Where would Peak Kareem rank in today’s NBA?

[70sFan]

Don’t think Okafor was ever that good anyways, never tracked what happened to Love after Lebron left.

Okafor was unfortunate in that it happened right before he got into the NBA. If he'd been drafted in 1980 he would have had a much more successful career.

If anything he'd be worse breaking his leg without the benefits of 40 years of medical advantages.

Even healthy 80s Okafor would be like... Steve Johnson, at most?

I don't like to be harsh on Okafor, because he was a cool funky player, but yeah there is no era in which Okafor would make a relevant NBA career.

[One_and_Done]

Whether you think Rondo was an all-nba player in his prime or not, he'd clearly be far more valuable in 08 compared to today, which is the actual point.

Why don't you use the same logic for Duncan? Duncan's strengths were certainly more valuable before pace and space era.

Duncan was valuable when he played, and would be valuable today. Certain advantages would be slightly reduced, while others would be enhanced. The role Duncan fills remains a valuable one. In contrast, the role of point guard who can't hit 3s is basically a bench warmer today.

[70sFan]

Whether you think Rondo was an all-nba player in his prime or not, he'd clearly be far more valuable in 08 compared to today, which is the actual point.

Why don't you use the same logic for Duncan? Duncan's strengths were certainly more valuable before pace and space era.

Duncan was valuable when he played, and would be valuable today. Certain advantages would be slightly reduced, while others would be enhanced. The role Duncan fills remains a valuable one. In contrast, the role of point guard who can't hit 3s is basically a bench warmer today.

What Duncan skills would be enhanced today?

Why does it only work for players you like?

[One_and_Done]

Why don't you use the same logic for Duncan? Duncan's strengths were certainly more valuable before pace and space era.

Duncan was valuable when he played, and would be valuable today. Certain advantages would be slightly reduced, while others would be enhanced. The role Duncan fills remains a valuable one. In contrast, the role of point guard who can't hit 3s is basically a bench warmer today.

What Duncan skills would be enhanced today?

Why does it only work for players you like?

It works because they had skillsets that translate. It's about me liking the skillset and playstyle. Russell's skillset is not an optimal fit today compared to his era, which most people on here have told you (and which is why KG is leading the poll).

[70sFan]

Duncan was valuable when he played, and would be valuable today. Certain advantages would be slightly reduced, while others would be enhanced. The role Duncan fills remains a valuable one. In contrast, the role of point guard who can't hit 3s is basically a bench warmer today.

What Duncan skills would be enhanced today?

Why does it only work for players you like?

It works because they had skillsets that translate. It's about me liking the skillset and playstyle. Russell's skillset is not an optimal fit today compared to his era, which most people on here have told you (and which is why KG is leading the poll).

Can you answer to my first question in the previous post?

Basically all people here said you that you are wrong about Russell's defensive skillset.

[Whopper_Sr]

Peak Kareem?? That's a GOAT level peak. Best player in the league.

[Hair Jordan]

Best player easily. Giannis averages 30+ and his game is nothing more than prehistoric bully ball. Kareem would absolutely feast in this era devoid of traditional bigs.

[tsherkin]

Best player easily. Giannis averages 30+ and his game is nothing more than prehistoric bully ball. Kareem would absolutely feast in this era devoid of traditional bigs.

This era is NOT devoid of traditional bigs, though. Demonstrably so.

[70sFan]

Best player easily. Giannis averages 30+ and his game is nothing more than prehistoric bully ball. Kareem would absolutely feast in this era devoid of traditional bigs.

This era is NOT devoid of traditional bigs, though. Demonstrably so.

Some people still live in 2014.

[tsherkin]

Some people still live in 2014.

It's very odd. And frustrating. It's been WONDERFUL to see the post renaissance over the last little while. Not everyone is a superstar, of course, but there's a fair amount of quality post play. And two MVPs who are primarily post players. And then Zubac, and Vucevic, tons of guard post (JALEN BRUNSON), some other dudes who do well (DeRozan is getting there, Siakam)... Sengun. Porzingis. KAT. Lebron. AD. Jonas Valanciunas. Bam. Sabonis. Nurkic. I could go on; you know, well enough.

Anyway, Kareem would be amazing. That's not a point to contest. But MAN, the idea that there are no conventional post players in the league is so wrong, it gives me a headache.

[OhayoKD]

Whether you think Rondo was an all-nba player in his prime or not, he'd clearly be far more valuable in 08 compared to today, which is the actual point.

Why don't you use the same logic for Duncan? Duncan's strengths were certainly more valuable before pace and space era.

Duncan was valuable when he played, and would be valuable today. Certain advantages would be slightly reduced, while others would be enhanced. The role Duncan fills remains a valuable one. In contrast, the role of point guard who can't hit 3s is basically a bench warmer today.

Athleticism is a better line of attack here
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Kareem is facing much better competition now. That said, he also was a much bigger outlier than anyone in today's league so it's not inconceivable he ends up as #1 anyway.

[tsherkin]

Kareem is facing much better competition now.

In aggregate, sure. But individually, he wouldn't be facing anything special he hadn't seen before. You still get post isolations. You can still turn baseline and take a shot pretty reliably. He'd still be 7'2 or whatever, with long arms and a high release.

So whilst the league around him would be better overall, the specific level of defenders he'd be facing certainly wouldn't be a lot better than trying to deal with Wilt and Thurmond and Walton and so forth.

[capfan33]

Kareem is facing much better competition now.

In aggregate, sure. But individually, he wouldn't be facing anything special he hadn't seen before. You still get post isolations. You can still turn baseline and take a shot pretty reliably. He'd still be 7'2 or whatever, with long arms and a high release.

So whilst the league around him would be better overall, the specific level of defenders he'd be facing certainly wouldn't be a lot better than trying to deal with Wilt and Thurmond and Walton and so forth.

Yea I think Thurmond and Wilt are still better than any post defender today. But on average today is better. Ofc that doesn’t even get into schemes, help, etc. He’d still be alright though

[tsherkin]

Yea I think Thurmond and Wilt are still better than any post defender today. But on average today is better. Ofc that doesn’t even get into schemes, help, etc. He’d still be alright though

Skills are higher. Taller guys are more athletic and have more perimeter skills, for sure. Strategy is much more advanced. Screen usage alone is a huge axis of advance.

But yeah, post scoring skills still work. Old, old, old post scoring skills still work. And so does height.

Kareem would murder it today.