Why are NBA players so inferior to those of the past

sp6r=underrated · Post #1 » by **sp6r=underrated** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:20 pm

I have recently been educated that Brad Daugherty could have been as good as Duncan if he played today.

If that's true your not talking about expansion causing a decline in team play. Because if a player who wasn't even top 50 all time could arguably be the greatest player of the last 11 years (which Duncan potentially is), you must believe there has been a massive talent drain from the NBA.

Where did all the great players go? What sport has gotten the influx of players that would have been in the NBA years ago? Did they all die?

Basileus777 · Post #2 » by **Basileus777** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:26 pm

Nostalgia can make people say funny things.

KNICKS1970 · Post #3 » by **KNICKS1970** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:37 pm

Anyone who says that the great stars of today are inferior to those in the past are too busy living in the past, just like people who say the great players of the past would be chumps today are disrespecting current greats. For the most part, a great player would be great in ANY era.

The standard for greatest players ever, and should, be set extremely high. But when you're talking about Top 10-20, guys like Kobe, Duncan, Shaq, Garnett all belong in the conversation.

Patterns · Post #4 » by **Patterns** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:53 pm

Lol. This thread is a joke. As basketball gets more and more popular, which it did, the talent pool gets better and better. Today's players are better.

You're just having Nostalgia.

Post #5 » by **penbeast0** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:01 pm

sp6r=underrated wrote:I have recently been educated that Brad Daugherty could have been as good as Duncan if he played today.

If that's true your not talking about expansion causing a decline in team play. Because if a player who wasn't even top 50 all time could arguably be the greatest player of the last 11 years (which Duncan potentially is), you must believe there has been a massive talent drain from the NBA.

Where did all the great players go? What sport has gotten the influx of players that would have been in the NBA years ago? Did they all die?

Anyone who told you that is ignoring (a) defense, (b) pace, and (c) intangibles -- in this case championships. Probably fair to say he would have been as good as Big Z though!

sp6r=underrated · Post #6 » by **sp6r=underrated** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:04 pm

Patterns wrote:Lol. This thread is a joke. As basketball gets more and more popular, which it did, the talent pool gets better and better. Today's players are better.

You're just having Nostalgia.

Well I don't think today's players are better than those from the past. But read the Brad Daugherty thread and you'll see where I coming from.

kooldude · Post #7 » by **kooldude** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:41 pm

does that mean in 20 years, I can be a baller!?!?

(yes, I know this thread is a joke)

Kobay · Post #8 » by **Kobay** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:47 pm

Ya im waiting on my 20 million a year contract from Orlando.

WadeKnicks2010 · Post #9 » by **WadeKnicks2010** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:56 pm

This thread is a joke.

ronnymac2 · Post #10 » by **ronnymac2** » Tue May 20, 2008 10:17 pm

lol Today's player are no better and no worse than in the past. Evolution doesn't care about basketball, and even if it did, it certainly wouldn't have worked its magic in 50 years.

goat:manu · Post #11 » by **goat:manu** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:04 pm

KNICKS1970 wrote:Anyone who says that the great stars of today are inferior to those in the past are too busy living in the past, just like people who say the great players of the past would be chumps today are disrespecting current greats. For the most part, a great player would be great in ANY era.

The standard for greatest players ever, and should, be set extremely high. But when you're talking about Top 10-20, guys like Kobe, Duncan, Shaq, Garnett all belong in the conversation.

goat:manu · Post #12 » by **goat:manu** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:10 pm

the first dream team was in 60's when NBA is the best league in BBALL, and NBA dominated the bball, and after that, NBA declined, but in 90's there is the raise of the NBA, then came the second dream team. and now it's true the NBA is declining since 2000, especially most people argue that duncan is the top 15, and KG and kobe top 20 of all time??? come on, they just don't know how good were the legend players.

i'm waiting for the 3rd dream team, hope my dream can become true.

chrice · Post #13 » by **chrice** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:33 pm

1) Driven by money instead of their love of the sport
2) Rely on Athleticism too much, ignore fundamentals

Derekman · Post #14 » by **Derekman** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:44 pm

Some people are ignorant and living in the past. Players today have more tricks, more physical gifts, more creativity while still having good solid fundamentals. There's a difference between being better than someone and being greater.

Most would agree that Jerry West is greater than T-Mac and thus, would be higher up on the list of the 50 greatest of all-time. But there is no way that West is better than a prime T-Mac. There's no way West would average over 30 ppg in this league without being athletic enough to finish strong at the rim.

Post #15 » by **Rerisen** » Tue May 20, 2008 11:53 pm

Daugherty is no Duncan, regardless of working hard. But I wouldn't go beyond that example and use it to try and build a strawman about the general talent level of today vs past eras.

You have to remember most players that are considered all time greats, and I'm talking Top 10 all time, are considered so based upon a whole career of accomplishments as well as the perspective that time passing has brought to what they meant to the game.

It's hard for current players to be judged in that company simply because they are still works in progress.

Cybulski37 · Post #16 » by **Cybulski37** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:45 am

How can NBA players be so inferior now? WE HAVE MANU!!!!!! CASE CLOSED

Lazy Faizy · Post #17 » by **Lazy Faizy** » Wed May 21, 2008 6:06 am

goat:manu wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Wtf are you laughing at? You think Manu is the greatest thing since sliced bread. GTFO you dumbass.

big123 · Post #18 » by **big123** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:39 pm

Cybulski37 wrote:How can NBA players be so inferior now? WE HAVE MANU!!!!!! CASE CLOSED

That's exactly why the NBA has gone to **** in the states, too many international players. The NBA has become too global.

goat:manu · Post #19 » by **goat:manu** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:19 pm

Da Next Tmac wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

Wtf are you laughing at? You think Manu is the greatest thing since sliced bread. GTFO you dumbass.

did i laugh at you? you mf, GTFO you dumbass, seriously, how old are you? tell your mom to teach u some respects... learn how to live together, if you don't like sb, you just leave him alone, learn how to live together in a community moron... honestly, maybe i'm not the most intelligent person, but at least i never insult others except self-defense, moron...

netsforever · Post #20 » by **netsforever** » Wed May 21, 2008 3:30 pm

The NBA is probably more talented today than it was 10-20 years ago, simply because of the advancements made in weight training and rehabilitation. A guy like Daugherty who saw his career cut short by injuries might have been able to come back today.

To say that he's as good as Duncan, however, is just (Please Use More Appropriate Word).

As far as I'm concerned - Duncan is one of the all-time greats, probably the best power forward in the history of the game. The best player on 4 championship teams, an MVP award winner, a yearly all-D candidate... Daugherty was a pretty one-dimensional scorer.