Is it true that athletes today are stronger and faster than athletes back then?

[keep-itreal]

yes no?

something to do with human evolution?

[navy]

No. Humans are the same (maybe even worse since non healthy people live to reproduce longer), technology and science are better though.

[Lebronxrings]

yes.

Nutrition has improved, science has improved (thoroughly researched techniques).

[Marchesk]

Your epigenome responds to the environment. Genes aren't just a recipe or blue print. They can be turned on or off.

Better nutrition = taller population. Better nutrition + better education = smarter population.

[Mr. Jabbar]

yes.

http://i33.tinypic.com/25q817l.jpg

[CavaliersFTW]

yes.

http://i33.tinypic.com/25q817l.jpg
No:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G94iJr8ZbzM

:D

[WayOfWade]

I feel like they're better "athletes," they are much less durable nowadays, players miss way more games for "rest" than they ever used to

[InsanityKills]

yes.

http://i33.tinypic.com/25q817l.jpg
:lol :lol

Justin would dominate this era.

[navy]

I feel like they're better "athletes," they are much less durable nowadays, players miss way more games for "rest" than they ever used to
No, thats just because they've determined the nba regular season is pointless. Remember it was just 2013 when Pop caught flack for resting his stars. He literally changed the entire nba

[Mr. Jabbar]

No:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G94iJr8ZbzM

:D

ya wilt with todays training nutrition would break shaq like a twig

[boldarblood]

I would definitely say that there are better athletes today, better living through modern chemistry.

I think we push these athletes a lot harder today than in the past. A lot more year round training. I think the injuries related to that.

Also Wilt is your outlier. He's the exception to the rule, what an amazing athlete for any generation.

That doesn't mean that today's athletes are better players, it seems that the past had more cerebral players.

[Mr. Jabbar]

:lol :lol

Justin would dominate this era.

justin is current era-ready too

SICK

HANDLES

[InsanityKills]

justin is current era-ready too

SICK

HANDLES
http://i.giphy.com/888hCuypyqoF2.gif
I see no difference between this and the gif above.:confusedshrug:

[Nick Young]

Better training methods. Better nutrition. Better sports science. Better fitness regimes. Also, athletes today probably are stronger and faster than in the past considering our population pool is bigger than in the past, and also that humans continually evolve and improve.

[Nick Young]

yes.

http://i33.tinypic.com/25q817l.jpg
Those handles would be equally effective in this day and age, it just doesn't look cool.

[bobopenguin]

yes.
records were shuttered yearly.

[Mr. Jabbar]

http://i.giphy.com/888hCuypyqoF2.gif
I see no difference between this and the gif above.:confusedshrug:

we might the slo mo version, i cant even see the ball on that crossover :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Mr. Jabbar]

Those handles would be equally effective in this day and age, it just doesn't look cool.

but look at the defender on the bottom, not effective this day :lol

[Im Still Ballin]

http://i.giphy.com/888hCuypyqoF2.gif

[Round Mound]

Yes, there are so many Shaq`s in todays game...

[InsanityKills]

we might the slo mo version, i cant even see the ball on that crossover :bowdown: :bowdown:
I've seen enough, Justin>>>>>Wilt (in same era) :eek:
http://i64.tinypic.com/15o8h9t.jpg

[sd3035]

yes.

http://i33.tinypic.com/25q817l.jpg


Curry would average 100 against those guys

[Mr. Jabbar]

http://i.giphy.com/888hCuypyqoF2.gif

That arm extension is intimidating as hell, ive only seen that behaviour in wild silverback gorillas.

[Mr. Jabbar]

I've seen enough, Justin>>>>>Wilt (in same era) :eek:
http://i64.tinypic.com/15o8h9t.jpg

:roll:

:bowdown: :bowdown:

[Nick Young]

but look at the defender on the bottom, not effective this day :lol
It's that subtle hesitation move bro.

[Marchesk]

Cousy would still be a great ball handler and passer today, his shot is what would be the problem.

[FreezingTsmoove]

No

Wilt today would be the biggest and strongest athlete

In all honesty we are in a weak era right now

Any dominate big man from the past can come in and win a chip

[Hamtaro CP3KDKG]

http://i.giphy.com/888hCuypyqoF2.gif
I see no difference between this and the gif above.:confusedshrug:
http://24.media.tumblr.com/fb6b9fc6d1083cc5cb76ecb4f9678df4/tumblr_n0i005drPi1sq0upuo1_400.gif

[3ball]

if athletes have materially advanced in the last 40 years, then surely they'll be dunking from the 3-point line by 2050 right?

and by 2100, they'll need to make the court twice as long because players will be dunking from the backcourt.

oh wait.. most of the recent sprinting records have been set by jamaicans, who are a tiny island of outliers.. The US world record in 100 meters pretty much the same as it was in the late 80's.. The high jump and long jump records haven't been broken forever.. basically, players aren't jumping any higher or running any faster today than previous eras.

There's tons of other evidence that human athleticism hasn't increased.. And the whole "nutrition" argument is overblown... Regardless of era, many players have bad diets and don't focus on their diet.. The ones that do, aren't eating that much better than the guys in previous eras that did.

[90sgoat]

if athletes have materially advanced in the last 40 years, then surely they'll be dunking from the 3-point line by 2050 right?

and by 2100, they'll need to make the court twice as long because players will be dunking from the backcourt.

oh wait.. most of the recent sprinting records have been set by jamaicans, who are a tiny island of outliers.. The US world record in 100 meters pretty much the same as it was in the late 80's.. The high jump and long jump records haven't been broken forever.. basically, players aren't jumping any higher or running any faster today than previous eras.

There's tons of other evidence that human athleticism hasn't increased.. And the whole "nutrition" argument is overblown... Regardless of era, many players have bad diets and don't focus on their diet.. The ones that do, aren't eating that much better than the guys in previous eras that did.

I made a thread some time ago.

If we take away Usain Bolt, who is a once in a millenium physical freak, then most records in athletics are set in the 80s and 90s.

Very few new records are set post 2000s.

This is because sports science was already at close to peak in the 80s while steroid use was easier and more effective due to less efficient testing.

How many Jordans and Dominique Wilkins, how many Shaqs and D-Robs? How many Karl Malones?

WORSE athletes, maybe slightly better jumpers on average.

[toxicxr6]

Absolutely no question

It's hard to prove it in basketball because the game has so many variables


But let's look at some sports where there aren't as many

Track and field
Swimming

Those are very structured events.. With very isolated talent requirements

And every year records get broken.. Every year and if you compare the current records to 30-40 years ago they aren't comparable at all

I'm not saying that humans are evolving but our understanding of the human body has.. Technology is the main reason for the improvements..

[aj1987]

Absolutely no question

It's hard to prove it in basketball because the game has so many variables


But let's look at some sports where there aren't as many

Track and field
Swimming

Those are very structured events.. With very isolated talent requirements

And every year records get broken.. Every year and if you compare the current records to 30-40 years ago they aren't comparable at all

I'm not saying that humans are evolving but our understanding of the human body has.. Technology is the main reason for the improvements..
Haven't most of the weight lifting records been set in the past 10 years as well?

[f0und]

the overall athleticism has improved league wide a little bit. but peak athletes of today vs peak athletes of yesteryear, theres hardly any difference.

[ralph_i_el]

More people to pull from, especially because the game has exploded in terms of global popularity. Larger population to pull from= more great athletes and talented players.

This doesn't mean that the top level guys are any more talented and athletic, it just means we're more likely to have MORE great athletes and talented players. I would say that the league is much deeper today than at any point.....but what do I know, I've only been watching seriously for ~10 years.

[SwayDizzle]

we might the slo mo version, i cant even see the ball on that crossover :bowdown: :bowdown:
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[feyki]

Those handles would be equally effective in this day and age, it just doesn't look cool.

People don't understand which it works . They just looks on show .

[StephHamann]

yes no?

something to do with human evolution?

Yes

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/aa/00/70/aa0070fe2fed71701098cb3e0ab9812d.jpg

[PP34Deuce]

There are better athletes. there's been more focus on player athletics than their fundamentals.

There's more guys that can go from the free throw line than the past I'm sure.

DR J, MJ, Drexler, Pippen, Baylor were all ahead of their time athletically. They were doing things not heard of. Same with Bill Russell and Wilt.

Other guys, just aren't as athletic on average.

[TemporaMutantur]

It due to:

1. Bigger outreach and general interest
2. Better training/nutrition etc.


Otherwise, not enough time has passed for there to be a significant jump as to physique on a evolutionary scale.

[90sgoat]

Absolutely no question

It's hard to prove it in basketball because the game has so many variables


But let's look at some sports where there aren't as many

Track and field
Swimming

Those are very structured events.. With very isolated talent requirements

And every year records get broken.. Every year and if you compare the current records to 30-40 years ago they aren't comparable at all

I'm not saying that humans are evolving but our understanding of the human body has.. Technology is the main reason for the improvements..

Moron talking out your ass:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=389763

World Records in Athletics

100m dash: Usain Bolt - 2009
200m dash: Usain Bolt - 2009
400m dash: Michael Johnson - 1999

High Jump: Javier Sotomayor - 1993
Long Jump: Mike Powell - 1991
Tripple Jump: Jonathan Edwards - 1995

Shot Put: Randy Barnes - 1990
Discus Throw: Jurgen Schult - 1986
Hammer Throw: Yuriu Sedykh - 1986
Javelin Throw: Jan Zelezny - 1996

[aj1987]

Moron talking out your ass:

http://www.insidehoops.com/forum/showthread.php?t=389763

World Records in Athletics

100m dash: Usain Bolt - 2009
200m dash: Usain Bolt - 2009
400m dash: Michael Johnson - 1999

High Jump: Javier Sotomayor - 1993
Long Jump: Mike Powell - 1991
Tripple Jump: Jonathan Edwards - 1995

Shot Put: Randy Barnes - 1990
Discus Throw: Jurgen Schult - 1986
Hammer Throw: Yuriu Sedykh - 1986
Javelin Throw: Jan Zelezny - 1996
Probably because of:


This is because sports science was already at close to peak in the 80s while steroid use was easier and more effective due to less efficient testing.
* era. Cheaters who couldn't set records without doping.

[90sgoat]

Probably because of:


* era. Cheaters who couldn't set records without doping.

Jamaica is a third world country where half the athletes have been caught doping.

I hope you realize all contestants in every single track and field event on highest levels are doped.

[TYCRO]

yes.

http://i33.tinypic.com/25q817l.jpg
Funny that people always post this, despite there not being many similar instances. Also, if he dribbled like modern day players, he would be called for carrying constantly.

[Marchesk]

But let's look at some sports where there aren't as many

Track and field
Swimming

Those are very structured events.. With very isolated talent requirements

And every year records get broken.. Every year and if you compare the current records to 30-40 years ago they aren't comparable at all

Yeah, but equipment and track surface, not to mention PEDs, matter a lot there. The kind of track Bolt runs on compared to the kind Jesse Owens ran on are very different, not to mention shoes and starting blocks.

[Marchesk]

Jim Ryun ran a 3:55 mile in high school in 1965. That was broken one time in 2001, for US high schoolers. Kenyan records might be a bit different. They are the Jamaicans of middle distance.

[sekachu]

yes no?

something to do with human evolution?





better than 80s but I don't think better than 90s.

[90sgoat]

Yeah, but equipment and track surface, not to mention PEDs, matter a lot there. The kind of track Bolt runs on compared to the kind Jesse Owens ran on are very different, not to mention shoes and starting blocks.

Usain Bolt is the MJ of track and field, his record might stand 50 years or more. Lets not denigrate what he has done, he is a once in 1000 years athlete.

If you remove Usain Bolt, Michael Johnson's 200 meter record from back in the 90s also stand, which essentially means ONLY the 100 meter dash is a recent record and that's only because those guys were on bodybuilding level doping.

[Marchesk]

Usain Bolt is the MJ of track and field, his record might stand 50 years or more. Lets not denigrate what he has done, he is a once in 1000 years athlete.

If you remove Usain Bolt, Michael Johnson's 200 meter record from back in the 90s also stand, which essentially means ONLY the 100 meter dash is a recent record and that's only because those guys were on bodybuilding level doping.

By MJ, you mean Wilt, if you're talking about records standing for 50 years or more. I'm not denigrating Bolt, I'm just pointing out that he has advantages over Owens when it comes to shoes, track surfaces and starting blocks. Also, the drugs available to sprinters today.

[3ball]

.
If today's athletes are better, than why do the wings of previous eras match today's era man-for-man?



...2000-2014.................1984-1998

Kobe Bryant.............. Michael Jordan
LeBron James............ Magic Johnson
Kevin Durant............. Larry Bird
Dwayne Wade........... Clyde Drexler
Russell Westbrook..... Gary Payton
Tracey McGrady......... Dominique Wilkins
James Harden........... Grant Hill
Kawhi Leonard.......... Scottie Pippen
Paul Pierce............... Adrian Dantley
Carmelo Anthony....... Alex English
Vince Carter............. James Worthy
Allen Iverson............ Penny Hardaway
Jason Kidd............... Jason Kidd


Honorable Mention 1984-1998: Doctor J, Dennis Rodman, Reggie Lewis, Reggie Miller, Sidney Moncrief, Joe Dumars, Eddie Jones, Mitch Richmond, Alvin Robertson, Detlef Schrempf, Dennis Johnson, Latrell Sprewell, Ronaldo Blackman, Fat Lever, Glen Rice, Chris Mullin, Kiki Vandeweghe (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0ZCbZq8wWg), Jamaal Mashburn, Glenn Robinson

Honorable Mention 2000-2014: Ron Artest, Shawn Marion, Andre Igouodala, Ray Allen, Paul George, Manu Ginobili, Brandon Roy, Klay Thompson, Jimmy Butler, Joe Johnson, Rip Hamilton, Gilbert Arenas, Michael Redd, Draymond Green, Peja Stojakovic, Antawn Jamison, Luol Deng, Rashard Lewis



^^^^^ Remember, this is just the wing players - if we add the bigs, previous eras blow today's era to Mars