What Is The NBA’s ‘Too Small’ Taunt All About? Origin Explained!

After a protracted injury hiatus, LeBron James’ return to the court thrilled Lakers supporters. The 38-year-old had been out with a foot ailment since February 28 and had missed a total of 13 games before returning to the court on Sunday. The return somehow was very embarrassing as he got trash-talked with the ‘Too Small’!

Nevertheless, Patrick Beverly and the Bulls spoiled James’ return by defeating the Lakers 118-108.

The point guard for Chicago exacted retribution on his previous squad and even made fun of James in the process. After hitting a basket in the fourth quarter, Beverley slapped James with the “too small” celebration, showing no restraint as he revelled in a long-awaited triumph.

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.

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