Korver and Curry vs. Wilt and Russell 1961-62

[sundizz]

This is the scenario.

It's 3 weeks before the 1961-1962 season. The league decides to adopt the three point line (distances it is now). The league has 3 weeks to get adjusted to it.

Curry and Korver get time transported back and get picked up by Celtics. Russell goes to the Philly Warriors (Wilt's team).

Which team comes out on top that year, the Celtics with Curry and Korver, or the Philly Warriors with Wilt and Russell?

[oarabbus]

Is Philly playing Wilt and Russell at the same time?


They were both C's you know.

[DaRkJaWs]

At that time both Wilt and Russell were very adept perimeter defenders, blocking long range shots were their specialty in addition to blocking it inside (although in 1962 Wilt started to stay inside a little more due to him playing 48 mpg and averaging 50 ppg/26 rpg). My guess is that given Wilt is inside, Russell would come outside and bother one or the other with his long arms, and someone else would guard the other one. Red Auerbach loved to play wilt and russell at the same time during all star games, with Wilt playing C and Russell PF (and they actually lost more than they won, ironically enough).

[J Shuttlesworth]

The average age in this thread is about to get significantly higher

[Psileas]

How about Korver and Curry vs. Kareem and Moses Malone 1979-80, same scenario, with Korver and Curry going to the Lakers and Kareem joining Moses?
Just, you know, to see your honesty, op...

[Lebronxrings]

the nba players win. Wilt and russell can't compete with them.

[Cone]

The average age in this thread is about to get significantly higher

[CavaliersFTW]

Is Philly playing Wilt and Russell at the same time?


They were both C's you know.

They played well together in lineups, as many all star games proved. They are like any great player, can become positionless and force you to get rid of labels just being on the floor.

[SHAQisGOAT]

I don't really like all the "time transport" hypotheticals but I'll play along here...

1st of all, if Curry plays like he does nowadays he's getting called for traveling 6/7 times out of 10... So, let's just assume he has adapted.

Secondly, if Russell was not with the Celtics who's playing center for them? Heinsohn and Sanders playing C/PF so Korver gets to start? Because I'm not seeing Kyle getting a spot over Sam Jones (assuming Curry is time-trasnported and, by that, definitely starting over Cousy)...
In any case, Boston's defense, team D synergy and paint-protection decreases BIG TIME. That's always a HUGE setback.

Curry and Korver - two players who are all-time great 3pt-shooters and came up with the 3pt line - in a league not "adapted" to the 3pt line are major weapons, especially Curry because that dude's gonna be MVP candidate, plus Wilt and Bill are both centers and you can't tell how well they would've played on the same team... But size matters in basketball, centers have the "chance" to be more impactful and... shit, I'd take the chance to have Wilt over Curry+Korver, let alone Wilt+Russell.

Boston still has plenty of great layers and, again, Curry+Korver would've been major in this "situation" (dude like Steph is always major, Kyle is always pretty valuable), but looking at Philly in this hypothetical...

Wilt
Russell/Meschery
Arizin
Gola
Rodgers/Attles

Filled with great players to say the least, that team would rape, at least on paper... Russell is capable enough to play not always very-close to the basket, to playmake, handle the rock some, hit some jumpers here and there, he's more than mobile enough to contest on the perimeter and guard 4's; shit, he was doing all of that at C with the Celtics.
That D would've been crazy with Wilt and Bill.
Wilt would've feasted on the inside against the C's (or anyone) and they got shooters to space the floor, even dudes that would've been able to utilize the 3pt line to their/the team's advantage.

So yea, gimme Russell+Chamberlain, even here...

[HomieWeMajor]

Korver and Curry. If the NBA introduced a 3 point line back then Wilt would have just jacked 3's all day just to prove he could shoot them like he did when he statpadded his way to an assist title when critics said he couldn't pass. Wilt would become the first stretch 4 and consistently shoot his teams out of games.

[Ariza4three]

the nba players win. Wilt and russell can't compete with them.