If LeBron played Center in the 60's, what kind of rim protector would he have been?

[1987_Lakers]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8vHsmmzElA

It's well documented Russell & Wilt had insane block numbers that were never recorded, I really wonder how many blocks he would have averaged if his coach primarily played him at the C spot on defense. His blocks probably don't reach Russell or Wilt's, but still.

[Johnny32]

i think he'd prob have more not playing c and roaming on help d.

[expansionera]

He’d be an incredible PF back then, like 33ppg 24rpg 16apg sort of deal with annual rings

[Bronbron23]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8vHsmmzElA

It's well documented Russell & Wilt had insane block numbers that were never recorded, I really wonder how many blocks he would have averaged if his coach primarily played him at the C spot on defense. His blocks probably don't reach Russell or Wilt's, but still.

Who knows but you realize he wouldn't be the same player right?

[Kblaze8855]

He was literally carried off the court the one game of his career played without air conditioning. There was only one air conditioned arena in the nba in the 60s. He might not be built for the kind of adversity those guys dealt with.

[1987_Lakers]

He was literally carried off the court the one game of his career played without air conditioning. There was only one air conditioned arena in the nba in the 60s. He might not be built for the kind of adversity those guys dealt with.

We also saw Kareem suck on oxygen in Boston with no AC. Are you saying Kareem wouldn't be able to play in the 60's?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qB8VHTfTAMk/maxresdefault.jpg

[Kblaze8855]

Boston didn’t have AC at any point of Kareems career and a lot of other places didn’t either for portions of it. I’d say he did ok. He was still finals mvp playing in that same arena at 38 with no ac.

[Thenameless]

We also saw Kareem suck on oxygen in Boston with no AC. Are you saying Kareem wouldn't be able to play in the 60's?

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qB8VHTfTAMk/maxresdefault.jpg

Don't compare old Kareem with the Magic Lakers to young, prime Milwaukee Kareem.

[FromDowntown]

bout tree fiddy

[dankok8]

Lebron's career high blocks per game average is 1.1... He might average 2 per game in the 60's playing C.

[Baller789]

Lebron guarding prime Kareem?

It would be a massacre.

[Thenameless]

Lebron guarding prime Kareem?

It would be a massacre.

Yes, if Kareem could score 30 a night against a 7-foot center guarding him, he would abuse a 6-8 to 6-9 player guarding him.

[1987_Lakers]

Don't compare old Kareem with the Magic Lakers to young, prime Milwaukee Kareem.

I know people in their 40's who run 5 miles a day, sure endurance takes a slight decline after our 20's, but 37 is still very young (Kareem's age in that pic). How many people in their 40's complete marathons? I'm guessing alot.

[999Guy]

Nonexistent one compared to Wilt, Russell.

LeBron’s speed at recovering to the rim lends itself to rim protection but his body type doesn’t.

He’s not a quick jumper, even tough he’s an insanely explosive one, and he’s not overly long.

[Baller789]

I know people in their 40's who run 5 miles a day, sure endurance takes a slight decline after our 20's, but 37 is still very young (Kareem's age in that pic). How many people in their 40's complete marathons? I'm guessing alot.
But this isn't a marathon is it?
How NBA all stars are 37 years old or older?

[1987_Lakers]

But this isn't a marathon is it?
How NBA all stars are 37 years old or older?

LeBron will be.

And we are talking about being fatigued here. That is a cardio issue.

[Baller789]

LeBron will be.

And we are talking about being fatigued here. That is a cardio issue.

Lebron and?

[1987_Lakers]

Boston didn’t have AC at any point of Kareems career and a lot of other places didn’t either for portions of it. I’d say he did ok. He was still finals mvp playing in that same arena at 38 with no ac.

I'm pretty sure if LeBron did play in that era, not every game would be 90 degrees in the arena like it was in 2014. :oldlol:

[Kblaze8855]

I’m also pretty sure he’d have water not Gatorade, play in shoes made of construction paper, ride trains, sleep on the bus in cities that didn’t let blacks have hotel rooms, and have nothing to spend his million a year in body care on other than snake oil “vitamins”.

Lebron in 1962 would be unrecognizable. A great athletic prospect by genetics but who knows what else. Those guys did not live a life modern athletes are used to.

[1987_Lakers]

I’m also pretty sure he’d have water not Gatorade, play in shoes made of construction paper, ride trains, sleep on the bus in cities that didn’t let blacks have hotel rooms, and have nothing to spend his million a year in body care on other than snake oil “vitamins”.

Lebron in 1962 would be unrecognizable. A great athletic prospect by genetics but who knows what else. Those guys did not live a life modern athletes are used to.

https://c.tenor.com/H0foamBzrn4AAAAC/bob-cousy-crossover.gif

I like LeBron's chances.

[Baller789]

https://c.tenor.com/H0foamBzrn4AAAAC/bob-cousy-crossover.gif

I like LeBron's chances.

Yeah but he isn't guarding that guy.

He's guarding these guys:

https://i.ibb.co/7C5wpjt/images-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/r0SCpF2)

And I don't like your guy's chances cuz he could barely guard the offensively challenged Dwight Howard.

[Kblaze8855]

I don’t remember exactly what year that is but it isn’t the 60s. One of the more popular Cousy gifs used is actually from his college days in the 40s but I don’t think that’s the one. I just know when it first started being clowned someone figured out it was well before people thought it was.

Either way there are clear issues to deal with.

Even ignoring that white stars could get him benched on a whim(Bob Pettit got a black teammate benched, the coach fired for playing him, then got the owner to make him player coach)….or that 90% of his drives are a violation by their standards…there is just nothing like the things he uses to stay in the shape he’s in.

Lebron in whatever state he’s in without modern nutrition, weight training, and comforts would literally be a whole different player. If he didn’t think so he wouldn’t be so proactive using everything at his disposal to maintain.

[1987_Lakers]

Yeah but he isn't guarding that guy.

He's guarding these guys:

https://i.ibb.co/7C5wpjt/images-1.jpg (https://ibb.co/r0SCpF2)

And I don't like your guy's chances cuz he could barely guard the offensively challenged Dwight Howard.
He's guarding these guys

Kareem didn't play in the 60's. Russell is only like an inch taller than LeBron. Yes, Bron would be undersized, but considering how fast the pace was back then which resulted in a bunch of shot attempts and LeBron's huge edge athleticism over players (especially in the 60's), it does make you wonder. Most shot attempts back then were very close to the rim as well.

[iamgine]

The way games were played back then, it was quite easy to get blocks as long as you're athletic and has a bit of fundamental. You just stay near the rim, and any guys driving could easily get swatted. I believe it when people say Wilt and Russ got 10+ blocks a game. That's only 2-3 blocks per quarter where unathletic scrubs would drive to the basket.

Look at this, in the finals. Look how easy getting 2 blocks per quarter is:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da6VSrXi50g

[eliteballer]

https://c.tenor.com/H0foamBzrn4AAAAC/bob-cousy-crossover.gif

I like LeBron's chances.


"2011 NBA Finals: When 6 foot 8 LeBron James was too afraid to post up 5 foot 7 JJ Barea." -

https://twitter.com/theundefeated/status/745717933561745408?lang=en

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CllRe7KWEAAihOU.jpg

[1987_Lakers]

The way games were played back then, it was quite easy to get blocks as long as you're athletic and has a bit of fundamental. You just stay near the rim, and any guys driving could easily get swatted. I believe it when people say Wilt and Russ got 10+ blocks a game. That's only 2-3 blocks per quarter where unathletic scrubs would drive to the basket.

Look at this, in the finals. Look how easy getting 2 blocks per quarter is:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da6VSrXi50g

That is one ugly hook shot by Tommy Heinsohn, lol. I always wondered how CBS let this guy call 4 NBA Finals with Dick Stockton, his commentating skills weren't that great.

[eliteballer]

I’m also pretty sure he’d have water not Gatorade, play in shoes made of construction paper, ride trains, sleep on the bus in cities that didn’t let blacks have hotel rooms, and have nothing to spend his million a year in body care on other than snake oil “vitamins”.

Lebron in 1962 would be unrecognizable. A great athletic prospect by genetics but who knows what else. Those guys did not live a life modern athletes are used to.

Say it...you know you want to.

[Baller789]

Kareem didn't play in the 60's. Russell is only like an inch taller than LeBron. Yes, Bron would be undersized, but considering how fast the pace was back then which resulted in a bunch of shot attempts and LeBron's huge edge athleticism over players (especially in the 60's), it does make you wonder. Most shot attempts back then were very close to the rim as well.

1969 is in the 60's, is it not?

[1987_Lakers]

1969 is in the 60's, is it not?

His rookie year was 69-70, which you know is referred to as the '70 season. Shit are we gonna start calling Magic & Bird 70's players as well?

:oldlol:

[Kblaze8855]

Well yea if we’re talking blocks he’d get a lot because they didn’t give a shit. They didn’t care about shooting numbers or being embarrassed. They would keep coming at you. That lasted a long time. I watched clips from game Manute Bol had 15 blocks and you wanna yell “Hes got a 10 foot wingspan….stop shooting right under the rim!”.

That plus a lot of this:


https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SleepyQueasyDarklingbeetle-size_restricted.gif


Russell would track down guys on the break all the time. Lebron obviously specialized there. If he managed to deal with the larger issues of the time, adjust to being a lot slimmer, last without his personalized health care, and not get benched for flashy play or turnovers because all his modern dribble moves are travels by their standards?

He’d block shots.

[Kblaze8855]

His rookie year was 69-70, which you know if referred to as the '70 season. Shit are we gonna start calling Magic & Bird 70's players as well?

:oldlol:

Bird was a 23-24 year old rookie and was drafted in 1978 so….maybe.

[eliteballer]

Is anyone trying to tell me the aging 2011 Mavs or Curry Warriors had some great physical personnel?

Guys like 38 year old Kidd post acl or whatevr he tore and 6-7 Draymond holding down the D.

[Baller789]

LeBron will be.

And we are talking about being fatigued here. That is a cardio issue.


Lebron and?

I'm still waiting...

[Baller789]

His rookie year was 69-70, which you know if referred to as the '70 season. Shit are we gonna start calling Magic & Bird 70's players as well?

:oldlol:

If Lebron played in the 60's...
I'm pretty sure he'll bump into a rookie Lew Alcindor.

[1987_Lakers]

I'm still waiting...

Waiting for what? I already told you we were talking about cardio issues.

[1987_Lakers]

If Lebron played in the 60's...
I'm pretty sure he'll bump into a rookie Lew Alcindor.

Did you not see the title of my OP? I strictly said 60's.

[Baller789]

But this isn't a marathon is it?
How many NBA all stars are 37 years old or older?


LeBron will be.

And we are talking about being fatigued here. That is a cardio issue.


Waiting for what? I already told you we were talking about cardio issues.

So you are saying that cardio is the only issue for 37 year olds?

Are you sure?

[1987_Lakers]

The way games were played back then, it was quite easy to get blocks as long as you're athletic and has a bit of fundamental. You just stay near the rim, and any guys driving could easily get swatted. I believe it when people say Wilt and Russ got 10+ blocks a game. That's only 2-3 blocks per quarter where unathletic scrubs would drive to the basket.

Look at this, in the finals. Look how easy getting 2 blocks per quarter is:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=da6VSrXi50g

That shot by Havlicek at 26:45 is insane. :oldlol:

[coastalmarker99]

That shot by Havlicek at 26:45 is insane. :oldlol:

Those Celtic teams were stacked.

Also in this game

Wilt shot 12/23 (52%)

The rest of the Warriors team


Shot 20/72 (27.7%

What I take away from this footage is that Boston is clearly the better team.

And I see why Chamberlain couldn't beat them he was basically all alone as the rest of the team around him was awful.

They took bad shot after bad shot, and a lot of the time weren't even looking to get Wilt the ball.

[La Frescobaldi]

6’9” 250… similar size to the forwards of that time, like Luke Jackson, Jim Barnes, Chet Walker, Paul Silas etc. You’d realistically drop 20 to 30 lbs from his list weight though, because they wanted greyhounds on the court in those days. Weightlifting was still primitive. He’d be blocking shots all over the place.

He could have played the C absolutely. Put him on the ‘66 - ‘69 Royals in place of Conrad Dierking and I like Cincinnati chances at championships every season. But most teams he’d still be a 3/4 F, still a triple double monster, and still that dominating force that he was in the 2000s.
Of course.

[Spurs m8]

Hard to say, they didn't have the PEDs that they have these days.

He'd probably have more hair though

[FultzNationRISE]

Hard to say, they didn't have the PEDs that they have these days.

He'd probably have more hair though


I’m gonna give you two choices:

You can delete that comment NOW.

Or I can show you these fists.

Which is it?

[coastalmarker99]

6’9” 250… similar size to the forwards of that time, like Luke Jackson, Jim Barnes, Chet Walker, Paul Silas etc. You’d realistically drop 20 to 30 lbs from his list weight though, because they wanted greyhounds on the court in those days. Weightlifting was still primitive. He’d be blocking shots all over the place.

He could have played the C absolutely. Put him on the ‘66 - ‘69 Royals in place of Conrad Dierking and I like Cincinnati chances at championships every season. But most teams he’d still be a 3/4 F, still a triple double monster, and still that dominating force that he was in the 2000s.
Of course.


Peak Wilt would have destroyed Lebron in those three years you are talking about if he played center against him.

[Thenameless]

I know people in their 40's who run 5 miles a day, sure endurance takes a slight decline after our 20's, but 37 is still very young (Kareem's age in that pic). How many people in their 40's complete marathons? I'm guessing alot.

You know many 7'2" 37 year olds that can keep up with prime athletes in their 20's? This isn't running marathons "at your own pace". It is competing at the highest level of a professional sport. Apples and oranges.

[Spurs m8]

I’m gonna give you two choices:

You can delete that comment NOW.

Or I can show you these fists.

Which is it?

Show me your vag

[Baller789]

Hard to say, they didn't have the PEDs that they have these days.

He'd probably have more hair though


I’m gonna give you two choices:

You can delete that comment NOW.

Or I can show you these fists.

Which is it?

They had PEDs, though not as good as the ones he's taking right now.

Wilt would destroy him. 100 pts. Easy.

[L.Kizzle]

LeBron would be similar to another Akron Ohio native, Hall of Famer Gus Johnson.