46) Size Doesn't Matter

Why am I writing about this? I stand tall at only 5'5. I have always been known as one of the shortest guys almost everywhere.

As you can see on the photo shown below, I was representing my favorite NBA basketball team, Golden State Warriors. (Whenever a 3-pointer was made, they celebrate it like this.) I do not care about being short anymore. Obviously, this photo indicates that "size doesn't matter."

​FYI, I do not know that big guy right next to me. Photo was taken at Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy. This happened on June 1, 2016.​

Here is another guy I do not know. Photo shown below. Like the other guy on the above photo, he is also wearing a plain blue shirt. Photo was taken at Amsterdam in front of Rijksmuseum. I was sitting on the I Amsterdam Letters. This happened on June 4, 2016.

When I was a kid, I hated being short. Why, so?

​I was always the shortest kid in class. (Well, I was a shy, quiet kid with a very low-self esteem.) I was always the shortest guy on the basketball court. All of my girl crushes were taller than me. I hated people picking on me.

When did I accept being short? I slowly started accepting it after I graduated from high school. I finally realized being short is not horrible after all. List shown below explains it.

Advantages of being short:

• Speed and quickness in basketball and tennis
• ​Shopping kids' size XL clothes. (Save more money)
• Looking younger forever. (Always being carded)
• More legroom on planes, trains, buses, cars, and anywhere
• No problem in walking through crowds
• No need to crouch down in walking through doorways
• My entire body can fit anywhere, like any size of bed or sofa. (No need to curl my legs and arms)
• Able to fully tuck myself in any blanket
• First and foremost, most people underestimate my size. (My motivation of proving them wrong)
• Having a low center of gravity. (Less likely to fall off)
• I challenge you in a game of limbo. (I will easily win)
• Studies say that shorter people live longer lives. (Not really sure if this is scientifically true)
• Enjoying the low shower heads in hotel rooms

What has made me believe that "Size doesn't matter?"

Remember that myth story of David and Goliath.

Watching short basketball players succeed in the NBA, such as Isaiah Thomas at 5'9. He currently plays for the Boston Celtics. (Obviously, the NBA is usually a tall man sport.)

​Isaiah has improved every year to this day. Importantly, he was selected as the last pick (60th pick) in the 2011 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings. He is a rising superstar now.

Photo shown below of Isaiah Thomas hitting a free throw on October 23, 2013. At this time, he played for the Sacramento Kings.

A recent video of him shown below.

A few short NBA players have already changed the game before Isaiah Thomas. When I was growing up, I watched Allen Iverson at 6'0, TJ Ford at 6'0, Muggsy Bogues at 5'3, and Earl Boykins at 5'5. (Isaiah Thomas idolized Allen Iverson. No wonder, he almost plays like Allen.)

​I admired them on how they were mentally tough from day one until they retired. They had the killer instinct. (I envied them.)

Yes, Kobe Bryant was my favorite NBA player growing up. Honestly, these short NBA players, who I grew up watching, have made me continually play and enjoy the game of basketball because of their size.

​I own each of their youth-sized swingman NBA jerseys, except Muggsy Bogues. (Hard to find. Out of the short players who I have mentioned, Muggsy was the first one to retire. I mostly saw his game highlights of his career.)

​Here are each of their NBA career highlight videos shown below.

Also, I forgot to mention Nate Robinson at 5'9. I enjoyed watching him play. A video of his NBA career highlights shown below.

As I grow older, my legs will eventually break down on me, then I will retire from playing the sport. When that happens, I will still be grateful for my size. (Respect God's creation.) My parents are both 5'2 tall. (I should not be complaining. Who knows? Once I do ever have kids, they might end up being 5'8, then.)

​Again, size doesn't matter.