Just for fun: if you could see any player from past eras play in today's NBA, who would you want to see?

[msgkings322]

For me I'd be very curious to see how Larry Bird and Wilt Chamberlain's games translate.

Bird was a very good shooter who surely would be a more prolific 3 point shooter today with how the game is played vs when he did. That plus his tremendous passing ability would make him almost as good today as he was then IMO

Wilt is different, he wouldn't be a stretch 5 today, so maybe his game wouldn't translate as well. But he was a better defender than Bird (yet he would have trouble defending in space in today's game), and a good passer. Also a big part of his dominance was the 'men among boys' thing. I think he'd be a perennial all star today but probably not the legendary dominant force he was.

 

[logic]

For me I'd be very curious to see how Larry Bird and Wilt Chamberlain's games translate.

Bird was a very good shooter who surely would be a more prolific 3 point shooter today with how the game is played vs when he did. That plus his tremendous passing ability would make him almost as good today as he was then IMO

Wilt is different, he wouldn't be a stretch 5 today, so maybe his game wouldn't translate as well. But he was a better defender than Bird (yet he would have trouble defending in space in today's game), and a good passer. Also a big part of his dominance was the 'men among boys' thing. I think he'd be a perennial all star today but probably not the legendary dominant force he was.

I would also love to see Wilt in today’s NBA. He had the size of Shaq with more athleticism than Shaq had even in his youth. I don’t think he would have issues covering big guys in space due to his athleticism, it just wasn’t part of the game back then. And he could still be a force on the inside and unstoppable in the pick and roll.

 

[logic]

I’ve also always wanted to see how a young Arvetis Sabonis would fare in any NBA. He may have revolutionized the center position decades earlier than it happened in the NBA.

 

[msgkings322]

I would also love to see Wilt in today’s NBA. He had the size of Shaq with more athleticism than Shaq had even in his youth. I don’t think he would have issues covering big guys in space due to his athleticism, it just wasn’t part of the game back then. And he could still be a force on the inside and unstoppable in the pick and roll.

Shaq played with significantly more weight actually, Wilt wasn't as big (which is one reason he was more athletic). Shaq played at 325-340 pounds and Wilt was 280-300. They were the same height though (7'1")

 

[msgkings322]

I’ve also always wanted to see how a young Arvetis Sabonis would fare in any NBA. He may have revolutionized the center position decades earlier than it happened in the NBA.

Yeah could easily have been similar to Jokic if he developed a 3 point shot

 

[logic]

Of course I’d also love to see the big O in modern times and what Russel looks like in an NBA with more parity as well.

 

[logic]

Shaq played with significantly more weight actually, Wilt wasn't as big (which is one reason he was more athletic). Shaq played at 325-340 pounds and Wilt was 280-300. They were the same height though (7'1")

Which is why I liked Orlando Shaq better, when he still hustled instead of just bulling over people (rarely called the charge it is).

 

[Janus]

I've seen the big O and Wilt, just impressive to see, Wilt in person, he was approachable in Philly.

I'd like to see Pistol Pete he introduced the style of playmaker. I also would like to see Jerry West. Those 2 in today's environment.
Pete could adapt very well to today since he practically invented it himself. West just just efficient, great skills but West had great talent around him too.

I chose those because they played roughly 50 years ago, which would leave those expectations with more doubt than say the 80-90 players, The game is sooo different today

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Reggie Miller and Bird with the emphasis on 3s and avoiding double teams (or passing out) would've dominated in the current era. Both played in an era where defense was much rougher and used arm bars.

Also gotta throw in AI. With the pansy ass defense the NBA encourages, Allen Iverson might just foul out entire teams with how he played. Refs seem to want to call a foul on every single drive to the hoop these days (which AI did non-stop... hell he drove on Shaq). AI would EASILY have the most fouls drawn in modern NBA..

There's some obvious other answers. Wilt probably. Jordan (even not the best 3) with the floor leadership, passing, and with defensive rules today his mid range would just be unstoppable... it'd be a free 2 points every possession. Hakeem - because he could actually shoot field goals reliably would also fit in fine. He was just too good at everything and with the freebies he'd get with the soft defense in the NBA, it'd make him an easy All Star.

 

[tlance]

Shaq played with significantly more weight actually, Wilt wasn't as big (which is one reason he was more athletic). Shaq played at 325-340 pounds and Wilt was 280-300. They were the same height though (7'1")

Young Shaq was one of the most athletic bigs ever.

He still had that diesel power, but he could move also.

Wasn’t until he intentionally put on extra weight with the Lakers that he lost some of the quickness and agility.

He wasn’t Hakeem or David Robinson as far as being able to move, but he was so powerful to make up for that.

I think if he kept his weight at about where it was when he entered the league, his game could have translated better to today.

 

[msgkings322]

Yp

Young Shaq was one of the most athletic bigs ever.

He still had that diesel power, but he could move also.

Wasn’t until he intentionally put on extra weight with the Lakers that he lost some of the quickness and agility.

He wasn’t Hakeem or David Robinson as far as being able to move, but he was so powerful to make up for that.

I think if he kept his weight at about where it was when he entered the league, his game could have translated better to today.

You are correct, was at 285 his rookie year (and 415 in 2002 LOL):

Shaquille O'Neal weighed around 285 pounds when he entered the NBA in 1992. However, he quickly added weight to deal with the increased number of fouls he faced. O'Neal's weight fluctuated throughout his career, but here's some information about his weight at different points:

• Rookie year: O'Neal weighed around 285 pounds when he started his NBA career with the Orlando Magic. However, he gained weight during his first season, adding 130 pounds.
• First championship: O'Neal weighed 345 pounds during his first championship.
• Second championship: O'Neal weighed 385 pounds during his second championship.
• Third championship: O'Neal weighed 415 pounds during his third championship.
• Miami Heat: O'Neal was traded to the Miami Heat, where he was put on a weight loss program and got down to 325 pounds.

O'Neal is known for being one of the most dominant NBA players in history. He was named the 1993 NBA Rookie of the Year and was the first rookie to be voted an All-Star starter since Michael Jordan in 1985.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

Yah Shaq would translate with weight management. He just bodied too many guys out and didn't whine about fouls like LeFlop does. The guy was just flat out difficult to move around and for his weight he still moved very well. I don't think Shaq would be able to run high 300/low 400 pounds today, but he could run low 300s and still be effective in his prime.

That's why I also mentioned Iverson. Shaq was baffled AI drove on him more than once in games LOL.

 

[trojanfan12]

For me I'd be very curious to see how Larry Bird and Wilt Chamberlain's games translate.

Bird was a very good shooter who surely would be a more prolific 3 point shooter today with how the game is played vs when he did. That plus his tremendous passing ability would make him almost as good today as he was then IMO

Wilt is different, he wouldn't be a stretch 5 today, so maybe his game wouldn't translate as well. But he was a better defender than Bird (yet he would have trouble defending in space in today's game), and a good passer. Also a big part of his dominance was the 'men among boys' thing. I think he'd be a perennial all star today but probably not the legendary dominant force he was.

Agree on Bird.

With Wilt...are we getting the Philly Wilt or the Lakers Wilt? Philly Wilt was a very athletic big and could keep up with today's bigs. I doubt he'd be a stretch 5, but he had the athleticism for a lot of post moves, to run the floor and would have been able to defend the pick and roll, etc.

Lakers Wilt was a defensive menace who owned the paint, was an elite rebounder, shot blocker and could still score when they needed him to. A better scoring, more athletic version of someone like Gobert.

Either version would do fine in todays league, but the Philly version would be better than the Lakers version. Don't think he'd be as dominant...but he'd still be a game changer.

 

[trojanfan12]

Reggie Miller

Would love to see Reggie in today's 3 happy league.

 

[The Q]

wilt, shaq, hakeem

we need good bigs, not these lame sissy crybaby bigs

 

[broncosmitty]

Laimbeer

The OG stretch big.

 

[logic]

Laimbeer

The OG stretch big.

How many games can you be ejected before you are just banned from the league? I guess Draymond is still playing so maybe Laimbeer would have a chance.

 

[thunderc]

Pistol Pete for me, especially in college but it would be fun to see him in today’s NBA too.

 

[trojanfan12]

Pistol Pete for me, especially in college but it would be fun to see him in today’s NBA too.

He'd be like Jason "White Chocolate" Williams.

 

[thunderc]

He'd be like Jason "White Chocolate" Williams.

Na Pete was special.