IMO the current generation has slightly superior athletic ability (on an average) but is somewhat lacking in work ethic, toughness and IQ (on average). I attribute that to the enormous amounts of money that is doled out to players nowadays, and a CBA that is very favorable to the players. Even mediocre players get huge contracts in today's NBA. In 1992, Jordan (the face of the league) made $3.25 million and the league salary cap was around $12 million.

No wonder you get players like Vince Carter who's insanely athletic and talented to boot, but lacks the toughness and desire to be a great player. The Knicks have thrown boatloads of money at players like Marbury and Crawford and Jerome ing James, and every one of them is an underachiever.

The current era is probably better than any era in terms of skills and athletic ability, but basketball at this level is a team game that demands intelligence and mental discipline. The teams from the 2000s have great individual atheletes, but they'd get owned by the 90s and the 80s teams.