True or False: Only a FEW players from the 80s had athleticism to play today?

[TAZORAC]

One of the biggest changes in the NBA today and the 80s and going back further is the level of athleticism. One thing that made Jordan different when he came into the NBA in the 80s was his level of athleticism and body control. It was never seen before in the NBA until that point.

So lets get to the point, is it true that only few players had the athleticism to play in todays NBA?

Those players were, Jordan, Wilkins, Pippen, Drexler, Malone, Barkley, Ewing, Robinson, Olajuwon, Price, Stockton, Ron Harper, Reggie Miller.

True or False?

[tontoz]

Our league MVP isn't exactly known for his athleticism.

[Bronbron23]

One of the biggest changes in the NBA today and the 80s and going back further is the level of athleticism. One thing that made Jordan different when he came into the NBA in the 80s was his level of athleticism and body control. It was never seen before in the NBA until that point.

So lets get to the point, is it true that only few players had the athleticism to play in todays NBA?

Those players were, Jordan, Wilkins, Pippen, Drexler, Malone, Barkley, Ewing, Robinson, Olajuwon, Price, Stockton, Ron Harper, Reggie Miller.

True or False?

There's more non athletic players dominating than ever before. Wtf are talking about bruh?

[HylianNightmare]

False

[ralph_i_el]

False

[HBK_Kliq_2]

Yeah I don't really see it, considering guys like Jokic and Luka are playing so well.

I would say the skillset of 1950s\1960s would have to be massively updated though, they dribble like 5th graders back then.

[Bronbron23]

Yeah I don't really see it, considering guys like Jokic and Luka are playing so well.

I would say the skillset of 1950s\1960s would have to be massively updated though, they dribble like 5th graders back then.

I remember seeing a video somewhere awhile back talking about why they dribbled that way. Apparently it was a carry back then if your hand was on the side of the ball so they always had to have the hand on top of the ball. If that's true that crazy. Think about how awkward it would be to switch hands or cross over.

[hiphopanonymous]

... this can't be serious

[hiphopanonymous]

Darryl Dawkins and innumerable non-superstar players would laughably outshine players like Patrick Ewing alive in "athleticism" comparisons. Your theory is horse shit. Athleticism isn't the magic bullet to being great and great ones aren't great simply due to their athleticism allegedly being superior to their opponents.

[TheMan]

False, if athleticism was the be all, end all Deandre Jordan would be a GOAT center.

[72-10]

That's completely false, although generally professional athletes work out harder since the 80s, and it shows in the shape of their body. That does not bear much correlation with basketball skill and intelligence, FWIW. The most someone could improve their skills by consistently working on it is double it, and Michael is the only player that has come close to doing that.

[Manny98]

The MVP of the league isn't exactly an athletic freak

https://i.postimg.cc/9Qpmmsdb/1179236154-jpg.jpg

[SATAN]

I remember seeing a video somewhere awhile back talking about why they dribbled that way. Apparently it was a carry back then if your hand was on the side of the ball so they always had to have the hand on top of the ball. If that's true that crazy. Think about how awkward it would be to switch hands or cross over.

Time to stop taking this guy seriously.

[Round Mound]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD7o6nCv5qw

[Full Court]

False. Players being more athletic today is a myth. If anything, the players are softer today. It might be mental more than physical, but today's players sit out for minor injuries and won't play through adversity.

[Smoke117]

Athleticism isn't everything. Larry Bird wasn't a good athlete during his own time, but would still shit on you. He'd shit on these modern cats, too. Skill is skill in any era.

[72-10]

Athleticism isn't everything. Larry Bird wasn't a good athlete during his own time, but would still shit on you. He'd shit on these modern cats, too. Skill is skill in any era.

Great skill is. Yes he was actually he averaged 40 minutes per game = more than Mike. But he did not work on his physique like Mike did, like with a revolutionary weight and resistance training regimen to develop the muscles more to meet the demands on the court.

[Mr. Woke]

The 80s was a weaker era.

[Chick Stern]

The 80s was a weaker era.
Somebody is butthurt that the 90s were the weakest NBA decade

https://media.tenor.com/images/d4a60de5186ec4834a3474704442b996/tenor.gif

[Mr. Woke]

Somebody is butthurt that the 90s were the weakest NBA decade

https://media.tenor.com/images/d4a60de5186ec4834a3474704442b996/tenor.gif

The 80s/90s/early 2000s are all weak in comparison to the modern NBA. The modern NBA is the toughest and most competitive era.

[3ba11]

remove today's spacing away and the game won't look so athletic

so remove the 3-point line or reduce attempts and watch the court shrink.. All 10 players would start congregating around the paint and great plays would be hard to come by.. Players will show flashes of crazy athleticism but not on every play like today's spaced-out, hands-off beginner format

[Jasper]

Larry Bird had a body that did not look athletic , but dude was very agile as well as strong standing 6'10" as a SF.

[72-10]

The 80s/90s/early 2000s are all weak in comparison to the modern NBA. The modern NBA is the toughest and most competitive era.

What do you base this premise on, Mr. Woke?

[Mr. Woke]

What do you base this premise on, Mr. Woke?

Reality and common sense.

People like you need to take off the nostalgia goggles.