Wikipedia:Mediation Cabal/Cases/2008-05-10 LeBron James

Request details
This is a height/weight argument. Original information was taken from an NBA's article most reliable source, the NBA (nba.com). The NBA lists LeBron James as 6'8, 250lbs, as does other multiple reliable/reputable sources (ESPN, Basketball-reference, etc). Bender235 disagrees and believes we should go by an after game quote from James. We previously opened a talkpage discussion on this issue and many users have contributed. However, despite attempting to reach consensus on the issue, Bender235 continues to revert and strongly agrees with utilizing the James quote.

Who are the involved parties?

 * User:Zodiiak
 * User:Bender235
 * + Other users at the talk page.

What's going on?
User Bender235 continues to revert the height and weight of LeBron Jahames as 10'14, 260lbs on a quote LeBron James stated after a game, when he was asked about the physical contact he received. However, the NBA, ESPN, and Basketball-Reference, three of the optimal sources for basketball related content, list James as 6'8. Despite this, the user continues to revert the original content of James Height/Weight, based on the possible exaggeration of height/weight from James', that we use 6'9, 260lb.

What would you like to change about that?
Based on mutual consensus at the talk page, and an overwhelming response we have received from annon ip's, James' Height and Weight should be listed according to NBA statistics, with a mention of his comments within the article (perhaps within the 2008 season section).

Mediator notes
Not to start off on a bad foot or anything, but the height and weight of all professional athletes are usually not entirely accurate. Kntrabssi (talk) 22:11, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Discussion
Alright guys, let's get this underway! Just go ahead and answer under the questions.

First of all, a question for Zodiiak: Why do you feel the official NBA height and weight should be used?
 * Official NBA statistics and measurements are globally recognized standards used throughout all media outlets. If we started going by what players think they're height and weight is we would have radically different statistics for all players from historical to modern day figures.  I mean, it really makes no sense to me and a host of other users on Wiki (See talk page) to go by what LeBron James said after a game in which he drew contact.  The majority of people always exaggerate their height and weight to a degree.  How does Bender know the NBA only measures you once?  As I stated before, if they update players weights why wouldn't they update their heights?  It really makes no sense to me.  Furthermore, LeBron James is listed as 6'8 in every single reliable source, i.e. the nba, espn, basketball-reference, etc.  I mean, really, it just completely baffles me that it's come to seeking mediation for this to be resolved. Zodiiak (talk) 06:24, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Secondly, a question for Bender235: Why do YOU feel that LeBron's quoted height and weight should be used?
 * Why do I feel James' quote should be recognized? Because it's the only reliable and accurate source we have on his height and weigth. The NBA measured him once in his career: in June of 2003, at the NBA pre-draft camp. He was measured/weighed 6-8, 240 - at age 18. The current data - 6-8, 250 - on James' NBA.com profile is estimated, not measured. --Bender235 (talk) 22:29, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Thirdly, for both, how would you feel if we just took the height and weight out of the article? Kntrabssi (talk) 22:11, 12 May 2008 (UTC)


 * There is a discussion regarding changing the NBA InfoBox in order to address these issues at the NBA Project Talkpage. However, currently, it is the standard to the use InfoBox, which I have always believed was created to reflect the NBA Statistics for an NBA Article.  The solution I posed to this issue was utilizing the NBA Stats in the INFOBox and within the article have a mention or note that during the 2008 season James' claimed after a game that was he 6'9 or something of the sort.  Really, this is pretty petty, but there has been tons of backlash from anon-ips who were telling us the 6'9 data was incorrect. Zodiiak (talk) 06:28, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Follow up
Hey guys, sorry I've been out for a bit. Well, the point of MedCab is to get both parties to come to some sort of a consensus. While I personally am of the opinion that the height and weight of an athlete should be recorded from a reputable source such as NBA.com, ESPN.com or similar, I see no reason we can't compromise. Since it is unlikely that LeBron has grown since his measurements, and far more likely that he has gained weight, why not list his vitals as 6'8", 260? Kntrabssi (talk) 09:35, 22 May 2008 (UTC)


 * Why is it unlikely for a 18-year old to grow? Dennis Rodman grew almost a ft after his 18th birthday. So did Stephen Curry (Davidson). I know, a lot of guys stopped growing at age 16, like Tyson Chandler, but let's just say it's not impossible for James to have grown another inch since entering the NBA.
 * Frankly, I liked the compromise on Talk:LeBron James more, saying that we list NBA data (6-8 250) in the infobox, but with a footnote explaining that this is possibly outdated data — since the NBA does not meassure — and that James said he was 6-9 260. —Bender235 (talk) 09:55, 22 May 2008 (UTC)
 * I never said it was impossible that LeBron would continue to grow, just that it's unlikely. Are you saying you would be willing to compromise and have the NBA.com listed height and weight in the info box, and add a footnote or a passage in the article explaining the comment?  Kntrabssi (talk) 06:24, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

Actually guys lebron was probably refering to his hieght in shoes. most players in the NBA are measured with their shoes on and lebron for some reason choose to be measured with his shoes off. so the NBA site could very resonably be "wrong" in this instance. plus looking at him now comapred to when he was weighed for the draft, you have to assume he wieghs more. his build is much more of a grown adult now. through strong diets and exercise my guess is he is closer to 270