NBA 2010-2011 Season - Page 74

On February 09 2011 08:47 RowdierBob wrote:


I've watched him play quite a bit and he's overrated (IMO). That's not to say he isn't a good player -- he obv is -- but he's overrated by so many people because of his somewhat deceiving stat lines.

Have you watched him defend? He has terrible lateral movement and barely contests shots a lot of the time to get himself into position for rebounding.

I like Kevin Love, but he's a typical example IMO of how box scores can overrate some players. He's basically Andrea Bargnani + rebounding; he's a stats whore.

And you really want to compare Kevin Love on the 2010/11 T.Wolves to Moses Malone on the 1983 Championship winning 76ers? Seriously, come on... They're SO far apart it isn't even funny.

On February 09 2011 12:16 Ace wrote:
Assuming we are using 80s/90s rules:

Guys like Isaiah and Larry in their primes would probably out play any of those you named except the truly elite level players like CP3/Dwight/Shaq.

Rose of course would be flat out destroyed by Thomas. If you want to know how good he was imagine how much better Chris Paul and Deron Williams are offensively than Rose and you are starting to get the picture. Defensively Thomas wasn't super elite but he wasn't bad either.

Rondo would only be good to watch for how he defends Thomas because I just can't see him driving to the lane more than 5 times a game in the 80s/90s.

Durant vs Bird would be interesting only because of Durant's height. Other than that it's not even fair since Durant like Rose hasn't developed the ability yet to play consistent high level defense at his position.

Do realize that guys like Bird, Jordan, Isaiah are "once in a blue" kind of stars. As good as Durant and Rose look now because of media hype and more information they can't hold a candle to Bird/Isaiah.

If we're using modern NBA rules where wing players are even harder to guard then kiss Rose and Durant good bye.

As for Lebron/Wade/Kobe they are probably the exceptions since they also play really good defense for their positions. Wade would have a tough time since he gets banged up a lot going to the rim but his mid range and post game game would allow him to do a ton of damage. If he's being guarded by MJ I'm sure he won't dominate but he wouldn't be shut out either.

Likewise Kobe gets the same treatment. Except Kobe has an even deadlier post game than Wade while Wade at this point might be the better defender.

Lebron is big, fast and handles like a guard. He's a bigger Magic Johnson with a better shot and possibly better defense. Have fun trying to stop that.

On February 09 2011 13:11 BalliSLife wrote:



So you take modern NBA or old school? I don't know I'm judging from highlights but to me it always seems like d rose will absolutely shit on anybody during the 80s to 90s.

On February 09 2011 14:00 ricerocket wrote:
Uh, do you think Isiah would do that in today's NBA? Not whether or not he could, but whether or not he would.

The notion that "old school" people are tougher than today's NBA players is -- for the lack of a better word -- laughable. If you just compare two random games from the 80s and the 00s, you will see players are generally stronger and faster, not to mention lasting longer physically as they have longer careers, which are the result of better training, conditioning and medical treatments.

The reason neither Isiah's response nor the hard foul would happen in the first place is that the entire culture of the league is now very different. Players realize that while they are competitors against one another, they are also colleagues and coworkers, and it is to nobody's benefit if someone breaks his neck on the court, and you do yourself no good if you come out of injuries too soon. We as fans may care about whether they are really "tough guys," but I hope everyone at least realizes deep down that those people making millions playing ball really don't give a damn what we think.

I really believe if Rose and Isiah Thomas switched places, you would have an elite guard in Isiah today and be questioning whether he's tough enough to get stitched up and return to a regular season game like Rose did in the 80's.

On February 09 2011 14:43 city42 wrote:

Yes.


Why exactly is it laughable? And do you realize the contradiction you just put forth in this paragraph? First, you claim that today's players are either level or have the edge in the toughness department on the old school guys. Then, you claim that today's players last longer physically. The truth is, players of previous generations had shorter careers BECAUSE they were tougher. Do you think it helped Kevin McHale's career length expectancy when he played through 4 playoff rounds with a broken foot? Looking at a modern day warrior, how's that decision to rush back for the playoffs last year working out for Roy? Unfortunately players like Roy are becoming rarer and rarer.


Again, wrong. The attitude of today's game is different for two main reasons:

1) Players aren't just colleagues and coworkers, they are FRIENDS. They've been playing together since they were teenagers on AAU teams, and there is very little vitriol in the league. You make it seem like the NBA just had an epiphany and decided to be friendly. I don't recall Karl Malone giving up his style of play as he continued into the 2000s, and I don't see KG trying to make friends on the court (remember, he wasn't an AAU guy).
2) Stern has been gradually making the game more finesse-based in order to sell the brand internationally. Legalizing zone defense, adding a defensive 3 second violation, creating the charge circle, etc.


I really believe the exact opposite.

On February 09 2011 15:31 BalliSLife wrote:


I agree with a lot of what both sides are saying. It's still very complicated for me to understand whether or not the players of today increased in general skill overall or decreased, maybe because there were more styles to players back in the 80s that were easily distinguishable, and players now
are more all around?