So I was watching the Spurs-Lakers game and Reggie Miller was talking about how Tim Duncan was in great shape, having one of his best seasons and that he had been back in the pool.
I knew he grew up a swimmer but apparently he was really good until a hurricane destroyed the one pool at his home in the Virgin Islands and so he had to quit around age 13.
I wasn't able to find anything more than that so would be interested in hearing more.
My hypothesis is that the best swimmers are on the basketball court. Explosive power, great strength, aerobic conditioning, monster vertical leaps - but little motivation (would you rather make millions versus what swimming pays..), opportunity (cheaper to build and maintain a court as opposed to a swimming pool) and no mentors or coaches.
If an average NBA athlete decided to swim competitively (had the burning desire) and got national team support and coaching, I think the men's 100 free WR would be some where south of 44 seconds.
Just my 2 pesos.
What about the converse? I (used to) have an above average vertical jump (over 30 inches). But I was lousy at basketball because I had knee problems. My knees were always too close to the ground...:doh:
My hypothesis is that the best swimmers are on the basketball court. Explosive power, great strength, aerobic conditioning, monster vertical leaps - but little motivation (would you rather make millions versus what swimming pays..), opportunity (cheaper to build and maintain a court as opposed to a swimming pool) and no mentors or coaches.
If an average NBA athlete decided to swim competitively (had the burning desire) and got national team support and coaching, I think the men's 100 free WR would be some where south of 44 seconds.
Just my 2 pesos.
What about the converse? I (used to) have an above average vertical jump (over 30 inches). But I was lousy at basketball because I had knee problems. My knees were always too close to the ground...:doh:
