NBA’s Most Disrespectful Sign: ‘Too Small’ Explained

No doubt NBA is a game of strategy and talent which definitely requires a ton of hard work, but this game gives advantages to the ones with blessed heights. In the NBA, where players are typically 6 feet 7 inches tall, a lot of strategies are based on size advantages—or drawbacks, depending on how you look at it.

NBA clubs are sure to try to take advantage of these size-related imbalances on any given night. The remark “too small” is one of the most disrespectful forms of trash talk, and it often results from size-related mismatches.

‘Too Small’ Taunt In NBA: Origin Story

The taunt itself is rather simple to understand. To let everyone in the arena and everyone watching on television know that their opponent doesn’t measure up, a player who scores on a defence they believe is too little to stop them lowers a hand to the ground.
Ja Morant is reportedly 6-foot-2, whereas Ose Alvarado is credited with a robust 6-foot height. The fact that neither Alvarado nor Morant tower over their rivals proves conclusively that the taunt itself is not solely about stature.

6-foot-1 Even though Trae Young is not particularly tall compared to Jevon Carter (6 feet 1 inch), Young frequently uses the “too small” taunt.

Considering everything, the taunt’s intended meaning could be best translated as “He can’t guard me; try someone bigger.”

The list of players who have used the “too little” slur includes a who’s who of NBA luminaries, though it’s unclear who exactly did it first. Back in January 2018, while still playing for the Thunder, Russell Westbrook made a variation of the taunt after completing a pass through Malik Monk’s contact.

The best thing about this taunt is that it allows for plenty of personal interpretation on each player’s part. Players under the height of six feet five often bring it out, and it’s especially funny when they do it in spite of their physical disadvantage.

 

FOR MORE NBA UPDATES

Youngest & Oldest Coaches In NBA: From Joe Mazzulla, Will Hardy To Gregg Popovich

What Are NBA Overtime Rules? Explained