lipoli390 wrote:Here's another one. It's fun to think of how unstoppable MJ would be in today's game without hand-checking and rules that have heavily skewed the game in favor of scoring.
https://youtu.be/ZeIpVRvc_k0
I think Michael Jordan would have been great in any era, but I don't think he would be any greater in this era than he was in his own. I think that because this era, in my opinion, is much bigger across the board and way more athletic. Not to mention, there's an increased dependence on actual skill versus bully ball and post work. What Jordan would gain from the rule changes he would lose going up against more imposing defenders and more comprehensive defensive schemes.
I disagree, Cam. I'll trust the opinion of NBA players, especially those who played against him and including some who played in MJ's era and more recently.
LeBron is far more of a bully-ball player; Jordan was not even though he could also use his strength to overpower many defenders. Bottom line is that Jordan was incredibly skilled as well as athletically gifted. He mastered the mid-range like no other and he would have mastered the three pointer as well in today's NBA where it is is such a featured part of the League.. His combination of skill, speed, athleticism, ball-handling and IQ, as well as his unbelievable will and energy, would have been unbelievably effective under modern NBA rules that really impede the ability to defend. Players really aren't bigger, more athletic or more skilled today than back then. And there are so many young raw players today entering the NBA after only one or two years of college. MJ averaged 37 points per game bank in the late 80s. I have no doubt these knowledgeable NBA players are right when they say MJ would average in the 40s today.
lipoli390 wrote:Here's another one. It's fun to think of how unstoppable MJ would be in today's game without hand-checking and rules that have heavily skewed the game in favor of scoring.
https://youtu.be/ZeIpVRvc_k0
I think Michael Jordan would have been great in any era, but I don't think he would be any greater in this era than he was in his own. I think that because this era, in my opinion, is much bigger across the board and way more athletic. Not to mention, there's an increased dependence on actual skill versus bully ball and post work. What Jordan would gain from the rule changes he would lose going up against more imposing defenders and more comprehensive defensive schemes.
I disagree, Cam. I'll trust the opinion of NBA players, especially those who played against him and including some who played in MJ's era and more recently.
LeBron is far more of a bully-ball player; Jordan was not even though he could also use his strength to overpower many defenders. Bottom line is that Jordan was incredibly skilled as well as athletically gifted. He mastered the mid-range like no other and he would have mastered the three pointer as well in today's NBA where it is is such a featured part of the League.. His combination of skill, speed, athleticism, ball-handling and IQ, as well as his unbelievable will and energy, would have been unbelievably effective under modern NBA rules that really impede the ability to defend. Players really aren't bigger, more athletic or more skilled today than back then. And there are so many young raw players today entering the NBA after only one or two years of college. MJ averaged 37 points per game bank in the late 80s. I have no doubt these knowledgeable NBA players are right when they say MJ would average in the 40s today.
It's fun to compare eras but it's all in theory we really don't know. I do think the breadth of talent from top to bottom might be better now than 20 years ago but on the other hand can you imagine MJ hunting the worst defender on the floor and then going to work on them? Lol I think Jordan's athletic ability combined with his size and ridiculous skill has rarely been matched since then. Lebron has a ridiculous combination of those things but its a different package. I often get confused why he has so many haters.
I wish instead of comparing players to see which guy was better or what era was tougher or whatever it was more comparing to appreciate the greatness of the players or the league. When I first started watching the league as a kid it was a wonderful time where I was treated to watching the Lakers and Celtics playing in the Finals every year. Sometimes I think Larry Bird doesn't get talked about enough by people that talk about the greatest players of all time. It makes sense because at this point there are a lot of people that simply never saw him play and because of injuries he didn't have the lengthy career of some guys. Heck there are people that are just learning about Darvin Ham's dunking exploits when he was a player. Lol I loved Darvin Ham as a player and I hope he does well as a coach.
lipoli390 wrote:Here's another one. It's fun to think of how unstoppable MJ would be in today's game without hand-checking and rules that have heavily skewed the game in favor of scoring.
https://youtu.be/ZeIpVRvc_k0
I think Michael Jordan would have been great in any era, but I don't think he would be any greater in this era than he was in his own. I think that because this era, in my opinion, is much bigger across the board and way more athletic. Not to mention, there's an increased dependence on actual skill versus bully ball and post work. What Jordan would gain from the rule changes he would lose going up against more imposing defenders and more comprehensive defensive schemes.
I disagree, Cam. I'll trust the opinion of NBA players, especially those who played against him and including some who played in MJ's era and more recently.
LeBron is far more of a bully-ball player; Jordan was not even though he could also use his strength to overpower many defenders. Bottom line is that Jordan was incredibly skilled as well as athletically gifted. He mastered the mid-range like no other and he would have mastered the three pointer as well in today's NBA where it is is such a featured part of the League.. His combination of skill, speed, athleticism, ball-handling and IQ, as well as his unbelievable will and energy, would have been unbelievably effective under modern NBA rules that really impede the ability to defend. Players really aren't bigger, more athletic or more skilled today than back then. And there are so many young raw players today entering the NBA after only one or two years of college. MJ averaged 37 points per game bank in the late 80s. I have no doubt these knowledgeable NBA players are right when they say MJ would average in the 40s today.
It's fun to compare eras but it's all in theory we really don't know. I do think the breadth of talent from top to bottom might be better now than 20 years ago but on the other hand can you imagine MJ hunting the worst defender on the floor and then going to work on them? Lol I think Jordan's athletic ability combined with his size and ridiculous skill has rarely been matched since then. Lebron has a ridiculous combination of those things but its a different package. I often get confused why he has so many haters.
I wish instead of comparing players to see which guy was better or what era was tougher or whatever it was more comparing to appreciate the greatness of the players or the league. When I first started watching the league as a kid it was a wonderful time where I was treated to watching the Lakers and Celtics playing in the Finals every year. Sometimes I think Larry Bird doesn't get talked about enough by people that talk about the greatest players of all time. It makes sense because at this point there are a lot of people that simply never saw him play and because of injuries he didn't have the lengthy career of some guys. Heck there are people that are just learning about Darvin Ham's dunking exploits when he was a player. Lol I loved Darvin Ham as a player and I hope he does well as a coach.
The pool of players has increased with the globalization of the NBA and the rise of international leagues that produce elite talent like Giannis,Jokic,Doncic, Gobert and the Gasols. In Jordan's era, there was Toni Kukoc and not much else. I think Jordan would be dominant in any era.
lipoli390 wrote:Here's another one. It's fun to think of how unstoppable MJ would be in today's game without hand-checking and rules that have heavily skewed the game in favor of scoring.
https://youtu.be/ZeIpVRvc_k0
I think Michael Jordan would have been great in any era, but I don't think he would be any greater in this era than he was in his own. I think that because this era, in my opinion, is much bigger across the board and way more athletic. Not to mention, there's an increased dependence on actual skill versus bully ball and post work. What Jordan would gain from the rule changes he would lose going up against more imposing defenders and more comprehensive defensive schemes.
I disagree, Cam. I'll trust the opinion of NBA players, especially those who played against him and including some who played in MJ's era and more recently.
LeBron is far more of a bully-ball player; Jordan was not even though he could also use his strength to overpower many defenders. Bottom line is that Jordan was incredibly skilled as well as athletically gifted. He mastered the mid-range like no other and he would have mastered the three pointer as well in today's NBA where it is is such a featured part of the League.. His combination of skill, speed, athleticism, ball-handling and IQ, as well as his unbelievable will and energy, would have been unbelievably effective under modern NBA rules that really impede the ability to defend. Players really aren't bigger, more athletic or more skilled today than back then. And there are so many young raw players today entering the NBA after only one or two years of college. MJ averaged 37 points per game bank in the late 80s. I have no doubt these knowledgeable NBA players are right when they say MJ would average in the 40s today.
It's fun to compare eras but it's all in theory we really don't know. I do think the breadth of talent from top to bottom might be better now than 20 years ago but on the other hand can you imagine MJ hunting the worst defender on the floor and then going to work on them? Lol I think Jordan's athletic ability combined with his size and ridiculous skill has rarely been matched since then. Lebron has a ridiculous combination of those things but its a different package. I often get confused why he has so many haters.
I wish instead of comparing players to see which guy was better or what era was tougher or whatever it was more comparing to appreciate the greatness of the players or the league. When I first started watching the league as a kid it was a wonderful time where I was treated to watching the Lakers and Celtics playing in the Finals every year. Sometimes I think Larry Bird doesn't get talked about enough by people that talk about the greatest players of all time. It makes sense because at this point there are a lot of people that simply never saw him play and because of injuries he didn't have the lengthy career of some guys. Heck there are people that are just learning about Darvin Ham's dunking exploits when he was a player. Lol I loved Darvin Ham as a player and I hope he does well as a coach.
The pool of players has increased with the globalization of the NBA and the rise of international leagues that produce elite talent like Giannis,Jokic,Doncic, Gobert and the Gasols. In Jordan's era, there was Toni Kukoc and not much else. I think Jordan would be dominant in any era.
Yep. The pool of players has increased with globalization. But note that the influx of international players has not increased the level of athleticism or defense in the League. We also have more teams, which somewhat dilutes the overall level of talent, and more younger players coming out of college earlier with less developed skill and less maturity. Jordan would, of course, be dominant in any era. But I think those former NBA players know what they're talking about when they say Jordan would be even more dominant in this era than he was in his.
thedoper wrote:Mikan would dominate today. He could do layups with both hands.
Lol. Good one, Doper. The difference between now and the Bob Cousy (one hand dribble) era is humongous. Of course, the difference between today and the 90s - not so much in my view.
