How is it that every good team from the past would "destroy" the current NBA?

[Artillery]

Rule changes have made superstars out of mediocre players in recent years. Harden is a good example. Not that he isn't talented but he sure as hell isn't averaging 25 ppg in the 90s. Some of the 90s stars would absolutely dominate the current NBA with all these modern rules concerning free throws. Robinson immediately comes to mind.

[cltcfn2924]

Have you considered that stars stood out more easily because the general competition was more scrubbish?


Im not sayin its true but it seems plausible. Basketball is more popular and global than ever. The idea that the talent pool would be less makes little sense.

80's and 90's quite a few teams had the heart and mental toughness to win. What do you have now? How many teams are mentally tough? If there is more talent it is being wasted big time. Let these guys try to compete with Barkley, Malone 1 &2, Shaq, Bird, Magic, Isiah, Dr.J Oakley. It would be embarrassing.

[plowking]

Rule changes have made superstars out of mediocre players in recent years. Harden is a good example. Not that he isn't talented but he sure as hell isn't averaging 25 ppg in the 90s. Some of the 90s stars would absolutely dominate the current NBA with all these modern rules concerning free throws. Robinson immediately comes to mind.

Harden most definitely scores 25ppg in any era. He may be a flopper but he is one of the most physical players in the league in terms of play style. He bullies his way to the ring.

You act like James Harden scoring 25ppg is some big deal in today's league. He is clearly a big guard, physical, athletic, and a good shooter. He has all the tools.
It's no different to me saying guys like Kiki Vandewehe were scoring 25ppg in the late 80's, yet he wouldn't do it today. A smaller SF, with not much length or athleticism.

[Milbuck]

Rule changes have made superstars out of mediocre players in recent years. Harden is a good example. Not that he isn't talented but he sure as hell isn't averaging 25 ppg in the 90s. Some of the 90s stars would absolutely dominate the current NBA with all these modern rules concerning free throws. Robinson immediately comes to mind.

Harden legit wouldn't crack an NBA roster in the 90s. Without his constant free throws, he's just an arrogant, uncoachable piece of shit that relies on stupid transition 3s, step back jumpers, and rushing to the rim waiting to flail his arms and snap his head back. With hand checking and physical defense, that's pretty much gone too. Dude would take 2 body slams and quit driving the rest of the game. His defense is already nonexistent, so there goes that. Essentially you'd have the worst basketball player in human history.

If there was a way to transport Harden back to the late 80s and make him play the Bad Boys...

[poido123]

Harden legit wouldn't crack an NBA roster in the 90s. Without his constant free throws, he's just an arrogant, uncoachable piece of shit that relies on stupid transition 3s, step back jumpers, and rushing to the rim waiting to flail his arms and **** his head back. With hand checking and physical defense, that's pretty much gone too. Dude would take 2 body slams and quit driving the rest of the game. His defense is already nonexistent, so there goes that. Essentially you'd have the worst basketball player in human history.

A SLIGHT exaggeration, but funny nevertheless

Continue.

[Micku]

Harden most definitely scores 25ppg in any era. He may be a flopper but he is one of the most physical players in the league in terms of play style. He bullies his way to the ring.

You act like James Harden scoring 25ppg is some big deal in today's league. He is clearly a big guard, physical, athletic, and a good shooter. He has all the tools.
It's no different to me saying guys like Kiki Vandewehe were scoring 25ppg in the late 80's, yet he wouldn't do it today. A smaller SF, with not much length or athleticism.

Kiki Vandeweghe is 6'8, so he isn't small. Small nick pick.

But I do agree with you that Harden could probably score above 20+ in any era. I do think he may find it slightly more difficult depending on the team he'll face. While I do think the league admitted to change the rules to promote more perimeter play and stars, I still think he does have all the tools to still score 20-25 ppg. Ppl do give Harden a hard time because he is a flopper who don't play any D.

[diamenz]

players of today are more athletic and that is all. skill-wise, iq-wise, team-wise, and just plain basketball-wise, players of the past win out.

not to mention the lack of presence under the rim today. we all see how much of an impact ibaka has against offenses.

[knicksman]

because past prime spurs still can compete with the best. The same spurs that hasnt made the finals when the west was so competitive.

[Straight_Ballin]

Every time someone talks about any good team from the past you always get the comments regardless of the team, "If they were in today's game they would DESTROY the league".

You can't tell me this isn't nostalgia because it's the same story whenever any good team from the past is brought up.

Oh look....another young fella upset that today's era WOULD get destroyed and using nostalgia as the basis. Why would any fan want the league that they are currently watching to be inferior to the past?!? That make 0 sense. Go watch 30 for 30 bad boys and you will find your answer.

[GimmeThat]

Because it's impossible to factor in age play as well as injury.

Besides the very few dominant teams that fans have come to memorize, and mesmerized by it.

[Calabis]

Wait....how can the guys from the 90's compete with today's stars? In the last twenty years the human basketball player has evolved a million years. Nostalgic guys acting like prime Jordan, Hakeem, Magic, Bird and Shaq could compete in this era are insane. Hell have u not seen Kevin Durant? I just saw him in a commercial the other day....guy was literally tall as a 15 foot tree house, probably weighed about 600lbs and when he jumped, he basically has a NASA type shuttle launch emitting from the bottom of his feet. How anyone can assume players of the past can compete with that is what makes this board pure asinine.

[diamenz]

Wait....how can the guys from the 90's compete with today's stars? In the last twenty years the human basketball player has evolved a million years. Nostalgic guys acting like prime Jordan, Hakeem, Magic, Bird and Shaq could compete in this era are insane. Hell have u not seen Kevin Durant? I just saw him in a commercial the other day....guy was literally tall as a 15 foot tree house, probably weighed about 600lbs and when he jumped, he basically has a NASA type shuttle launch emitting from the bottom of his feet. How anyone can assume players of the past can compete with that is what makes this board pure asinine.

LoL

[SamuraiSWISH]

OP a prisoner of the moment doe