The problem with a GOAT debate or a better now than ever debate, is that rules change. No era is the same. You could argue that ball handling might be better now than in the 70s, but Jordan and Iverson were pretty damn good at handling the ball. Defense was much more physical when Jordan played.
40 years is 84-85 season at this point. From basketball-reference.com:
Most Valuable Player: Larry Bird (28.7/10.5/6.6)
Rookie of the Year: Michael Jordan (28.2/6.5/5.9)
PPG Leader: Bernard King (32.9)
RPG Leader: Moses Malone (13.1)
APG Leader: Isiah Thomas (13.9)
WS Leader: Larry Bird (15.7)
Other players of note:
Magic Johnson
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Hakeem Olajuwon
Dominique Wilkins
Charles Barkley
Who are the better skill players in the NBA today?
Why couldn't a serious person argue that?
Replies to: "Why couldn't a serious person argue that?"
- David Aldridge > GOAT [LINK]
- Chris94 - 9:12am 4/1/25
(33) [View All]
- I just realized that article is an April Fools joke [NT] - holybull101 - 12:22pm 4/1/25
- The NBA thought defense isn't entertaining for TV so they got rid of it [NT] - holybull101 - 12:10pm 4/1/25
- You pay to read the Athletic? [NT]
- LanceManion - 11:48am 4/1/25
- Free with NYT. You should try it. - Chris94 - 1:27pm 4/1/25
- You pay to read the NYT? [NT]
- TampaIrish - 1:37pm 4/1/25
- At least he isn’t paying to read the athletic. That would trigger some real questions. [NT]
- LanceManion - 3:26pm 4/1/25
- why? he's probably a dedicated athletic supporter. [NT]
- und67 - 6:15pm 4/1/25
- Well done. [NT] - TampaIrish - 7:07pm 4/1/25
- why? he's probably a dedicated athletic supporter. [NT]
- und67 - 6:15pm 4/1/25
- At least he isn’t paying to read the athletic. That would trigger some real questions. [NT]
- LanceManion - 3:26pm 4/1/25
- You pay to read the NYT? [NT]
- TampaIrish - 1:37pm 4/1/25
- Free with NYT. You should try it. - Chris94 - 1:27pm 4/1/25
- Why couldn't a serious person argue that? - wrdomerson - 10:50am 4/1/25
- Top-to-bottom, the players are better today - Chris94 - 11:03am 4/1/25
- Indeed, although injuries are much more prominent today vs 1970s/1980s/1990s. - conorlarkin - 12:23pm 4/1/25
- Could also be that back then they just played through injuries that they sit for today. [NT]
- wrdomerson - 2:50pm 4/1/25
- Absolutely true. Load management is a load of crap. [NT] - Hensou - 3:03pm 4/1/25
- Could also be that back then they just played through injuries that they sit for today. [NT]
- wrdomerson - 2:50pm 4/1/25
- You're spot on, Chris...as someone who was impressed by Bob Cousy's behind-the-back passing - TyroneIrish - 11:38am 4/1/25
- Yes, okay - but IMO the biggest change in the game coinciding with the 3 point line - jimbasil - 11:33am 4/1/25
- You bring up a different point that's important: The rules are called way differently now. - jakers - 12:21pm 4/1/25
- Also true. And not always for the best, that's for sure. [NT] - Chris94 - 1:24pm 4/1/25
- You bring up a different point that's important: The rules are called way differently now. - jakers - 12:21pm 4/1/25
- I think that's largely true of most sports. Generations adapt and improve. - jakers - 11:30am 4/1/25
- Jordan hit the weights after getting his ass kicked by the Pistons so he could take the abuse. - wrdomerson - 12:13pm 4/1/25
- And certainly if the older players had today's conditioning, they would be better too - Chris94 - 1:26pm 4/1/25
- It's a fun thing for people to do, but it's a difficult actual task. [LINK]
- wrdomerson - 1:44pm 4/1/25
- I really can't argue with anyone who picks Michael over LeBron - Chris94 - 2:34pm 4/1/25
- He would need at least 2 more, that would put him at most seasons played by anyone in history - wrdomerson - 2:49pm 4/1/25
- I really can't argue with anyone who picks Michael over LeBron - Chris94 - 2:34pm 4/1/25
- It's a fun thing for people to do, but it's a difficult actual task. [LINK]
- wrdomerson - 1:44pm 4/1/25
- Your skills point is valid, too. Some would argue they're not focused on enough. - jakers - 12:19pm 4/1/25
- I'm also not big into hoops, I only really watch if it's on at the place I'm eating nowadays - wrdomerson - 1:26pm 4/1/25
- And certainly if the older players had today's conditioning, they would be better too - Chris94 - 1:26pm 4/1/25
- They don't always improve. Sometimes they devolve. [NT] [LINK] - Hensou - 11:47am 4/1/25
- Agreed. [NT] - Chris94 - 11:39am 4/1/25
- Jordan hit the weights after getting his ass kicked by the Pistons so he could take the abuse. - wrdomerson - 12:13pm 4/1/25
- Here is the article. It's very interesting. - Chris94 - 11:14am 4/1/25
- That was an interesting read, thanks [NT] - wrdomerson - 12:00pm 4/1/25
- Indeed, although injuries are much more prominent today vs 1970s/1980s/1990s. - conorlarkin - 12:23pm 4/1/25
- Precisely. Well done. [NT] - Hensou - 11:02am 4/1/25
- Top-to-bottom, the players are better today - Chris94 - 11:03am 4/1/25
- Here's a solid POV. Hysterical accolades are undeserved. [NT] [LINK] - Hensou - 9:59am 4/1/25
- The dimensional parameters of the game are too limited for today's athletes. - Curly1918 - 9:40am 4/1/25
- The NBA players today are the best ever [LINK] - Hensou - 9:23am 4/1/25