What is Eric Bledsoe‘s Wingspan and Why Does It Matter?
Hey there basketball fan! Today I want to take an in-depth look at Eric Bledsoe‘s wingspan and why it gives him such an edge on the court. Grab a snack and let‘s get into it!
Quick Facts on Eric Bledsoe
First, here are some quick facts for those who may not be familiar with Eric Bledsoe:
- Height: 6‘1"
- Weight: 205 pounds
- Position: Point Guard
- Drafted: 18th overall in 2010 by Oklahoma City Thunder
- NBA Teams: Los Angeles Clippers (2010-2013), Phoenix Suns (2013-2018), Milwaukee Bucks (2018-2021), Los Angeles Clippers (2021-present)
Now that we‘ve got the basics down, let‘s look at the most crucial measurement for Bledsoe: his incredible wingspan.
Understanding Wingspan and Its Impact
In basketball terms, “wingspan” refers to the length between the tip of a player‘s left hand to the tip of their right hand when they stretch their arms out parallel to the ground. This reach has a major influence on the game:
- Grabbing rebounds
- Disrupting passing lanes
- Contesting and blocking shots
- Finishing shots at the rim
For guards like Bledsoe who are smaller in stature, a longer wingspan can help compensate and give them a needed edge on both ends of the court.
Let‘s look at some examples of why wingspan matters:
- Rajon Rondo – 6‘9" wingspan key to being an elite rebounding/steals guard
- Anthony Davis – 7‘6" wingspan helps him swat shots as a big
- Kawhi Leonard – 7‘3" wingspan good for steals, blocks, scoring as a forward
So what does Bledsoe clock in at? Let‘s take a look…
Eric Bledsoe‘s Wingspan Measurements
Eric Bledsoe has a massive 6 foot 7 inch wingspan – a full 6 inches more than his listed height of 6‘1"!
To put into perspective how rare this is:
- Average human wingspan equals height
- Average NBA wingspan: 6‘10"
- Average NBA guard wingspan: Around 6‘5"
So at 6‘7", Bledsoe‘s reach is in elite territory even by NBA standards. He uses every inch of that wingspan to maximize his talents on the court.
Let‘s see exactly how Bledsoe‘s wingspan compares to some of the NBA‘s top guards:
| Player | Height | Wingspan |
|---|---|---|
| Eric Bledsoe | 6‘1" | 6‘7" |
| Chris Paul | 6‘1" | 6‘4" |
| Kyrie Irving | 6‘3" | 6‘5" |
| Damian Lillard | 6‘2" | 6‘8" |
| Russell Westbrook | 6‘3" | 6‘7" |
As you can see, Bledsoe has one of the longest wingspans of any point guard in the NBA today. Very few can match his measurements in this category, which gives him a distinct physical advantage.
But don‘t just take my word for it. LA Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue praised Bledsoe‘s rare wingspan, saying:
“His wingspan, his reach — he plays so much bigger than a guy who’s 6-1… He’s just great at rebounding and that’s just off his toughness and his wingspan.”
Now let‘s break down exactly how Bledsoe puts that massive wingspan to work on the court.
How Bledsoe‘s Wingspan Impacts Defense
On the defensive end, Bledsoe‘s long arms allow him to play extremely disruptive perimeter defense:
- 1.4 steals per game over his career – his quick hands and reach create havoc
- Made NBA All-Defensive 1st Team in 2018-2019
- Regularly picks opponent‘s pockets and deflects passes
Bledsoe can also smother opposing guards with his 6‘7" wingspan. Players have a very tough time shooting cleanly over his outstretched arms. He has the reach to contest shots that shorter guards could only dream of getting to.
Quotes on Bledsoe‘s Defense:
Coach Monty Williams:
“Eric can defend at a high level because of his strength and his wingspan.”
Coach Mike Budenholzer:
“He’s got a special way about him defensively with his length and size and competitiveness. He can guard a lot of different people and do a lot of different things.”
The numbers and expert opinions back it up – Bledsoe‘s rare wingspan is a defensive weapon. Next let‘s see how it powers his offense.
How Bledsoe‘s Wingspan Helps His Offense
On offense, Bledsoe‘s able to fully extend with his 6‘7" wingspan to finish strong at the rim:
- 70.2% shooting within 3 feet of basket
- Uses length to convert tough layups over bigs
- Can stretch further for rebounds on the offensive glass
He also has a quick release on his jumper that‘s difficult to block or contest thanks to those long arms.
Bledsoe puts it best himself when discussing the benefits of his wingspan:
“It helps me get to the basket much easier. I can do a lot of things other guys can’t because of my wingspan. It helps me drastically on the defensive end with steals, blocks and disrupting guys.”
His rare physical gifts unlock aspects of his game that few guards can replicate.
Final Thoughts on Eric Bledsoe‘s Wingspan
Hope you enjoyed learning more about Eric Bledsoe‘s incredible 6‘7" wingspan and all the ways it impacts his dominance on the court!
To quickly recap:
- His wingspan is 6 inches more than his height of 6‘1"
- Provides major advantages in defense, steals, shot contests
- Allows him to excel finishing at the rim on offense
- Among the longest wingspans for an NBA guard
- Helps explain his success and elite playmaking
So next time you watch Bledsoe lock down an opponent on defense or drive the lane to posterize a defender, remember – his insane wingspan deserves much of the credit!
Let me know if you have any other NBA player attributes you want me to break down in detail. This was fun!