Did MJ face more long shooting guards back then compared to today (gifs inside)

[3ba11]

.
6'7"Reggie Lewis

6'7" Dale Ellis (one of the greatest 3-point bombers ever with He-Man physique in the 80's):

6'7" "Thunder" Dan Majerle (one of greatest shooters ever)

* Tons of other 6'7" shooting guards like Clyde Drexler, Reggie Miller, Reggie Theus, Gervin, Willie Anderson, Malik Sealy, Michael Finley, Doug West and more


Pippen vs Reggie Lewis as #1 options in the playoffs

92' LEWIS..... 28/4/4.. 57.0 ts.. 23.8 PER.. 0.177 ws.. 4.1 dbpm.. 2.6 obpm.. 6.8 bpm.. 0.9 vorp
94' PIPPEN.... 23/8/5.. 52.1 ts.. 22.8 PER.. 0.149 ws.. 4.0 dbpm.. 1.6 obpm.. 5.6 bpm.. 0.7 vorp

[HoopsNY]

.
6'7"Reggie Lewis

6'7" Dale Ellis (one of the greatest 3-point bombers ever with He-Man physique in the 80's):

6'7" "Thunder" Dan Majerle (one of greatest shooters ever)

* Tons of other 6'7" shooting guards like Clyde Drexler, Reggie Miller, Reggie Theus, Gervin, Willie Anderson, Malik Sealy, Michael Finley, Doug West and more


Pippen vs Reggie Lewis as #1 options in the playoffs

92' LEWIS..... 28/4/4.. 57.0 ts.. 23.8 PER.. 0.177 ws.. 4.1 dbpm.. 2.6 obpm.. 6.8 bpm.. 0.9 vorp
94' PIPPEN.... 23/8/5.. 52.1 ts.. 22.8 PER.. 0.149 ws.. 4.0 dbpm.. 1.6 obpm.. 5.6 bpm.. 0.7 vorp

Did you really mention Malik Sealy? LOL.

I recall his passing. Sad day for T-Wolves fans and the NBA.

[FKAri]

No. At 6'6'' he was already a big guard for his era. He had little resistance on the perimeter. A lot less than he would have today. But the real resistance he was facing and overcoming were the big guys in the paint. And the fouls he was eating, the defenders were getting their money's worth.

[3ba11]

No. At 6'6'' he was already a big guard for his era. He had little resistance on the perimeter. A lot less than he would have today. But the real resistance he was facing and overcoming were the big guys in the paint. And the fouls he was eating, the defenders were getting their money's worth.

I meant to change the title to "Did MJ face more 6'7" shooting guards in his era than he would face today?"

Who are the 6'7" shooting guards that MJ would face today?

I don't see any, whereas I just named a bunch from the 80's in the OP.
'
Harden, Bane, RJ Barrett, Bogdonovic, Beal, Booker, Ant Edwards - these guys are 6'4" to 6'6" and today's game has more small guy shooters listed as SG's like Kyrie Irving, Maxey, Eric Gordon, and more short specialist shooters than previous eras had

Again, I meant to change the title to 6'7" shooting guards and all the examples in the OP are 6'7" SG's.. fyi league-average height is less today than the 80's and 90's btw by nearly a full inch.. plus spacing and hands-off equals 50

[warriorfan]

Now adays spacing is so valued teams will choose a smaller undersized SG with better shooting over a super athletic 6’7” SG in most occasions

[Xiao Yao You]

Now adays spacing is so valued teams will choose a smaller undersized SG with better shooting over a super athletic 6’7” SG in most occasions

Maybe. 6'7 guys that can guard multiple positions are highly valued. Might be playing the 3 or 4 instead of the 2

[warriorfan]

Maybe. 6'7 guys that can guard multiple positions are highly valued. Might be playing the 3 or 4 instead of the 2

Yes.

You are starting to see a lot of that now it seems. Guys that would usually be playing 4 are playing 5, guys usually playing 3 are playing 4, so on and so forth

[FKAri]

I meant to change the title to "Did MJ face more 6'7" shooting guards in his era than he would face today?"

Who are the 6'7" shooting guards that MJ would face today?

I don't see any, whereas I just named a bunch from the 80's in the OP.
'
Harden, Bane, RJ Barrett, Bogdonovic, Beal, Booker, Ant Edwards - these guys are 6'4" to 6'6" and today's game has more small guy shooters listed as SG's like Kyrie Irving, Maxey, Eric Gordon, and more short specialist shooters than previous eras had

Again, I meant to change the title to 6'7" shooting guards and all the examples in the OP are 6'7" SG's.. fyi league-average height is less today than the 80's and 90's btw by nearly a full inch.. plus spacing and hands-off equals 50

You named Dale Ellis like he's some kind of defensive force lmao. And anyone you're going to name who is tall is going to be built like a toothpick so most definitely not big. The big guys were in the paint. Not on the outside.

[3ba11]

You named Dale Ellis like he's some kind of defensive force lmao. And anyone you're going to name who is tall is going to be built like a toothpick so most definitely not big. The big guys were in the paint. Not on the outside.

if you watch Dale Ellis, you'll see that guys bounce off him when he's in the paint or going to the hole - he was extremely strong and MJ couldn't bully him or easily shoot over him, whereas MJ would bully and see over today's shrimps that aren't even allowed to touch or impede him.

[FKAri]

if you watch Dale Ellis, you'll see that guys bounce off him when he's in the paint or going to the hole - he was extremely strong and MJ couldn't bully him or easily shoot over him, whereas MJ would bully and see over today's shrimps that aren't even allowed to touch or impede him.

Bounce off him because those other guys weighed even less than him.

Speaking of guys being allowed to touch or impede. Look at this physical defense by Ehlo. This is what happens when the big is out of position in any era. Hand check doesn't do jack squat. Although, Ehlo being the defensive savant that he was didn't even employ it. Instead he let a man blow by him at the 12 foot mark. Hey btw wasn't that MJ's primary defender in a playoff series?

[3ba11]

Bounce off him because those other guys weighed even less than him.


Speaking of guys being allowed to touch or impede. Look at this physical defense by Ehlo. This is what happens when the big is out of position in any era. Hand check doesn't do jack squat. Although, Ehlo being the defensive savant that he was didn't even employ it. Instead he let a man blow by him at the 12 foot mark. Hey btw wasn't that MJ's primary defender in a playoff series?

The key is that Lewis acted immediately upon the catch due to the superior instinct developed from growing up in no-spacing basketball - the tighter space and closer defenders doesn't allow guys to stand and hold the ball or start dribbling and play around with it.

Otoh, today's spaced-out, beginner format allows everyone to take their time and take all day deciding what to do because the help defenders are spaced out and so far away.

The quicker instinct and greater mid-range touch developed from the no-spacing eras is seen in international play, where our current players struggle to adjust to the lesser spacing and higher physicality - they lack the mid-range touch and quicker instinct required because Adam Silver instituted a beginner format in the NBA

[Xiao Yao You]

Bounce off him because those other guys weighed even less than him.


Speaking of guys being allowed to touch or impede. Look at this physical defense by Ehlo. This is what happens when the big is out of position in any era. Hand check doesn't do jack squat. Although, Ehlo being the defensive savant that he was didn't even employ it. Instead he let a man blow by him at the 12 foot mark. Hey btw wasn't that MJ's primary defender in a playoff series?

They traded Ron Harper because of Ehlo

[FKAri]

The key is that Lewis acted immediately upon the catch due to the superior instinct developed from growing up in no-spacing basketball - the tighter space and closer defenders doesn't allow guys to stand and hold the ball or start dribbling and play around with it.

Otoh, today's spaced-out, beginner format allows everyone to take their time and take all day deciding what to do because the help defenders are spaced out and so far away.

The quicker instinct and greater mid-range touch developed from the no-spacing eras is seen in international play, where our current players struggle to adjust to the lesser spacing and higher physicality - they lack the mid-range touch and quicker instinct required because Adam Silver instituted a beginner format in the NBA

You're right. When your team can't play offense it's harder to play offense. When your team has 3 guys who can't shoot, drive or isolate vs NCAA level talent, it's harder for the other 2 guys. Now while these 3 guys may be horrific scorers they set better picks, moved without the ball better, understood plays better and did the other little things better than the modern baller.

[90sgoat]

There are hardly any shooting guards left today. Most 6'6'' players today are hybrid wings.

[Hey Yo]

Doug West was listed as 6'6".... more lies by OP as usual.