Could An Old Head Suit Up for 1 Game?

Bolivar · Post #21 » by **Bolivar** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:43 am

A few years ago, I watched a game with NHL "old heads" as in stars of the past decades. They took it seriously enough and it was fun to watch. There were some pretty huge differences in the condition of the guys, which is pretty obvious. Mark Messier was still a beast (about 60 years at the time of the game) and I felt like he could play just fine in some Finnish or Swedish primary league. There were surprises like Esa Tikkanen who looked out of shape but they suddenly found their old skills. There were some 70s stars who looked around 70 years and were having heaps of fun. And there was Gretzky who I felt a bit sorry for as he had trouble just with skating and keeping up with the others.
Anyways, something like that with old NBA stars would be great (or has there been something similar?).

bubonicphoniks · Post #22 » by **bubonicphoniks** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:52 am

I mean you can suit up anyone. Are you asking if they would play at the same speed/cohesion as the current players?

The answer to that would be no. They would stick out like a sore thumb.

But if they can out pants on they could suit up why not.

LakersLegacy · Post #23 » by **LakersLegacy** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 4:53 am

If they are in shape they can. If they are out of shape no no no way

Post #24 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:16 am

The foot speed issue would be the biggest concern, and long term health and ability.

I think if they only have to get through one game, they can do some good things before teams start to really adjust and take advantage of their physical decline

NZB2323 · Post #25 » by **NZB2323** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 5:19 am

What do you mean by survive?

I don’t think they would die.

Post #26 » by **boomershadow** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 9:19 am

NZB2323 wrote:What do you mean by survive?

I don’t think they would die.

As long as they don't get stomped on.

OdomFan · Post #27 » by **OdomFan** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 10:10 am

Bob Ross wrote:
OdomFan wrote:I think it would be more interesting if the Alien shows up in the middle of a live Inside the NBA episode and instantly turns Shaq and Chuck back into their prime selves with the extra terrestrial technology. Then says they're going to do the same thing to every other star that played in the 1990s.

Suddenly MJ, Ewing, Grant Hill, Shaq, Barkley, Miller, Hakeem, Mourning, LJ, Tim Hardaway Sr, Penny and Allen Iverson to name a few are all back in their prime, and they all have to do what this alien tells them to do to save the planet.

Man, Grant Hill and Penny without the injuries..

Yeah, and this Alien could prevent any injuries from happening too. haha.

picko · Post #28 » by **picko** » Sat Apr 22, 2023 2:26 pm

Bolivar wrote:A few years ago, I watched a game with NHL "old heads" as in stars of the past decades. They took it seriously enough and it was fun to watch. There were some pretty huge differences in the condition of the guys, which is pretty obvious. Mark Messier was still a beast (about 60 years at the time of the game) and I felt like he could play just fine in some Finnish or Swedish primary league. There were surprises like Esa Tikkanen who looked out of shape but they suddenly found their old skills. There were some 70s stars who looked around 70 years and were having heaps of fun. And there was Gretzky who I felt a bit sorry for as he had trouble just with skating and keeping up with the others.
Anyways, something like that with old NBA stars would be great (or has there been something similar?).

An NBA Legends Game ran for a decade (1984 to 1993) as part of the All Star Weekend:

https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/legends.html

chrismikayla · Post #29 » by **chrismikayla** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 12:19 pm

Mahmoud Abdul Rauf could at aged 53 no doubt.

Sent from my iPhone using RealGM mobile app

cam24thomas · Post #30 » by **cam24thomas** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 12:23 pm

Some of the players that we've seen score 30 this season aren't even that athletic.

chilluminati · Post #31 » by **chilluminati** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 12:52 pm

In a full up and down game they'd be winded from not keeping up their physical conditioning. Unless they're one of those unicorns that keeps their NBA body after retirement I doubt it. People underestimate how hard it is to go up and down 94 feet in a physical game.

Statlanta · Post #32 » by **Statlanta** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 1:01 pm

It would have to be a historic blowout type game.

Post #33 » by **MoneyTalks41890** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 1:02 pm

The game has always been about buckets

markjay · Post #34 » by **markjay** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 3:56 pm

I'm taking 49-year-old Steve Nash, on the condition that his team plays zone defense. Give Nash a few months to get into shape and he can probably still add value with his shooting and passing.

ChiTownHero1992 · Post #35 » by **ChiTownHero1992** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 4:08 pm

Absolutely there are plenty of guys in good shape and still ball well. Jordan, Malone, Reggie all play often and are in good shape. Jordan beats up on the Hornets players regularly. Besides all you said was play one game, its not like any of them have to be the star. I think arguably numerous guys could do it if you gave them time to train but right here, right now, day of I still think a few could play 20-25 minutes if needed its not like anyone plays defense today anyway

jehosafats · Post #36 » by **jehosafats** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 4:09 pm

Zo still looks like he could help the Heat

hippesthippo · Post #37 » by **hippesthippo** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 4:20 pm

Sure, you'd have to find the right guy though. I bet KG could hold up for 20 minutes if you play him at center. As already mentioned, moving laterally on defense would be the biggest issue.

KGtabake wrote:Dennis Rodman. He would also send the alien home.

The alien would probably let Rodman hitch a ride back to his home planet if it was on the way.

Post #38 » by **Harry Garris** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 4:21 pm

On a competitive team no. They'd be so horrible on defense that a coach trying to win games couldn't justify playing them.

I mean look at what happened to Derrick Rose this year. He just had a small drop off in athleticism from the past couple of years and he's unplayable, even early in the season when the Knicks had depth issues. Derrick Rose is way better on defense than any old head who's been retired for a few years and even he's too much of a liability to put in a competitive game. No, it's not happening.

chrisab123 · Post #39 » by **chrisab123** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 5:36 pm

Iso Joe did last year. Not sure if he played 20 minutes but he did play...

chrisab123 · Post #40 » by **chrisab123** » Sun Apr 23, 2023 5:37 pm

Bolivar wrote:A few years ago, I watched a game with NHL "old heads" as in stars of the past decades. They took it seriously enough and it was fun to watch. There were some pretty huge differences in the condition of the guys, which is pretty obvious. Mark Messier was still a beast (about 60 years at the time of the game) and I felt like he could play just fine in some Finnish or Swedish primary league. There were surprises like Esa Tikkanen who looked out of shape but they suddenly found their old skills. There were some 70s stars who looked around 70 years and were having heaps of fun. And there was Gretzky who I felt a bit sorry for as he had trouble just with skating and keeping up with the others.
Anyways, something like that with old NBA stars would be great (or has there been something similar?).

Jagr still plays for his team in the KHL.

Could An Old Head survive ONE game?