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Which players from back in the day would still be all stars if they played in todays game (alien.top)

submitted 2 years ago by J0hnEddy@alien.top to c/nba@nba.space

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When people try to rank and debate the greatest players in basketball history, or any sports history for that matter, it’s always pointed out that you can’t compare modern players and players from the past because at a base level, the philosophy of the game has changed drastically and the skills players possess have become more refined. My question is, are there any players from the 90s or earlier, who were so dominant that you could place them in a 2023 game and they would still be a threat? Like would Larry Birds game still be effective or would he get eaten alive by todays talent?

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[–] PoptartJones69@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (2 children)

Dude Larry Bird would still wreck today's league. Just because he didn't have Derrick Jones Jr's hops doesn't mean he couldn't hang, he's essentially LeBron's vision + elite shooting and handles in Joe Ingles' body (I know this is a very basic and lazy description, just trying to bridge eras). And Ingles was a guy who could handle defending elite, athletic wings.

Really, almost any superstar from any era would make it work in today's era. Patrick Ewing would be closer to Joel Embiid than Kevon Looney (no disrespect to Loon) if that's what you're trying to insinuate.

[–] Hanhonhon@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

If Jokic can dominate today's game, Bird certainly could

[–] ConfuciusBr0s@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago (3 children)

People can't help comparing 2 players who have completely different styles just because they're white

[–] BoopasaurusRex_____@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

I think an interesting question is does Bird play the small ball 5 at 6’10 in the playoffs. Imagine him in GS system

[–] AcrobaticFeedback@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

It more about exposing the people that think Bird wouldn't survive because of his lack of athleticism, when Jokic is undisputedly the best player with 0 athleticism.

And the funny thing is, Bird was reasonably athletic.

[–] Hanhonhon@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

Nah there are definitely some similarities between the two

[–] RiceIceRice@alien.top 1 points 2 years ago

bird wouldnt be a great three point shooter in this era but his midrange would still be elite