NBA: NBA, more athletic now....but NBA in 80-90's way more physical

[lebomb]

So noone can say which era was the best as far as the NBA is concerned. I do know this, the NBA allowed hand checks, bumping and tons more physical play back then. Players now would probably getting knocked around trying to go through the lane to the bucket. Also where are the centers in todays NBA? There arent any. Back in the day the players could guard the 3pt line much more effectively since noone in their right mind would cross over into the lane filled with Bill Cartwright, Shaq, Hakeem, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Motumbo, David Robinson, and Brad Daugherty's just to name a few.


As Dikembe would say........

[BG_Spurs_Fan]

Back when these types of centers were playing the basic defensive tactics was to clog the lane and hand check on the perimeter. Today's teams could stretch that defensive tactics, based on today's rules. A defensive or offensive combo of Patrick Ewing/ Charles Oakley wouldn't work in today's NBA and today's rules. They'd be destroyed. Different eras, different rules, so it's difficult to compare, but just think about it - those were the times when a 400-pound Oliver Miller could buy playing time...

[The Batman]

Less mental toughness today.

[lebomb]

Back when these types of centers were playing the basic defensive tactics was to clog the lane and hand check on the perimeter. Today's teams could stretch that defensive tactics, based on today's rules. A defensive or offensive combo of Patrick Ewing/ Charles Oakley wouldn't work in today's NBA and today's rules. They'd be destroyed. Different eras, different rules, so it's difficult to compare, but just think about it - those were the times when a 400-pound Oliver Miller could buy playing time...

A few valid points, but I believe team defenses were better back then as well. Players didnt just run down and jack up a 3ptr with noone under the basket. Players actually got up in your grill on defense. Just sayin..........

[Cry Havoc]

A few valid points, but I believe team defenses were better back then as well. Players didnt just run down and jack up a 3ptr with noone under the basket. Players actually got up in your grill on defense. Just sayin..........

Rose-tinted memories. The 90s are a different story, but teams from the 80s didn't play hard defense. They didn't. They played a very sporadic style of extremely hard fouls followed by giving the other team uncontested 16 footers with absolutely no ball pressure.

Today's defenses would have EVISCERATED the 80s era of simplistic offense. Teams actually play transition defense and have strategies for rotation against freewheeling offenses like the Showtime Lakers.

That's not to say those teams wouldn't have adapted and been good in today's league, but they would not have been successful half-assing it on defense for 60% of the game like they did back then.

Don't believe me? Go back and watch footage. Watch players not even try to contest a pick and roll and the ball handler pop free while defenders stand around with their hands in their pockets.

The 90s were when teams really began to evolve defensive iden ies and concepts. They weren't as advanced as they are now, but there was a lot more effort on that side of the ball.

[ambchang]

Back when these types of centers were playing the basic defensive tactics was to clog the lane and hand check on the perimeter. Today's teams could stretch that defensive tactics, based on today's rules. A defensive or offensive combo of Patrick Ewing/ Charles Oakley wouldn't work in today's NBA and today's rules. They'd be destroyed. Different eras, different rules, so it's difficult to compare, but just think about it - those were the times when a 400-pound Oliver Miller could buy playing time...

Oakley and Ewing on offense would actually work pretty well. Both of them has good range out to about 20 feet, enough to stretch the floor for perimeter players to drive.

As for defense, yes their general immobility would make them useless in the 3-second era.

[ambchang]

Rose-tinted memories. The 90s are a different story, but teams from the 80s didn't play hard defense. They didn't. They played a very sporadic style of extremely hard fouls followed by giving the other team uncontested 16 footers with absolutely no ball pressure.

Today's defenses would have EVISCERATED the 80s era of simplistic offense. Teams actually play transition defense and have strategies for rotation against freewheeling offenses like the Showtime Lakers.

That's not to say those teams wouldn't have adapted and been good in today's league, but they would not have been successful half-assing it on defense for 60% of the game like they did back then.

Don't believe me? Go back and watch footage. Watch players not even try to contest a pick and roll and the ball handler pop free while defenders stand around with their hands in their pockets.

The 90s were when teams really began to evolve defensive iden ies and concepts. They weren't as advanced as they are now, but there was a lot more effort on that side of the ball.

Agreed. The 80s were pretty weak defensively, that's why there were so many fast-breaking and high scoring teams. Unless you have a guy like Magic, Bird, Jordan, Hakeem or Barkley, the offense was mainly pick and rolls. Iso-ball was pretty much the norm.

Daly changed the entire landscape, he emphasized defense, and ushered in a new era.

90s ball was all defense, and the offense was mainly iso ball because that was the best offense given the rules. Once the defensive 3 seconds rules came in, the entire offense opened up to drive and kick. Perimeter play became a lot more free-flowing because it's just easier.

[Medvedenko]

Like in all sports, there's an evolution in not just style of play, offensive and defensive schemes but in also the average height, weight and overall athleticism in the league. Players now on average are stronger, faster and more athletic than in the 90's and 80's. Yes there were exceptions, however the league adapts and GM's start drafting and conditioning players on the new model. When that doesnt' work anymore it evloves again. Just like in the 50's and 60's in comparison to the 80's is jarring, so is the comparison to the 2000's. Just watch old NBA classic games. Unfortunately you'll only see the greatest games, like playoffs with the best teams, skewing opinions and colouring an era with a positive results that are not accurate to begin with. Being physical only gets so far when you're chasing bigs that at one point would play in the paint, where now they are a threat throughout the set.

[Malik Hairston]

Like in all sports, there's an evolution in not just style of play, offensive and defensive schemes but in also the average height, weight and overall athleticism in the league. Players now on average are stronger, faster and more athletic than in the 90's and 80's. Yes there were exceptions, however the league adapts and GM's start drafting and conditioning players on the new model. When that doesnt' work anymore it evloves again. Just like in the 50's and 60's in comparison to the 80's is jarring, so is the comparison to the 2000's. Just watch old NBA classic games. Unfortunately you'll only see the greatest games, like playoffs with the best teams, skewing opinions and colouring an era with a positive results that are not accurate to begin with. Being physical only gets so far when you're chasing bigs that at one point would play in the paint, where now they are a threat throughout the set.

Great post, tbh..

I believe that superstar players would succeed in any era, we've seen superstars, even past their primes, hold their own against the younger superstars entering their generation..the biggest difference would be seen in the rest of the league, particularly role players that are considerably less athletic and skilled than they are in today's league..

Obviously the natural progression in schemes/systems/understanding of the game, too..

[Malik Hairston]

I have never understood why so many NBA fans crave for fights/physicality/hard fouls, etc..


Basketball is a beautiful sport that should be played at the highest skill level..passing, athleticism, shooting, etc..it's not boxing or MMA, being a goon that commits hard fouls and doesn't have the lateral quickness to defend(so relying on handchecking) has no business in basketball..

[Medvedenko]

I have never understood why so many NBA fans crave for fights/physicality/hard fouls, etc..


Basketball is a beautiful sport that should be played at the highest skill level..passing, athleticism, shooting, etc..it's not boxing or MMA, being a goon that commits hard fouls and doesn't have the lateral quickness to defend(so relying on handchecking) has no business in basketball..

Pretty much spot on.

[spurraider21]

I think a lot of it comes from disdain for players that get foodstamps and the touch fouls leading to free throws. You get penalized for trying to play defense at times, especially against guys like Westbrook. There were like 80 fouls called on 3 point attempts in these playoffs, most of which were fingertips grazing after the ball was gone.

[Thread]

I have never understood why so many NBA fans crave for fights/physicality/hard fouls, etc..


Basketball is a beautiful sport that should be played at the highest skill level..passing, athleticism, shooting, etc..it's not boxing or MMA, being a goon that commits hard fouls and doesn't have the lateral quickness to defend(so relying on handchecking) has no business in basketball..

Oh, sure, now that you're "goon" squad is retired and your "beautiful sport" is giving birth to probably ing triplets you want the checker board set up to suit you.

You, son-of-a- , you.

[lefty]

I have never understood why so many NBA fans crave for fights/physicality/hard fouls, etc..


Basketball is a beautiful sport that should be played at the highest skill level..passing, athleticism, shooting, etc..it's not boxing or MMA, being a goon that commits hard fouls and doesn't have the lateral quickness to defend(so relying on handchecking) has no business in basketball..

son, you're a wimp

ing white beta cuck got

[Infinite_limit]

I have never understood why so many NBA fans crave for fights/physicality/hard fouls, etc..


Basketball is a beautiful sport that should be played at the highest skill level..passing, athleticism, shooting, etc..it's not boxing or MMA, being a goon that commits hard fouls and doesn't have the lateral quickness to defend(so relying on handchecking) has no business in basketball..

That's the AND 1 tournament. No defense, ballhogs taking turns breaking guys off the dribble 1 on 5, dancing after 3pointers & dunks.

[lebomb]

That's the AND 1 tournament. No defense, ballhogs taking turns breaking guys off the dribble 1 on 5, dancing after 3pointers & dunks.

I played 2 teens one on one awhile back......they tried to cross me over on every move. I would just keep an eye on the ball....they make their cross over move, I gently tapped the out of bounds. Its all about hype and flash now, where are the real skills? We need more big fundamental. AKA Timmy

[Gummi Clutch]

I have never understood why so many NBA fans crave for fights/physicality/hard fouls, etc..


Basketball is a beautiful sport that should be played at the highest skill level..passing, athleticism, shooting, etc..it's not boxing or MMA, being a goon that commits hard fouls and doesn't have the lateral quickness to defend(so relying on handchecking) has no business in basketball..

I'm surprised that Pau isn't your favorite player.

[Malik Hairston]

old-ass s that can't keep up with 15-year olds..

[lebomb]

old-ass s that can't keep up with 15-year olds..

Schooled them youngstuhs...........

[Medvedenko]

What I have noticed is definitely a lack of fundamentals for the young guys lately, and they rely on their athleticism more and more. Also, they only know 2 shots, dunks or 3's. Obviously to be successfull beyond the HS level you need to have a semblance of shooting, handling and IQ to be successful. I blame this on the Top 10, highlight movement over the last 20 years.

[Infinite_limit]

What I have noticed is definitely a lack of fundamentals for the young guys lately, and they rely on their athleticism more and more. Also, they only know 2 shots, dunks or 3's. Obviously to be successfull beyond the HS level you need to have a semblance of shooting, handling and IQ to be successful. I blame this on the Top 10, highlight movement over the last 20 years.

Well put. Also YouTube & Twitter. I was telling my GF yesterday how much more difficult it is now to coach College. Every player has his own YouTube highlight reel and Twitter following. When I was in High School a decade ago players asked the team manager to put together a VHS of their highlights. And prior to that team games were not recorded.

[Medvedenko]

Well put. Also YouTube & Twitter. I was telling my GF yesterday how much more difficult it is now to coach College. Every player has his own YouTube highlight reel and Twitter following. When I was in High School a decade ago players asked the team manager to put together a VHS of their highlights. And prior to that team games were not recorded.

Yup, I finished HS 20 years ago and had a VHS tape of my accolades made up as well and sent to all Universities along with a statistical package. Very sparse to what you can get nowadays. Now that being said everyone is so scrutinized and over analyzed to a point of paralysis. I blame "moneyball"....

[Killakobe81]

Defenses have gotten more complex and the players are more athletic ...this we know.
But Shooting has gotten worse as we have replaced or marginalized guys that are good shooters but not athletic and would have a tough time playing now. Superstars transcend eras no doubt but good shooters today are now "specialists". I know we have had specialists like Hodges, Kerr etc. But most of them now dont even play THAT much. In the 80's most starting SF's and SG's were MONEY from 18 feet. You would never leave a wing-man wide open on the perimeter to double a big you almost always had to double with another big or have a PG "dig" (many PG's were not scorers like Mo cheeks) because if you left Hornacek, English, aguirre, Dantley, Ainge, Ellis, Xavier, chambers etc. Open from mid-range they would of punished these "elaborate defensive" schemes.
The defense that you guys credit are just taking advantage of the fact that guys like Artest, Tony allen, Sefolosha, rondo, George Hill, Stephenson, Lamb, all key rotation guys BUT cannot hit consistently enough from 18-20 feet or 3 point range to punish teams for their zone traps. I agree defenses ARE better but they are just taking advantage of the teams that lack shooting.

Miami tried that vs. the spurs this year (complex defense) and 2011 Mavs and failed both times Because they had enough shooting (in 2011 even Kidd couldnt miss) to punish the modern defensive schemes. Pop also forced Chalmers, Battier and Cole and even Wade to do it on the HEAT and they could not and that's why they got whupped.

[Killakobe81]

2014 Spurs could play in the 80's and could punish any defense that tried to leave their bevy of shooters open.