Rockets that would be better/worse now than in their era

Magic Johnson probably wishes he could have played in the current era. If you even lay a fingernail on a guard its an instant foul.

As far as Rockets go, I think Hakeem would have been great in this era because of his mobility. He would have expanded his range and would probably lead the league in FT attempts.

 

Bullard wants to be inside this era

 

Just imagine Akeem at 23 in this offense versus Capela.

People forget how Phi Slama Jama got its name, and forget how fast Akeem was on the fast break. And less you also forget, at age 23 Akeem made it to the NBA Finals anyhow, crushing the Magic/Kareem Lakers in four straight games scoring ~35 ppg.

Akeem on the run in a 7 seconds or Less with Paul and Harden would be sick.

Imagine a faster Gobert with better defense and HOF offense...Phi Slama Jama slamming and face up game, spin moves against defenses who can't pack the Paint.

 

T-Mac was amazing back then and would be even more amazing now.

 

Mad Max would be more valuable now than he was even in his heyday.

His defense was spectacular, and he could have really refined his 3-pt shot for this era.

 

Robert Horry, stretch 4 god.

 

Max would not like this era too much because you can't play physical defense on the perimeter anymore.

 

Smart basketball guy, though. He would adjust after like 1 or 2 games max. He was so fundamentally sound at D that he would still be spectacular. Seriously.

 

Rudy T might actually be better PF.

 

Well, Max is on record for saying he would like to play in the current era and I don't doubt his willpower because he has the heart of a champion. Hand checking is not allowed anymore and perimeter players get coddled too much under the current rules which makes playing defense a bit harder. But I still believe in Max because he had heart and passion for the game.

 

Calvin is a guy that would translate huge.

 

Rudy T as a stretch 4? Jumper was MONEY.

(Sorry, should reference Heypartner's post above.)

 

And, of course I agree with Duder on Magic.

How about MJ today?

 

As for worse, Francis would be worse. He thrived on the illegal defense clear outs.

Dwight pretty much admits that he's worse in this era, with all his excuses and finger pointing.

A young Barkley was a wrecking ball in the fast break, too. With the 76ers and in the Olympics we saw what he did in a pace game. Him running with Paul and Harden would make opponents sit down many stretch 4s. It would be very hard to keep a stretch 4 on the floor against him. He could also pass every bit as well as Draymond, equal to better dribbler, equally smart player, so he could play perimeter games for passing, driving and cutting. Would you play him in a death lineup at the 5, lulz

 

No kidding, him growing up with a 3-point line, there's no telling what he'd shoot from there. Add that to the rest of his game....

 

If Patrick Beverley can make ESPNs top 50 then so could Allen Leavell.

 

Give me Jon Barry's franchise record 43.6% 3-point shooting and 94.1% on free throws next to Harden and Paul, and we beat Warriors at the own game.

 

If Magic played today, he may play under Lebron's shadow. Lebron is like a stronger version of Magic

 

Shane Battier was at the very beginning of the era of the "3&D" guys getting appreciated and well-paid. He had a good career, including titles and an NYT article, but would probably receive more recognition and pay if he entered the league in 2014.

Yao Ming would be a curious case. What would he be in a era when more and more teams are playing like D'Antoni's Suns and more and more centers shoot 3s like Mehmet Okur? I suppose that any team with Yao Ming would have to be ready for a playoff series in which he can't play more than 20-25 mpg and would need a viable alternative (like Chuck Hayes).

I don't think he'd be totally obsolete since some other skilled but slow bigs (Brook Lopez, Marc Gasol, Pau Gasol at his age) are still useful in this league. Yao Ming would probably be a 3 point shooter in today's NBA.