What kind of players would Jerry West and Ice Man be today?

[midnightpulp]

Inspired by the Bill Russell discussion I've had with many of you, thought I'd throw this out there.

West was probably the second best pure scorer of his era behind his own teammate Baylor. But would a 6-2 shooting guard with average athleticism make it in today's league? Could a smart player like West adjust his game and be a point guard? Or would he merely be a spot up shooter today?

Now for Ice. Best scorer of his era. Concerns for him would be his slight build relative to the players today. Even Durant looks buff compared to Ice. However, would Ice be even better with the way today's game caters to perimeter players? I could see him living at the line.

What say you?

[poop]

West being small, white, and unathletic would get his shit pushed in today. he would do 10 ppg as a role player somewhere.

[Giuseppe]

Ice would melt now like he did then.

[monosylab1k]

West being small, white, and unathletic would get his shit pushed in today. he would do 10 ppg as a role player somewhere.

:tu Imagine if JJ Redick were two inches shorter. That's Jerry West in today's NBA.

[lefty]

That leads to the question:

How the fuck did we end up with Matt Bonner?

Did Marty McFly bring him from his trip in 1955 ?

[midnightpulp]

Ice would melt now like he did then.

Like Ice had a chance bringing in Artis Gilmore and Johnny Moore against Kareem and Magic.

[Giuseppe]

Like Ice had a chance bringing in Artis Gilmore and Johnny Moore against Kareem and Magic.

Now, yes, but, then there was never an absence of "Kareem klllers" or Magic doubters.

[Man About Town]

I'm pretty sure the Iceman would still be a player. You know the bitches would want to snort lines and then service him. Not sure about West though, the ladies probably wouldn't like him as much.

[JamStone]

Both Iceman and Dr.J would actually fair much better in today's game as opposed to their eras. The game was very physical back in the 70s and 80s and both Ice and Erving were players who worked for the best shot possible and din't settle for jumpers.

West on the other hand probably would have had his career cut short due to his heart issues, but then again if modern medical officals could have caught it, they perhaps would have been able to treat it as well. Still Jerry West had shooting ability comparable to Kobe. He could hit shots with a man right in his face, off the dribble, attacking the basket. His long range jumper was limited, but back in the 60s no one ever shot outside of 20 feet any how.

It's always pretty interesting to try to theorize the differences in eras.

The argument that it was more physical back then I think has its merit. However, I also think that the game being physical necessarily meant it was tougher back then. Now, I didn't start watching the NBA until the mid 80s. But I think while the game isn't as physical in today's game because of all the rule changes and what I perceive as the NBA trying to create an image of the league that doesn't have fights and hard fouls and such, I also think that team defense in today's game is much better. So back then, when players attacked the rim, sure they got knocked down harder. But I also think back then defenders didn't close as hard on jump shooters, didn't always stay in front of their man nearly as well, didn't have these elaborate schemes to really try to stop great offensive players. But if they got at the rim, they'd dish out a hard foul. In today's game, perimeter players have been taught, coached, and trained to be great on the ball defenders, to stay with the guy with the ball attached to his hip. You have specialists like Bowen and Raja of recent years whose main purpose was to do that. And a lot of teams have those types of players. And then you have pretty detailed schemes to help if those guys get beat. Back then, probably not as elaborate. But if a guy gets beat out on the perimeter, foul the shit out of him.

It's kind of the defense argument that's brought up when people talk about Jordan's era and Kobe's era. One played in a time where you could handcheck. But in today's game, they allow zone defenses. Do they equally balance each other out? Most likely not, but there are both advantages and disadvantages.

So I think sometimes you have to wonder if just because in the 70s/80s the game was more physical, would it really be tougher to score? Is it really easier to score in today's NBA?

[tlongII]

I think they'd be pretty good regardless of the era. You would have to consider that they would develop in today's era as well with all of the latest in technology for strength and conditioning. It's about desire and aptitude for the game and both West and Gervin had that imo.

[Killakobe81]

:tu Imagine if JJ Redick were two inches shorter. That's Jerry West in today's NBA.

yal are dumb ...

He probaly doesnt sore as oftenn ill give you that but he would score still a lot.

[lefty]

Jerry West on steroids would be a scary mofo

[lefty]

Interesting take, Phila
:tu

[JamStone]

Yeah, really good insight Phila.

Definitely gave me something to think about.

[Giuseppe]

Definitely gave me something to think about.

A shame it'll die of loneliness.

[monosylab1k]

Didn't I tell you to read a book? West wasn't a freak athlete but he was determined and a better ball handler than most players of his time. JJ is hesitant to shoot with a man guarding him straight up, west would fire and hit with a hand in his face and if he didn't have the elbow room he would create space by putting the ball on the floor and creating his own shot. JJ did a bit of that in college but his ball handling at the NBA level is average at best.

This coming from the assclown who said George Mikan was a 7 footer? Quit being ignorant of the game's past, then get back to me.

[ezau]

Ice would dominate today like he did in the 80's. West would be a Mark Price or Nash type player.

West would be a faster, more agile version of Steve Kerr with better dribbling ability.

[monosylab1k]

You didn't know that in the 40s and 50s they couldn't accurately measure people so they guessed? Once Mikan retired they could measure him and he was 7 feet tall.

:lmao yeah those damn tape measures that conveniently didn't get invented until right after George Mikan retired. Just do us all a favor and stop being so ignorant to the game's past.

[monosylab1k]

:lmao "there was a breakthrough in measuring things after George Mikan retired!"

[dbestpro]

I think West and Ice both would excel. There is very few players in the NBA today that compare to these 2. The biggest difference is that both these players were smooth. It looked like they were playing in slow motion and there was nothing you could do about it. The closest player to Gervin is Durant. George was a better ball handler. West is horribly under estimated by most of the posters. I think some folks have a hard time believing that a white guy from the 60s could be effective today. West was Mr. Clutch. You need a big shot and he would deliver. His shot was as good as Ray Allen, and he was as crafty as Manu without the turnovers.

[dbestpro]

:lmao "there was a breakthrough in measuring things after George Mikan retired!"

George Mikan was 7 foot 10 inches tall.


(Since George Mikan was bigger than life, the bronze statue that wasdedicated Friday afternoon in the cozy little park at the corner ofIngalls Avenue and Broadway Street in Crest Hill is a foot taller thanbigger than life.

Friends of Community Public Art commissioned the project, with leadartist David Standifer providing the expertise for the 7-foot-10sculpture.)