I was in our local golf course clubhouse this morning getting everything ready for a 2 man scramble event and a group of golfers were discussing last night's Jordan-Brand All Star game. Most of the group were in their 20s and 30s in age. I commented how Malik Monk's quick off the floor leaping ability reminded me of "Doctor Dunkenstein", Darrell Griffith. So they all look at me and say, "Who's Darrell Griffith?"

 

I told them he was a great player for Male High, winning two state titles, led Louisville to an NCAA championship, and was a great player in the NBA. Explained he was 6'4 and had a verticle of well over 40 inches and could get up as if he had rockets on his shoes. He was a dunking machine but also had a nice jumper that was tough to defend.

 

So I get this big laugh from these young whipper snappers and a bunch of comments like, "He couldn't play in today's NBA." They also said that Magic and Bird would be average players in today's NBA.

 

I told them they they were full of crap and needed to do a little research on former players, that people didn't start playing basketball just 20 years ago. There were great players before Lebron and Steph made the scene.

 

Just wondering if their opinions were a common thing among the younger generation? They evidently don't have any clue about the great players of the past.

IMO...Griff, Magic and Bird would still be great playing today. There were great players back to the 60's that could play today.

There is no doubt they could play today in the NBA. They would be using today's training techniques and nutrition guidelines more than likely. Many for get about that.

Kids are right, they would all be average players in today's NBA.

 

They're in their upper fifties.

Kids are right, they would all be average players in today's NBA.

 

They're in their upper fifties.

Exactly! Wilt couldn't play in today's NBA......he's Dead!

Most youngsters think the NBA didn't exist until Jordan.

Darrell Griffith's game transcends to any era.

 

He was a great basketball talent.

Darrell Griffith's game transcends to any era.

 

He was a great basketball talent.

 

Agree. He was an amazing athlete

The story is that Griff worked very hard on his ball handling between his junior and senior seasons. It paid off in the spring of '80.

 

Thanks for the video.

I was surprised what you said so I asked some 20/30 something's if they knew who Darrel Griffith was and like you said, they were clueless and these were life long UofL fans too.

 

That just seems weird. Growing up, I heard quite a bit about Clif Hagan, Wah Wah Jones, Alex Groza, Ralph Beard, Cotton Nash, etc.. It just seems guys like Griff and Unseld would be players all UofL fans would know about. Similar how I would think all UC fans would know who Oscar is.

The story is that Griff worked very hard on his ball handling between his junior and senior seasons. It paid off in the spring of '80.

 

High school or college junior and senior seasons?

Kids are right, they would all be average players in today's NBA.

 

They're in their upper fifties.

 

Reminds me of that old Ty Cobb quote. He supposedly said to a reporter that he'd only hit .310 in today's game. When asked why, he said that it was because he was 72 years old.

Reminds me of that old Ty Cobb quote. He supposedly said to a reporter that he'd only hit .310 in today's game. When asked why, he said that it was because he was 72 years old.

I've got to remember that line. Lol. I'll use it the next time those young basketball experts tell me Magic and others would be average in today's league.

 

I agree that today's training and methods are better than in yesteryear. But if Oscar, Magic, Griffith, Dr J, etc, we're in their playing days form and had the same training that players today get they would still be All Stars today in the league just like they were in their day.