I'm guessing that you are of the opinion that none of the greats from the 80's could play today at the same level.

Bird?

Magic?

Isiah Thomas?

Moses Malone?

Barkley?

 

I must be right in the sweet spot of age in that I'm old enough to remember all of these players very well, but I'm young enough to realize that they wouldn't be the same player today that they were then. Can I prove it? Nope. Do I believe it wholeheartedly? Yep.

 

So, to answer your question(s) in MY OPINION:

Bird: not NEAR the player today he was then. Just not.

Magic: would be an impact player today, not an MVP candidate.

Isiah: would be a great PG in today's game.

Moses: bad fit in today's game, along with a myriad of other traditional 5's.

Barkley: would be an impact player today, not an MVP candidate, and would really struggle to guard perimeter 4's.

If Bill Russell was playing today instead of back in the day, nobody, and I mean nobody could contain him. That's my two pennies worth.

 

...and I think if Bill Russell were playing today he'd be on par with Joakim Noah. However, lucky for Bill, he isn't playing today and in his playing career he was DOMINANT!

In comparing players from different eras, I think one needs to recognize how much the rules on dribbling have changed. In the time of Bob Cousy, for instance, the dribbler was only allowed to have his hand on top of the ball, not on the side or even underneath (as some players are allowed to do). Behind-the-back dribbles and some cross-overs would have been called palming. Dribblers in the old days were not allowed to control the ball as much as is allowed in modern times. They basically patted it on top. The jump stop and the Euro step would blow the minds of the 50's and 60's referees. If the old time players had been allowed to use these modern techniques, their game might be held in higher regard by our younger posters.

I must be right in the sweet spot of age in that I'm old enough to remember all of these players very well, but I'm young enough to realize that they wouldn't be the same player today that they were then. Can I prove it? Nope. Do I believe it wholeheartedly? Yep.

 

So, to answer your question(s) in MY OPINION:

Bird: not NEAR the player today he was then. Just not.

Magic: would be an impact player today, not an MVP candidate.

Isiah: would be a great PG in today's game.

Moses: bad fit in today's game, along with a myriad of other traditional 5's.

Barkley: would be an impact player today, not an MVP candidate, and would really struggle to guard perimeter 4's.

 

I disagree, but I also can't prove it.

 

But ask who do some of these stars games most compare today?

 

Bird compares to Durrant IMO...but he would be a better rebounder and passer than Durrant

 

Magic compares to (I know I'll get crushed for this) Lebron...Magic had a better team around him so he wasn't forced to carry the team but out side of marginally better 3 point shooting, where else does Lebron really stand out against Magic?

 

Moses compares to...well no one really. No current 5 can score or offensive rebound like he did. Closest comparison may be to Boogie (who is doing quite well in this era) but Malone would eat him alive.

I have seen players since the mid 60's I can remember. One sure thing 3 could play in any era.

 

The "Big O", Michael, and LeBron,

 

 

Others that have been mentioned with the training and nutrition plus the "right kind of supplements" would put them at even par.

I disagree, but I also can't prove it.

 

But ask who do some of these stars games most compare today?

 

Bird compares to Durrant IMO...but he would be a better rebounder and passer than Durrant

 

Magic compares to (I know I'll get crushed for this) Lebron...Magic had a better team around him so he wasn't forced to carry the team but out side of marginally better 3 point shooting, where else does Lebron really stand out against Magic?

 

Moses compares to...well no one really. No current 5 can score or offensive rebound like he did. Closest comparison may be to Boogie (who is doing quite well in this era) but Malone would eat him alive.

 

I think Bird compares closer to Dirk than KD. KD is a lot quicker. Even with today's training I think Bird levels out closer to Dirk athletically than KD. Nothing wrong with that. Both are still future hall of famers.

 

With that being said, I think any star or hall of famers from the 70's on could pretty much do well in this era with the same strength training and conditioning and supplements. If Draymond Green can star in today's league, Barkley surely could. Lebron is probably the most gifted athlete anyone has ever seen not named Bo Jackson, so that's a tough comparison for Magic. I understand because of the versatility though. I think Magic would be great though. Haven't seen a 6'9" PG outside of Lebron besides Magic.

 

I think the Joakim Noah to Bill Russell comparison is fair, just because of their skill sets and size. Now guys are bigger all around. I think Kareem would be Kareem, and Wilt would be Wilt.

To further muddle any comparisons using Magic, the 6-9 PG, it could also be argued that he was a top-5 center. The times he played the post it looked like he was born there.

 

Imagine if Bird had the benefit of today's training and medical technology, given his competitive drive and hard-working nature. Guy played 10 full seasons of amazing basketball, and parts of three others because of injuries. Say he stays healthy(healthier) and cranks out 3-4 more good seasons at 2000pts/800rebs/450asts?

 

When looking at guys historically, it's important to look at their top peak seasons, and how long they sustained that. Saying a guy is nothing special because he "only" averaged 18pts and 8rebs over his career is disingenuous when those averages were dropped significantly because of a handful of injury-plagued years pulling down all that was accomplished during 6 or 7 All-NBA seasons.

To further muddle any comparisons using Magic, the 6-9 PG, it could also be argued that he was a top-5 center. The times he played the post it looked like he was born there.

 

Imagine if Bird had the benefit of today's training and medical technology, given his competitive drive and hard-working nature. Guy played 10 full seasons of amazing basketball, and parts of three others because of injuries. Say he stays healthy(healthier) and cranks out 3-4 more good seasons at 2000pts/800rebs/450asts?

 

When looking at guys historically, it's important to look at their top peak seasons, and how long they sustained that. Saying a guy is nothing special because he "only" averaged 18pts and 8rebs over his career is disingenuous when those averages were dropped significantly because of a handful of injury-plagued years pulling down all that was accomplished during 6 or 7 All-NBA seasons.

 

Great post.

I have seen players since the mid 60's I can remember. One sure thing 3 could play in any era.

 

The "Big O", Michael, and LeBron,

 

 

Others that have been mentioned with the training and nutrition plus the "right kind of supplements" would put them at even par.

I think Kareem could have played in any era, too.

To further muddle any comparisons using Magic' date=' the 6-9 PG, it could also be argued that he was a top-5 center. The times he played the post it looked like he was born there. Imagine if Bird had the benefit of today's training and medical technology, given his competitive drive and hard-working nature. Guy played 10 full seasons of amazing basketball, and parts of three others because of injuries. Say he stays healthy(healthier) and cranks out 3-4 more good seasons at 2000pts/800rebs/450asts? When looking at guys historically, it's important to look at their top peak seasons, and how long they sustained that. Saying a guy is nothing special because he "only" averaged 18pts and 8rebs over his career is disingenuous when those averages were dropped significantly because of a handful of injury-plagued years pulling down all that was accomplished during 6 or 7 All-NBA seasons.[/quote']

 

In my opinion, an excellent observation

I think Kareem could have played in any era, too.

 

Show me any player then or now who can stop the skyhook. What I can't figure out is why nobody teaches it to young post players nowadays. There's never been a more automatic 2 points.

I must be right in the sweet spot of age in that I'm old enough to remember all of these players very well, but I'm young enough to realize that they wouldn't be the same player today that they were then. Can I prove it? Nope. Do I believe it wholeheartedly? Yep.

 

So, to answer your question(s) in MY OPINION:

Bird: not NEAR the player today he was then. Just not.

Magic: would be an impact player today, not an MVP candidate.

Isiah: would be a great PG in today's game.

Moses: bad fit in today's game, along with a myriad of other traditional 5's.

Barkley: would be an impact player today, not an MVP candidate, and would really struggle to guard perimeter 4's.

 

This... The game has changed so much and guys are bigger, stronger, faster. It's impossible and unfair to compare eras 40 years apart.

This... The game has changed so much and guys are bigger, stronger, faster. It's impossible and unfair to compare eras 40 years apart.

 

It has changed but also the training. If those guys had the training they could play in any era

This... The game has changed so much and guys are bigger, stronger, faster. It's impossible and unfair to compare eras 40 years apart.

 

Jordan came into the league over 30 years ago...are we close to the point of saying that he couldn't compete with today's players?

Show me any player then or now who can stop the skyhook. What I can't figure out is why nobody teaches it to young post players nowadays. There's never been a more automatic 2 points.

You know you have to really give Kareem props for perfecting that shot, as No One has been able to consistently hit it since. I don't think it's from a lack of trying, it's just a hard shot to get a feel for.