Which underrated 80's players would be dominant today?

[Xiao Yao You]

Not exactly underrated, but I think James Worthy would rule today.

He was/is overrated.

Mark Eaton would lead the league in blocks.

He probably wouldn't even be in the league. Probably be the car mechanic he was when UCLA found him to sit at the end of their bench.

Bigger isn't necessarily better like it was during his day. Probably would have never played for anyone other than the Jazz anyway.

They played 4 on 5 on offense with him standing near half court so he could get back on D because he was so slow. He was pretty clueless. Only thing he had going for him was size.

It's no coincidence that the Jazz's best days were after he was forced into retirement. They struggled initially on D as they adjusted from having him guarding the rim but were eventually a better defensive team without him.

I'll go with Darrell Griffith. He was on the verge of being an all-star before breaking his foot while holding out which the Jazz(as they often did) never got over it and he lost his starting job to the 3rd string scrub Bobby Hansen and never got it back. First guy with the green light from 3 as he broke the record twice with 90 and 91 3's which is nothing today.

[Rasheed1]

[Xiao Yao You]

Um, change of teams played a huge role in it. Utah with Malone and Stockton to being the "best player" on the Charlotte Hornets.

Had more to do with the coach in Utah. He was stuck on the bench with Stockton. I didn't think much of him when they gave Dantley away to get him. I thought he was just a gunner but he was actually a pretty good player who could have helped the Jazz a lot more than he did if they'd played him.

[elementally morale]

He was/is overrated.

If anything, Worthy was underrated a little bit, but not criminally underrated. I think it is not really the point of the thread though. We are in search of 80s players who would be great today, and I think Worthy is a fine example. What he did back then would work very well today.

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

Had more to do with the coach in Utah. He was stuck on the bench with Stockton. I didn't think much of him when they gave Dantley away to get him. I thought he was just a gunner but he was actually a pretty good player who could have helped the Jazz a lot more than he did if they'd played him.

I was hinting at that with the Stockton/Malone. Not that it was a bad choice but Sloan used it and everyone else was kind of an afterthought in the offense.

[Xiao Yao You]

If anything, Worthy was underrated a little bit, but not criminally underrated. I think it is not really the point of the thread though. We are in search of 80s players who would be great today, and I think Worthy is a fine example. What he did back then would work very well today.

He was perennial all-star starter and a HOFer. Don't see how he was ever underrated. What he did well was run the floor. He was lucky enough to play with Magic during the run and gun 80's. I never thought he was a whole lot better than Byron Scott personally and Scott was never an all-star nor a HOFer.

I was hinting at that with the Stockton/Malone. Not that it was a bad choice but Sloan used it and everyone else was kind of an afterthought in the offense.

Sloan was just an assistant. Layden was the clueless one at that time but yes Sloan relied to heavily on Stockton and Malone and it hurt them when Karl didn't show up in the finals and no one else was prepared to step up because they'd never had the opportunity.

[Locked_Up_Tonight]

You know I totally forgot about Layden. That is sad. For some reason I thought Sloan took over in the late 80's. I didn't realize it was 89 though.

[Rasheed1]

Sidney Moncrief



Kiki Vandeweghe

[Xiao Yao You]

You know I totally forgot about Layden. That is sad. For some reason I thought Sloan took over in the late 80's. I didn't realize it was 89 though.

I wish I could forget about Frank.

[Kovach]

Isn't it the way this thread works? Name a borderline all-star and say how he would dominate this pitiful league now?

Wrong choice of the word, way too hyperbolic.

[elementally morale]

Joe Dumars would be DPOY in 2012-2013.

[Kovach]

What about Terry Cummings? Only 2 time all-star, about 22ppg with less than 19fga. Had an extremely accurate fadeaway jumper that nobody could block.

[Kovach]

Walter Davis

When that guy got hot it was mesmerizing to watch. Had the most beautiful jumper I've ever seen.

[elementally morale]

Chris Mullin and Dale Ellis would have a field day. And Rik Smits, as limited as he was would be a max player.

[Rasheed1]

Adrian Dantley