Kolek planning to go pro
My memory's a little cloudy, but I believe I've heard that some guy named Michael Jordan was a pretty good scorer.The stats say he averaged more ppg than any player ever, that he once scored 41 a game in the NBA Finals, and that he made a few important shots in his career. But what do stats know?
Who has a better career eFG% and FG%? Who gave the ball up to his teammates more? Win shares? Jordan does have the highest PPG, I'll give you that.
I know many have said this before and I firmly believe it is true; Jordan would average 45 ppg in today's NBA.
Imo here are the 10 franchise players in the NBA right now in no particular order:GiannisJokicEmbiidTatumDoncicLebronDurantBookerMorant Curry*Garland and Edwards could get there.
KD's career numbers are slightly better than Steph. I think leadership & intangibles are on Steph's side by a decent margin.
Kevin Durant is the best forward to play the game. I would take him over Larry Bird in a heartbeat. I don't think people have a good understand of how good he actually has been.
Great thread. The old guys were great for their time and would get absolutely abused in today's game. They were bigger and more athletic than anyone in their period. Comparing guys like Wilt, Kareem, and the Big O to today's players is stupid.
So you think Embiid and Jokic are better players than Wilt or Kareem would be today? Now that is a loony take. When KD wins 5 more MVPs, I will have that discussion with you. We can also discuss how Babe Ruth was an overrated fat drunk.
So you think Embiid and Jokic are better players than Wilt or Kareem would be today?
That isn't what I said. But keep going.
Ruth was a fat drunk and AWESOME
Isn't it conceivable that the players of yesteryear would adjust to today's game and train completely differently?
You said "Comparing guys like Wilt, Kareem, and the Big O to today's players is stupid."The clear implication was that they couldn't compete.
Kevin Durant is the best forward to play the game.
Of course it is. If Bird played today, he would probably be one of the 3 best 3 point shooters in the League. It was not a priority when he played.On the other hand, he may not have even been good enough to make it to the NBA (at least according to the way some posters here think )Kareem is the ultimate example. He was so good that they changed the rules so that he couldn't dunk the ball anymore because he was too tall, too quick, too athletic. So He re-built his offensive game to become possible the greatest offensive player ever.
It also seems to me that the game was much more physical back in the day on the ball. I see guys get mugged off the ball but there are far more touch fouls on the perimeter and a lot more flopping. I think the biggest change is we are seeing much more overall ball skills from taller/bigger guys. But on the other hand very few play in the post. I have a lot of difficulty believing Shaq wouldn't just annihilate people in this era.
That has to be taken with a grain of salt. If NBA guards today played against the Big O, they would very seldom get the ball past mid-court. They would be called for carrying the ball on virtually every play. Of course they would adjust - but it would take away many of the things they are able to do so easily now. Todays top athletes are not more athletic that earlier guys. There are just MORE athletes today.
Here's an example I am thinking about: Would you take KAT over Kareem, Shaq, or Tim Duncan? I don't see it frankly but it sounds like for some Scoopers they would clearly go with Towns.