Best Basketball Players Over 6-6

SI Staff | Oct 24, 2007

Best Basketball Players Over 6-6

6-6: Michael Jordan

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The arguments start with the heights themselves: Was Bill Russell 6-9 or 6-10? Did Bill Walton insist he was 6-11 because he didn't want to be regarded as a 7-foot freak? And how many short guys tacked on an extra inch? SI consulted the best sources and rounded fractions to the nearest inch, then made the tough calls on the superior player at each height. Here are the best at 6-6 and higher. Follow the link on the last frame to see those under 6-6.<br><br>Runner-ups: Kobe Bryant, Charles Barkley, Harry Gallatin.

6-7: Julius Erving

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Runner-ups: George Gervin, Rick Barry, Scottie Pippen.

6-8: Jerry Lucas

John D. Hanlon/SI

Runner-ups: Connie Hawkins, Neil Johnston, Dolph Schayes.

6-9: Magic Johnson

Manny Millan/SI

Runner-ups: Larry Bird, Karl Malone, Elvin Hayes.

6-10: Bill Russell

AP

Runner-ups: Moses Malone, George Mikan, Walt Bellamy.

6-11: Bill Walton

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Runner-ups: Kevin Garnett, Bob Lanier, Nate Thurmond.

7-0: Hakeem Olajuwon

Manny Millan/SI

Runner-ups: Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, Patrick Ewing.

7-1: Wilt Chamberlain

Walter Iooss Jr./SI

Runner-ups: Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson, Vlade Divac

7-2: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

Manny Millan/SI

Runner-ups: Artis Gilmore, Dikembe Mutombo, Tom Burleson.

7-3: Zydrunas Ilgauskas

David E. Klutho/SI

Runner-ups: Arvydas Sabonis, Randy Breuer, Keith Closs Jr.

7-4: Ralph Sampson

Otto Greule Jr./Getty Images

Runner-ups: Rik Smiths, Mark Eaton.

7-5: Yao Ming

Greg Nelson/SI

Runner-up: No alternative.

7-6: Shawn Bradley

Al Tielemans/SI

Runner-up: No alternative.

7-7: Manute Bol

Manny Millan/SI

Runner-up: Gheorghe Muresan