Why do I keep hearing people say today's NBA players are bigger/stronger/faster?

[Ethnic Vagina Finder]

that's a bunch of bullshyt. As compared to what era? 90's? Nope. 80's? Nope. 70's? Maybe but not really. 60's? it was mostly white people as you start to go back.


I mean sure you have your freak athletes today but there aren't that manny. Kevin Johnson, Tim Hardaway, Isaiah Thomas could all play in todays NBA. A young Magic, Jordan etc. I think basketball is one of few sports where you can compare players from different eras.

 

[Majestic Pape]

Because, on average, they ARE bigger/faster/stronger. The best of the best can always compare throughout eras though, that's why they're the best.

 

[J-Fire]

basketball player didn't used to lift weights. Iceman George Gervin thought it would mess up his shooting touch.

I could hit the backboard and maybe hit a 1/2 court shot here and there when I was in 5th grade.


but i think they players cardio is down these days.... and they couldn't chase Reggie miller and prime Ray Allen around screens all day. I can't see bron big ass chasing around reggie miller like pippen used to do....he would have to slim down if we had more players like that on the perimeter.

 

[Shogun]

basketball player didn't used to lift weights. Iceman George Gervin thought it would mess up his shooting touch.

I could hit the backboard and maybe hit a 1/2 court shot here and there when I was in 5th grade.


but i think they players cardio is down these days.... and they couldn't chase Reggie miller and prime Ray Allen around screens all day. I can't see bron big ass chasing around reggie miller like pippen used to do....he would have to slim down if we had more players like that on the perimeter.

Wade proved him right.

 

[Screwface Exchange]

Because, on average, they ARE bigger/faster/stronger. The best of the best can always compare throughout eras though, that's why they're the best.

Actually, on avg they are not, as in the 90s and 80s, there was a lot more big men, centers and power forwards, who were dominate and extremely athletic compared to big men now. Some teams can't even find 1 quality big man, while before every team had at least 1 if not multiple.

As well, many youngins perception of players from the 90s and 80s is based on hyperbole n video games and poor quality high light films. Ppl always conceive Larry Bird these days as just a premier shooter, and mostly as a shooting guard. While the truth was Larry bird was 6'9 220lbs, dude had solid handles n was a good slasher, but he was a great passer. McHale use to get wicked passes from Bird. And for alot of seasons Larry Bird actually played power forward. Ppl these days acting like Bron was the 1st to do this.

Game was better before, dudes were bigger, faster and stronger before, but we live in a tv age so more ppl can see the players now than use to in the past so how can they realistically be able to compare the past.

 

[Majestic Pape]

basketball player didn't used to lift weights. Iceman George Gervin thought it would mess up his shooting touch.

I could hit the backboard and maybe hit a 1/2 court shot here and there when I was in 5th grade.


but i think they players cardio is down these days.... and they couldn't chase Reggie miller and prime Ray Allen around screens all day. I can't see bron big ass chasing around reggie miller like pippen used to do....he would have to slim down if we had more players like that on the perimeter.

And why the hell would you expect him to? You wouldn't want Karl Malone running around after Michael Jordan.

 

[Malta]

Actually, on avg they are not, as in the 90s and 80s, there was a lot more big men, centers and power forwards, who were dominate and extremely athletic compared to big men now. Some teams can't even find 1 quality big man, while before every team had at least 1 if not multiple.

As well, many youngins perception of players from the 90s and 80s is based on hyperbole n video games and poor quality high light films. Ppl always conceive Larry Bird these days as just a premier shooter, and mostly as a shooting guard. While the truth was Larry bird was 6'9 220lbs, dude had solid handles n was a good slasher, but he was a great passer. McHale use to get wicked passes from Bird. And for alot of seasons Larry Bird actually played power forward. Ppl these days acting like Bron was the 1st to do this.

Game was better before, dudes were bigger, faster and stronger before, but we live in a tv age so more ppl can see the players now than use to in the past so how can they realistically be able to compare the past.

The average weight of NBA players has been going up over the last 20 years, they are bigger despite there being less centers.

The wing players, specifically the SF position is starting to turn into a spot where you need a 6"7 240+ lber.

 

[J-Fire]

And why the hell would you expect him to? You wouldn't want Karl Malone running around after Michael Jordan.

yeah, but malone played power forward.

Bron is a wingman. small forward i thought.....he changed positions to start guarding skilled low post dudes? not that he couldn't do it....but I ain't really seen that side from him. I seen him bron in his comfort zone guarding perimeter guys in today's game...which are iso dudes not coming off a million screens.

 

[MegaTronBomb!]

Wacky D? is that you?

 

[MegaTronBomb!]

yeah, but malone played power forward.

Bron is a wingman. small forward i thought.....he changed positions to start guarding skilled low post dudes? not that he couldn't do it....but I ain't really seen that side from him. I seen him bron in his comfort zone guarding perimeter guys in today's game...which are iso dudes not coming off a million screens.

LeBron is 6'8" 260.... Pip was nearly 50 lbs less than him.


Bron and Scumbag Malone are roughly the same height/weight.

 

[GreatestLaker]

The players today are faster and more athletic. I watch tapes from 25 years ago and there is a noticeable difference in athleticism.

 

[Doobie Doo]

It's not that they are faster today. It's defensive is less suffocating. Getting rid of hand checking was one way they opened up the lanes for quick players to get to the hoop faster.

 

[Screwface Exchange]

The average weight of NBA players has been going up over the last 20 years, they are bigger despite there being less centers.

The wing players, specifically the SF position is starting to turn into a spot where you need a 6"7 240+ lber.

overall larger total weights don't matter, as you got bums like Eddy Curry on the bench leading to this kind of stat. But on the court, easily the 90s and 80s were a bigger era. The NBA has even conceded this by removing the C position from all star ballots and changing it to just Bigs.

I remember in old times Pippen was 6'8 230. Shoot in the 88 finals, the lakers starting front line was Jabbar (7'2), Worthy (6'9) and AC Green (6'9). Pistons front line was aguirre (6'6), mahorn (6'10) n laimbeer (6'11).

in 90 the pistons had same starting front but got even bigger as no Mahorn and having 7' James Edwards starting beside Laimbeer. In those finals, they faced Portland who started Kersey 6'7 in sf, with duckworth (7') and buck williams(6'8) in pf and center.

Shoot, the great 1 Jordan was a 6'6 sg. Ron Harper was a 6'6 starting pg, what's the height of the starting pg's n sg's from the final 4 of this year play offs
chalmers n wade, hill n stephenson, conley n allen, parker & green, shoot Green da only dude on that list over 6'5.

 

[#StarkSet]

that's a bunch of bullshyt. As compared to what era? 90's? Nope. 80's? Nope. 70's? Maybe but not really. 60's? it was mostly white people as you start to go back.


I mean sure you have your freak athletes today but there aren't that manny. Kevin Johnson, Tim Hardaway, Isaiah Thomas could all play in todays NBA. A young Magic, Jordan etc. I think basketball is one of few sports where you can compare players from different eras.

:userious?:


players are bigger faster stronger now



especially in the nfl, compare the sizes from the 80's to now and its scary how big players have gotten

 

[Heretic]

I'll give you the 90's had a lot of athletic freaks but the o
80's had a lot of unathletic big men playing. I think athleticism and size was much more common in the 90's. I didn't get to see a lot of it live since I was born in 86 but I remember video since I'm a basketball nut but I remember the 90s pretty well and I do believe size and athleticism was above what it is today. Now if you want to talk football then that's a different story.