What era had the greatest superstars??

4) Olajuwon---Barkley---K.Malone---Jordan---Drexler

 

Hakeem, Sir Charles, MJ, and Clyde. That p.o.s. ,Karla, had nothing to do with it.

 

barkely, olajuwon, jordan and drexler played during the majic bird zeke era.

It was really the bird, barkley, jordan, olajuwon, majic era of the late eighties that was the best.

During that period of time, we had Karla, Stockton, Zeke, Wilkens, Drexler, Ewing as backups.

Pretty much the original dream team plus Dream.

 

i agree, That was one era. and rhat was the best one

 

This one wont even be close...

 

In a 7 game series I would put my money on:

Chamberlain---Russell---Baylor---Robertson---West

Between Chamberlain and Russell there would be nothing available in the paint; even for Jordan on his best day.

They didn't track blocked shots back in those days but if they had, I would guess that everyone would still be chasing Wilt and Russell.

Giving Jerry West a chance to hit 3's? Fuhgeddaboutit.

I don't think the younger contingent on the board has a clue how good these guys were in their day.

 

I really dont think Wilt and Russell would get those ridiculous
stats in 90s and today. Check how many rbs, possessions and
scores were and who played in that era you see a vast difference
from today. It's not even funny. That was the primitive stage
of professional basketball.

Let them be history.

 

Nique was not on the original Dream team, either (unfortunately.)

I agree this was the best era for NBA. I don't know if anything will ever compare in my lifetime.

 

Chamberlain---Russell---Baylor---Robertson---West is a very close second behind Olajuwon---Barkley---K.Malone---Jordan---Drexler. If you factor in Jordan being the best player of all-time and Malone being the greatest power forward ever, I have to give the late 80's/early 90's group the edge.

Of course, if you believe that Wilt was the best ever, then the first group is likely the best.

 

It's one of those things that everyone knows but noone wants to be the person who says it. I have NBA-TV. I flip through a lot of those old games from around the 70's for a few seconds before I fall asleep from boredom. I thought the WNBA didn't start until the summer?

Everyone likes to criticize the game today - that guys can't shoot, dont have any fundamentals. Maybe that's true. Maybe guys today can't hit an open set shot like guys in the early days. But if you're going to tell me those guys were even comparable to today's players, I would have to laugh in your face. The players of today have to fight through complex defensive schemes geared to key in on their very weaknesses. Guys of today are vastly more skilled and physically superior to players in the 70's. There is no way players of that era could even compete physically on the same level as today's players given the advancements in weight lifting and nutrition. The difference in skill level is astonishing. Today you see 7 foot Dirk Nowitzki bringing the ball up the court or Allen Iverson yo-yoing it like it's an extension of his palm. The greats of yesteryear seem as if they're playing hot potato with the ball. Sure they made the extra pass, but the skill level isn't even comparable. And I'm not even talking about the AND1 street moves that most of today's guards posess - I'm simply talking about basic fluidity with the basketball. I know guys like Maravich and Cousy were known for their handling but I don't know if they could beat an Allen Iverson of Jason Kidd in a skills competition. Garnett, Jordan, Barkley, and all the stars of the 80's and 90's would destroy the guys of old.

I know I'm going to take a lot of heat for this, but it had to be said. Every time I flip through NBA-TV, I get this urge to make this post.

As for greatest era, without a doubt the 80's. You can't argue with Magic, Michael, and Larry.

 

cabb, you dissappoint me. you do realize that every ballhandler in today's NBA carries the ball? Not to mention walks with the ball as well.

Also if players today are so much better, why can't anyone average more than 14 rebounds a game? There are more missed shots in today's game than ever before.

Fight through complex defensive schemes? How about movement without the ball? It is a lost art (as is the mid-range jump shot) Too much standing around while one guy dribbles and tries to make a fancy (ESPN highlight) move. That gets old after 5 times down the court.

Todays NBA bores the hell out of me. It's playground style. No thought process going on whatsoever. Notice how all of todays players look to the coach to call the play? Todays players may be beter conditioned and better athletes but THEY ARE NOT as smart of players from yesteryear.

Why do you think Bird and Magic were so good? They were throwback players. Fundamentally sound and they knew how to play all aspects of the game.

 

there's no way a guy from the earlier ages of basketball who averaged 15-25 rpg would average the same amount these days (assuming they didn't age or lose any skill) the rules are different, the players are different, the game is different. It was easy to rebound over a 6'4 center when your 7'1 and athletic like Chamberlain was

The mid to late 80s and 90s were great for basketball. it was fun and exciting

Imagine if a guy like Kevin Garnett or Olajuwon played in the 60s

man he would destroy alot of those guys

 

I have said this before. Whenever you compare players from different eras, you have to consider the "progress" factor. It's like asking whether Jesse Owen or Carl Lewis is the better athlete, or whether Babe Ruth or Barry Bonds is the better slugger, or whether Rockerfeller or Gates is the wealthier. . . etc.

If you take it as the absolute sense, the later guy is always the better, because of progress. But you have to look at them relative to their peer. You have to ask, "What would Wilt be like if he got the same training, knowledge, treatment, coaching, competition, perks, etc. as the guys today?"

 

You obviously never saw Bill Russell play, or Nate Thurmond. Dennis Rodman was a weak version of Bill Russell.

You stated it perfectly when you said "the rules are different." The game hasn't changed at all, its the rules that have been changed.

 

Bob* - I'll agree with you that the team game has regressed. It has. Like you said, not much ball movement nowadays. However, the case in point is not the team game but rather individual players. Guys like McGrady, Bryant, Garnett, and Iverson would literally destroy their counterparts individually.

 

I agree, todays players are way better athletically. But not smarter.

Lots of people like to watch a guy dribble around for 20 seconds and throw up an offbalance shot that might go in. It's not my cup of tea. I watch more college basketball than NBA. College is more team oriented.

 

It will always come down to: Olajuwon vs. Ditka