Just registered today although I have been reading this forum for a while. Being a basketball fan, I have always been playing in my mind, how you can compare players from different generations and if players of yesteryear were as great as players of today. Thinking about this, I came up with a team from the 60s/70s playing against a dream team of players who played in the 80s/90s (except Kareem). I know that I am playing some of the players out of position but to get the best players on the teams, I had to take some liberties. I have one piston on each team - not just because I am pistons fan, but I do think that they truly belong on this team. Assuming players are in their peak playing condition, my questions are: 1. who would win a 7 game series between these two teams 2. Who would be on your team? Team 60s/70s Starter/Backup C - Wilt/Thurmond PF - Russell/Unseld or Debusschere SF - Baylor/Bing SG - Jerry West/Maravich PG - Oscar/Cousy 6th man - Heinsohn Team 80s/90s Starter/Backup C - Kareem/Shaq PF - Bird/Malone SF - Dr. J./Pippen SG - Jordan/Isiah PG - Magic/Stockton 6th man - McHale My vote: I think this would go to the 7th game and think 80s/90s team will win this series.
The 60's/70's team would get swept. There is no answer on that team for Jordan and Shaq. Pippen and Stockton wouldn't have made my team. I would probably change your lineup a bit C - Kareem/Shaq PF - Bird/K. Malone SF - Dr. J./Wilkins SG - Jordan/R. Miller PG - Magic/Isiah 6th man - Olajuwan
I really like that lineup. Not sure on the 6th man. I'd go with the 80/90's bunch to win too. Who would coach them?
Had to include the Dream. He was the last player on this earth to make Shaq look mortal. Oh, and I would have to have Chuck Daly coach the squad! No question. One of the few coaches in history that has been able to successfully implement championship defense and offense on the same ballclub.
I like the 80s/90s team to win this matchup..... I wouldn't put Hakeem on the team though. He was way over-rated. Boniface N'Dong is a young player of today who has comparable skills to Hakeem and would probably do better if given the chance in the right system.
Hakeem overrated? shame on you! lol. 2 Championships, the most dominant big man during an era of centers, defensive awards, SHAQ's blessing as the most skilled center he has ever faced....you can't be serious. Boniface N'Dong better than Hakeem. This is a joke right? Not to mention that Hakeem put up alot of those numbers while fasting. Come on man, give the Dream some love.
One more correction. I would put Barkley ahead of Dominique Wilkins at SF. Wilkins was a great atlete but I would rather have Barkley on my team.
Boniface Motown....Ndong is not known as the "Sengalese sensation" for nothing and since I use him as my avatar I have to stick up for him. As evidence I present this bit from the French League team last year In last week defeat of JDA against Châlons-en-Champagne 108-102 (after prolongation), N'Dong had another big night with 37 points, 20 rebounds, 3 blocks and left the court with an evaluation 52. This result was a step higher than his previous top performance which happened a few weeks earlier. He scored 35 points in 1 point victory over Nancy during the 4th round of league. Dijon is actually seating on the 14th place of the Pro A ranking and N'Dong recording 4 victories and 4 defeats. According to French Magazine Basketnews here are the 5 biggest performances since the start of the season: 1. Jermaine Guice, 45 pts, 7 rbs, evaluation 54 2. Boniface N'Dong, 37 pts, 20 rbs, evaluation 52 3. Boniface N'Dong, 35 pts,11 rbs, evaluation 41 4. Patrick Whearty, 28 pts, 12 rbs, evaluation 39 4. Huseyin Besok, 21 pts, 20 rbs, evaluation 39 I don't believe Hakeem can claim this type of success
Dude, I don't even know what evaluation 52 means...but are you saying that his accomplishments in the French league are more impressive than: NBA champion (1994, '95) NBA Finals MVP (1994, '95) NBA MVP (1994) Defensive Player of Year (1993, '94) All-NBA First Team (1987, '88, '89, '93, '94, '97) All-NBA Second Team ('86, '90, '96) All-NBA Third Team (1991, '95, '99) All-Defensive First Team ('87, '88, '90, '93, '94) 12-time All-Star; Olympic gold medalist (199) One of 50 Greatest Players in NBA History (1996) I can't tell if you are joking or not at this point. Tell me you're not serious.
career highs for Hakeem: Points ~ 52 Rebounds ~ 25 - 5 times Assists ~ 12 Steals ~ 8 - 3 times Blocks ~ 12 - 2 times Career PPG - 21.8 BPG - 3.09 SPG - 1.75 APG 2.5 RPG 11.10 FT% .712 FG% - .512 Playoff PPG - 25.9 BPG - 3.26 SPG - 1.69 APG 3.2 RPG 11.20 FT% .719 FG% - .528
The fact that someone can say a team with Wilt, Russell and Thurmond "has no answer to Shaq" and actually be believed is why I avoid wasting my time with these exercises. And you have Kareem on the wrong team, since he started in '69 and had something like his 10 best seasons before 1980. Now everyone can go back to naming your favorite Power Rangers, or whatever the flavor of the month is.
LMAO! I guess the "someone" should speak up for himself. Lanierfan, do you really think Wilt, Russell or Thurmond could guard a Shaq in his prime? I don't see it. As good as Russell was defensively he has never played anyone with the physical dominance of O'neal who is in my opinion the most dominant physical player the NBA has ever seen. I challenge you to actually find anyone who has laced up that could stop Shaq-diesel when he is running on all cynlinders. Wilt has never had to deal with having a 320+ pounder leaning on him for 35+ minutes. Stick Shaq in Wilt and Russells era and his stats would have been off the map. I don't know if you can say the same the other way around. Today's game is much faster, stronger and athletic. It's just evolution. ..and on the Kareem issue. Although Kareem's stats were more dominant in the 70's, Kareem was still one of the most dominant centers in the 80's era as well. I would put his numbers up against anyone during that error. If you look closely, one would argue that his game was actually more polished at that point as his field goal pct, free throw pct and turnovers took a turn for the better. Jordan's best years weren't necessarily his best statistical years. let's see..anything else? Oh yeah, I'm partial to the White/Green ranger myself. ;) Anyone up for some Chutes and Ladders?
Kareem Lanierfan: If you read my original post carefully, it says "Thinking about this, I came up with a team from the 60s/70s playing against a dream team of players who played in the 80s/90s (except Kareem)." I am aware that Kareem played in the 70s but I have put him on the 80s team. I agree with you on Wilt/Thurmond and Russell. I don't think people who know and have seen only Shaq can understand how dominant Wilt and Russell were and for that matter how good Thurmond was.
I've watched lots of film on Wilt,Thurmond and Russell and have a tremendous respect for their contributions to the game and their above average abilities for there time. Hell, I practically live on ESPN Classic. But hey, no one can tell me that there was anyone like Shaq in the league back then. Sorry. Jesse Owens in his prime could not beat Carl Lewis in his and Wilt (the most intimidating force back then) could not handle Shaq (who is a good 50 pounds heavier than Wilt the Stilt). Evolution of talent and athleticism folks.
I have to agree with Motown here. Very difficult to imagine a game changer like Shaq in a different era but I think Shaq dominates the likes of Russell and Chamberlain.
