I hate the fact that I have to agree with Lebron, but if you could somehow put the '92 guys exactly as there were then in a gym today with the current Team USA, the new guys definitely would win. NBA players are bigger, faster, and stronger than they were 20 years ago. They have better nutrition, better training/workout programs, and better medical science keeping them healthy.
In 1992 the world record in the hundred meter dash was held by Carl Lewis; 9.86 seconds. It's now only 9.58 seconds (Usain Bolt). Twenty years ago Matt Bionde held the swimming record for fastest 100 meter freestyle at 48.42 seconds. Now some guy named Amaury Leveaux has done it in 44.94. And finally the world record for the marathon in 1992 was 2 hours, 6 minutes, and 5 seconds. Today it is 2 minutes and 27 seconds less than that.
The greatest athletes in the world are just better at what they do now than they were two decades ago. Why should basketball be the exception? Remember this old Scottie Pippen commercial? I used to think that was what would happen if you put him in the 1950's NBA with the likes of Bob Cousy. Well guess what Scottie, this time you'd be in black and white.
The argument is flawed at its core. "The New guys would definitely win." Laughable.
ReplyDeletea. How you're gonna gloss over having 3 hall of famers in in the paint. Highlight reel loving people love to talk about the wing players while forgetting that Robinson was a monster defending "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood.
b. 92 could spread the floor with shooters. Bird and Mullin?
c. Don't overlook the use of TECHNOLOGY not just the athlete. Better shoes, better bikes, better clothes don't mean the athletes are that much better just the tech. For example the suits that Phelps used to swim in is not BANNED! (The high-tech suits were stitch-free, low-drag, super-light and help shed water along the surface of the suit.) Funny how those 50 Home run seasons are a thing of the past now in baseball since uppers and steroids aren't happening. You'd see the same thing in sports if those football players stopped juicing. All those 4.4 240 guys would be rare.
d. Rule changes help players out now. Hardly an illegal defense called now, hand checking outlawed, Durant couldn't guard Lebron and Lebron isn't as good a post player as Barkley, Mailman, or Robinson.
e. Just stop it with the faster is better. Basketball IQ and Heart is ALL 92 ALL DAY!! Who's a killer on this team Kobe? You guys just were hating on Westbrook in the finals as to his decision making and now he's what?? Harden disappeared for GAMES and now he's what?
Also stop acting as if this era has a monopoly on strength and speed. Anthony Mason, Xavier McDaniel, etc. Strength. Isiaih Thomas, Kevin Johnson Speed. Stop acting as if everyone now is fast and strong and everyone then wore cement boots and was skinny guys.