Kevin Johnson in today's PG game

[PP34Deuce]

We often think of players from the past who could play even better today. One name i never see is Kevin Johnson.

The guy was like the first new era /Rose/Morant who was faster than everyone and explosive as hell. With dominant big men, he still was yamming on Hakeem and other elite bigs.

He could score on all 3 levels. He could also distribute and give you 10 assists a game.

How do you think he would do as the man in today's game?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjcWiHL-Ldo

[3ba11]

With big men shooting threes in today's game, the lane is empty which makes it easier for ball-handlers.. plus the no-hand-checking and no-impede rules would make KJ equal to Lillard, Kyrie or any of today's top PG's

People forget how dominant KJ was but he dominated Magic and Hakeem in the playoffs - he literally reached that top level of perimeter domination that we look for and enjoy.. He was routinely winning 55 and making WCF before Barkley arrived.

[Round Mound]

He would be great. He was a slashing like PG similar to Zeke.

[SouBeachTalents]

With big men shooting threes in today's game, the lane is empty which makes it easier for ball-handlers.. plus the no-hand-checking and no-impede rules would make KJ equal to Lillard, Kyrie or any of today's top PG's

People forget how dominant KJ was but he dominated Magic and Hakeem in the playoffs - he literally reached that top level of perimeter domination that we look for and enjoy.. He was routinely winning 55 and making WCF before Barkley arrived.
Pippen outplayed him h2h in the Finals

[L.Kizzle]

KJ had a six year peak where he made FIVE All -NBA Teams (four of them being 2nd teams.)

[Real Men Wear Green]

Not totally sure. In most areas he would still be elite but he didn't have the modern guard's three. Not that he was a horrible shooter but like a lot of guys before the current era for him the three was not a focus or was something he would only do if forced to. I do believe he would have shot it better if he came up in the modern era but the known fact is that he didn't.

[L.Kizzle]

Not totally sure. In most areas he would still be elite but he didn't have the modern guard's three. Not that he was a horrible shooter but like a lot of guys before the current era for him the three was not a focus or was something he would only do if forced to. I do believe he would have shot it better if he came up in the modern era but the known fact is that he didn't.
Westbrook not that good at 3's and has multiple 30 point seasons and a MVP.

[3ba11]

Pippen outplayed him h2h in the Finals


KJ was hurt and everyone knew that

If he was his normal self that dominated Magic and Hakeem, the Bulls would've lost because that version of KJ was comparable to Curry and the Suns still had Barkley, Majerle, Dumas, etc.. Although I suppose MJ could've averaged 51 instead of 41 since Pippen and Horace were maxed out

Btw, the 91' Finals is similar because Worthy was banged up and not the all-time dominant that he was from 85-90'

[SouBeachTalents]

KJ was hurt and everyone knew that

If he was his normal self that dominated Magic and Hakeem, the Bulls would've lost because that version of KJ was comparable to Curry and the Suns still had Barkley, Majerle, Dumas, etc.. Although I suppose MJ could've averaged 51 instead of 41 since Pippen and Horace were maxed out

Btw, the 91' Finals is similar because Worthy was banged up and not the all-time dominant that he was from 85-90'
So on top of playing in a watered down expansion era, Jordan was doing nothing but facing teams with banged up star players? Those are some weak ass rings.

[ShawkFactory]

So on top of playing in a watered down expansion era, Jordan was doing nothing but facing teams with banged up star players? Those are some weak ass rings.

He'd rather concede that the Bulls were playing injured teams than give Pippen any sort of credit :lol

[expansionera]

KJ was hurt and everyone knew that

If he was his normal self that dominated Magic and Hakeem, the Bulls would've lost because that version of KJ was comparable to Curry and the Suns still had Barkley, Majerle, Dumas, etc.. Although I suppose MJ could've averaged 51 instead of 41 since Pippen and Horace were maxed out

Btw, the 91' Finals is similar because Worthy was banged up and not the all-time dominant that he was from 85-90'

Did Jordan play any healthy competition?

[3ba11]

So on top of playing in a watered down expansion era, Jordan was doing nothing but facing teams with banged up star players? Those are some weak ass rings.


Lebron's best ring involved an injured opponent and lucky suspension, while his sidekick was equal-scoring partner - think about that - Lebron's best ring had an EQUAL-SCORING PARTNER to attract equal defensive attention and close the series.. How does that compare to Jordan carrying the scoring load and therefore facing maximum defensive attention/burden in every series of his career?..

Lebron and Kyrie both average 28 for their Finals career on 47% (zero gap), while MJ and Pippen have a 15 point gap (34 to 19 and big efficiency gap)

[Round Mound]

Wasn't the thread about KJ? :facepalm 3-ball we all know MJ is the best player ever (atleast perimeter player).:confusedshrug:

[La Frescobaldi]

Pippen outplayed him h2h in the Finals

That is perfectly true but then it’s true of a lot of guys who still excelled and besides that who is out there today that can go like Pippen? A lot of guys modeled their game on him but nobody has done it better than he did. Rodman is correct on that
So bottom line yeah Kevin Johnson would do great

[HoopsNY]

KJ was hurt and everyone knew that

If he was his normal self that dominated Magic and Hakeem, the Bulls would've lost because that version of KJ was comparable to Curry and the Suns still had Barkley, Majerle, Dumas, etc.. Although I suppose MJ could've averaged 51 instead of 41 since Pippen and Horace were maxed out

Btw, the 91' Finals is similar because Worthy was banged up and not the all-time dominant that he was from 85-90'

KJ was hurt but Pippen wasn't? Pippen had a bad ankle which didn't recover because he played on the dream team in 1992 instead of resting it during the summer. It's one of the reasons the Bulls underachieved during the regular season and saw a decline in Pippen's numbers.

[ClipperRevival]

KJ was a bad man. People forget his Suns took out Magic's Lakers in 1990 and put up these stats in that series.

22.0 PPG, 11.2 APG, 5.6 RPG, 2.8 SPG

He had one of the best first steps ever and could get to the rack with ease. He had a relatively short prime but he was amazing while it lasted.

[ClipperRevival]

Remember, KJ is 6'1"


https://youtu.be/ankHdxQIRb4

[getting_old]

KJ was hurt but Pippen wasn't? Pippen had a bad ankle which didn't recover because he played on the dream team in 1992 instead of resting it during the summer. It's one of the reasons the Bulls underachieved during the regular season and saw a decline in Pippen's numbers.


Only time i bothered to tune in to see KJ play i wound up watching Frankie Johnson instead...

bummer

[ClipperRevival]

As for the question, of course KJ would have more success today for obvious reasons. KJ played in an era where the paint was packed, the floor wasn't spaced properly, hand checking was allowed and you could really foul guys. And he still got to the rack with ease. Imagine his cat quick first step today? LOL.

[FilmyCogTurner]

I think KJ would have a Dame level impact but play style would be more Kyrie without the crazy crazy handles obviously.


Remember, KJ is 6'1"


https://youtu.be/ankHdxQIRb4

Very smart body control on the Hakeem dunk. Lead with his shoulders first, totally eliminated the chance of getting blocked and flushed it.

[tpols]

Pippen outplayed him h2h in the Finals

Small sample size. Pippen never had series outplaying MVP talents like Magic. Not even a single series in his whole career.

[Johnny32]

pretty much john wall but shorter and a worse defender.