Dime Dropper
All-Star
I disagree with your last paragraph. I think "softness" is very much a preference. Look at Tayshaun Prince. He's skinny as hell but he's a tough, long defender. No one ever calls him "soft". Hawes on the other hand was quoted saying that he didn't see himself as a guy who'd bang around inside and do all the dirty work. Getting outmuscled is one thing, but this "soft" label is most often used when talking about guys who very much have the physical and athletic skills/size to be aggressive and physical, but instead choose to shy away from contact. How many times has Pau Gasol been called soft, only to come back for a few games playing very aggressively and being more physical? If you're weak you're weak - and people will call you out for being weak, and say you need to put on mass etc. Being soft is a completely different thing.
Agreed.