If '50s Russell time travelled today, would he be a top pick?

[CavaliersFTW]

50s Russell DID time travel to today. His name is Joakim Noah.

Yeah except he lost all of his athleticism and BBall IQ in the time travel process.

[Lebronxrings]

poor mans deandre jordan.

[fpliii]

Yeah except he lost all of his athleticism and BBall IQ in the time travel process.

[20Four]

Lets say 1950's Bill Russell time travelled to the present day and decided to play college ball. Would he be a top pick in the draft? Or would he be selling hotdogs in the stands?

Keep flippin burgers dubeta, I didn't know Mcdonalds lets their employees use their phones while on the job

[smoovegittar]

Can't stand all this "revisionist hystery". That was 50 years ago. The game has evolved too much to make a call on this.

[NumberSix]

Can't stand all this "revisionist hystery". That was 50 years ago. The game has evolved too much to make a call on this.

Take the word of people who have seen 28 total minutes of Bill Russell footage. He's better than modern players.

[SHAQisGOAT]

Take the word of people who have seen 28 total minutes of Bill Russell footage. He's better than modern players.

Nah, he should take the word of some kids who know little to nothing about basketball and its history (while thinking they know it all)...

[LAZERUSS]

Can't stand all this "revisionist hystery". That was 50 years ago. The game has evolved too much to make a call on this.

Yep...we have enough footage from the 60's...

"Back in the day" the NBA played their games outdoors, and often in the snow and chilling wind. They used smudged chalk marks to designate the court dimensions, and peach baskets that were often dramatically bent. The balls were lopsided beach balls that didn't even fit in the peach baskets. The good ball-handlers, those that could dribble at all, dribbled the ball high and with both hands. Passes were always hand-offs. And rebounds were fought for on the ground. The players were all white, uncoordinated, no taller than 5-6, wore thick glasses, and were abused by fifth grade bullies (some of them girls.)

Of course, in TODAY's NBA, you would NEVER see a 6-2 37 year old WHITE guy, and only playing 33 mpg, leading the NBA in assists. Or a 6-11 WHITE injury-prone stumblebum lead the NBA in bpg. Or a 6-8 WHITE guy with average athleticism running away with rpg titles. And how laughable would it be if a 6-4 WHITE starting PG was shooting .368 from the field in today's NBA? Nope...that only occured back in the 50's. Players like Mikan and Cousy.

Thank god the game has evolved to what we see today.