guys that a lot of fans can relate to and enjoy watching. They’re jolly men who make the NBA more fun. Here is the top five “greatest biggest men” of all time.


→ Khalid El-Amin
At a mere 5’10’’ and 200lbs, Khalid El-Amin played only one NBA season for the Chicago Bulls, but he enjoyed what could be called a rather heavy college career. In his three seasons at UConn, El-Amin led the Huskies at the point. He had career averages of 15.3 points-per-game as well as 4.4 assist-per-game. He also was a large piece of the puzzle in the Huskies 99’ NCAA title run. Sadly, El-Amin only found his way through one NBA campaign playing only 50 games for the Bulls in 2001. Rumor has it that he is still playing large in Europe.

→ Robert “Tractor” Traylor
He’s big, he’s bad and he just failed his physical with the Nets. If Shareef Abdur-Rahim, a man who has hardly missed any games during his career, can’t pass one of Rod Thorn’s grueling physicals, how could anyone expect that of Tractor? Traylor was the 6th pick of the 99’ NBA Draft and has been making his mark on the league ever since. With career averages of 4.8ppg and 3.7prg you wouldn’t think you’re getting much bang for your buck. But you are, Tractor just can’t physically handle the strain of staying on the game for more than a few minutes at a time. Over 40 minutes Tractor puts up a whopping 13.4ppg and 10.5rpg. Those are Charles Oakley type numbers. Those numbers, and similar college numbers, are why he went 6th in the draft. Tractor won’t be able to help you much, but when he can, he’s an extremely potent offensive weapon and a very good rebounder. Let’s hope Thorn can figure out a way for the Nets to get around the physical because they could really use his inside presence, even if it is for only 14 minutes a game.

→ Oliver Miller
If Oscar Robertson was the “Big O,” then Oliver Miller could be called the “Massive O.” Listed generously at 6’9’’, but actually closer to 6’7’’, Miller weighed in frequently above 300lbs. In his prime he was only 280 lbs, making him the second heaviest man on the list. Unlike Traylor, Miller has not always been forced to spend time on the bench because of his lack of endurance. In 96, with the Raptors, Miller played 76 games posting averages of 33.1mpg, 12.9ppg, and 7.4rpg. While these are not overwhelming numbers, it is clear that Miller was capable of making an impact in the league. After enjoying an illustrious career as mostly a role player for good teams, Miller retired. He came back though in 2004 to play in 48 games for the Timberwolves, giving another generation of NBA fans the chance to ask the question, “how does a guy that big move that gracefully?”

And now for the heavyweights…

→ Charles Barkley
A case can be made, and a rather strong one, that Barkley is the greatest power forward of all time. He was a nearly unstoppable offensive, and defensive machine. Barkley was more like a truck than an NBA player, often plowing his way to the basket through rows of taller men. At only 6’5’’ and 260lbs, Sir Charles packed more “game-per-square-inch” than any player ever. The fact that he never won a championship in no way diminishes his career. He was one of the best of his time and all time and won an Olympic gold medal. In a world of men who towered over him, “The Round Mound of Rebound,” was able to, using his superior size, power his way wherever he wanted. He truly was a force to behold.

→ Shaquille O’Neal
A man who needs no introduction, Shaq changed the way the game was played. He wasn’t just big, he was huge, weighing in at between 315-350lbs and standing at 7’1’’. Shaq has been in the league for 13 years and still can do what he wants. Although he’s been a lessened behemoth lately due to injuries, Shaq still has a lot of life left in him. Now he has the right team, in the Heat, and seems to be motivated to keep the weight off. Look for Shaq to walk away from the game with another championship or two and when he does you can bet coaches will be saying, “I still have no idea how to stop that.”

Although the game seems to be getting more athletic, there is still hope for the future of the “big man.” If you want to know where the next one is coming from, just ask Larry Brown. The Knicks have been hiding Michael Sweetney as best as they can, but look for him to have a huge season. He’s slated as the up and coming starter at 4 and should be more than able to fill the hole in the middle. It’s a big torch to carry, but Sweetney should be able to carry on in the tradition of the NBA’s “greatest, biggest men.”