How good would LeBron & Durant be in the mid 90's

[Joyner82reload]

Just curious where they would rank in the hand check era. Also the 3 point line was shortened from 23' 9 inches to 22 feet in the mid 90's so god knows what Durant would be shooting from 3.

[russwest0]

Durant has better ball handling, footwork, shooting, etc... The gap would be even bigger than it is today with Durant being better. You mentioned the shortened 3pt line, that is just one way Durant benefits. Durant would be a tougher cover in the 90s in general. LeBrons patened off arm he uses on every drive to the basket wouldn't help him in the 90s nearly as much as it does today.

This question is a good way to distinguish the knowledgeable basketball fans and the casuals.

[Micku]

Durant would abuse the shorten 3pt line, but him and LeBron may have a tougher time scoring in the paint. Teams back then didn't play good spacing and they didn't have the defensive 3 second rule.

I think LeBron is built like a tank, so I'm sure he'll be ok. He has nice touch around the basket, but he'll get fouled harder. Especially he played against the Knicks with Ewing and Oakley down there camping for him. It'll probably get to him mentally more than physically.

I don't know about Durant. But he has a nice shooting touch, good ball handling skills, and good off the ball movement. Like I said, he'll abuse the nba with the shorten 3pt line. I think both LBJ and Durant would probably average roughly the same stats tho, assuming if they have the same teams. They would adjust. No way of knowing however. Just a guess.

[Joyner82reload]

Who the hell would even be able to guard Durant in the mid 90's? Not that anyone can guard him now, because they can't, but it would be even worse. Pippen and Hill are the only one's with a prayer at contesting his shot, and even they were both a good 3 inches shorter than Durant. Just imagine the Rice, Mullins, Larry Johnson, and Mashburn attempting to guard him

[oarabbus]

Who the hell would even be able to guard Durant in the mid 90's? Not that anyone can guard him now, because they can't, but it would be even worse. Pippen and Hill are the only one's with a prayer at contesting his shot, and even they were both a good 3 inches shorter than Durant. Just imagine the Rice, Mullins, Larry Johnson, and Mashburn attempting to guard him

Pippen guarding Durant doesn't end well for the Bulls

[Reggie43]

Who the hell would even be able to guard Durant in the mid 90's? Not that anyone can guard him now, because they can't, but it would be even worse. Pippen and Hill are the only one's with a prayer at contesting his shot, and even they were both a good 3 inches shorter than Durant. Just imagine the Rice, Mullins, Larry Johnson, and Mashburn attempting to guard him

Pippen, young Rodman, Jordan, Derrick Mckey, Cliff Robinson to name a few would probably do a better job defending him as compared to todays so called "defenders". Mckey and Robinson who are both 6"10' could probably contest his shot better than anyone we have in todays nba

[Sharmer]

Much harder back then.

[Trollsmasher]

Since we can expect Durant's FTAs per game to decrease by about 80%

22/7/4 guy on mediocre percentages

LeBron would be the same, but much more of a beast on the defensive side of the ball.

[cos88]

after durant scoring spree this forum is becoming unreadable

[Angel Face]

Durant could abuse the shortened 3 point line 95 - 96, 96 - 97 seasons but would get killed in the paint. Hand checking will limit his mobility but it will be hard for defenders to guard him due to his length. Will be a good scorer.

Lebron would still flop tho.

[hitmanyr2k]

More respect was given to defenders in the 90s so Durant can kiss his bullshit rip-thru move goodbye.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXYxwBpXEvw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8LkHZS1fWU

He's most definitely going to get crowded and ball-denied on the perimeter Tony Allen style.

[Marlo_Stanfield]

Damn cant even begin to explain how they would shit on the league. LEBron would be the clear cut Nr.1 as no zones were played and he would be allowed to play physical on defense. he would just dunk on everybody and with his great 3 pter he would shoot 58 % from shortened line
Durant would be very good too and maybe slightly better than Jordan. as mutch as his FTA would go down and he would have no chance being anywhere close to Bron he would still be slightly better than Jordan imo because of shortened 3 pt line and short defenders on the perimeter aswell as no zone defenses. imagine Lebron and Durant being guarded by 6`2 guards
1a:LeBron
1b:Shaq
2a: Durant
2b:MJ

[hitmanyr2k]

Damn cant even begin to explain how they would shit on the league. LEBron would be the clear cut Nr.1 as no zones were played and he would be allowed to play physical on defense. he would just dunk on everybody and with his great 3 pter he would shoot 58 % from shortened line
Durant would be very good too and maybe slightly better than Jordan. as mutch as his FTA would go down and he would have no chance being anywhere close to Bron he would still be slightly better than Jordan imo because of shortened 3 pt line and short defenders on the perimeter aswell as no zone defenses. imagine Lebron and Durant being guarded by 6`2 guards
1a:LeBron
1b:Shaq
2a: Durant
2b:MJ

Lebron is intimidated by a bum like Roy Hibbert for Chrissake He isn't dunking anything unless he has a fast break.

[Joyner82reload]

Lebron is intimidated by a bum like Roy Hibbert for Chrissake He isn't dunking anything unless he has a fast break.

Durant's not scared of Hibbert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsjBV9kO2ls

[ralph_i_el]

the couple seasons where the 3 point line was short Durant would shoot like 700 3's and shoot ~45%

LeBron would be about the same.