Who is considered the greatest basketball player ever?
Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan has been considered the greatest basketball player of all time even before he retired. Some exceptions apply, but this has been a consensus choice for the better part of 2 plus decades. For James to be ranked above him is a watershed moment.
Would Bill Russel be good now?
Bill Russell would fare just as well, if not better, in today’s NBA. Not in terms of statistical production—whether individual stats or team titles—but he would still be a better player. All of Russell’s greatest assets and abilities would be better utilized and trained in 2015 than they were in 1965.
What NBA players would be considered great in the modern era?
George Mikan, John Havlicek, Bob Pettit, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West would be great in the modern era too. Like Curry, Durant or James, they are so great and their skill sets are special enough to stand the test of the time and transcend the decades.
Are NBA players today better than NBA players in the past?
NBA players today are, on average, significantly better at virtually every skill relevant to basketball than ever before. And the gap between modern players and players in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s is enormous, and even since the late 80’s and 90’s there’s been at least some improvement.
Who would be considered a legend in the modern era?
LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Curry would be legends no matter what. With this view, quite often the opposite is also considered true. George Mikan, John Havlicek, Bob Pettit, Oscar Robertson and Jerry West would be great in the modern era too.
How many seasons have NBA players played over 37 years old?
By the end of this season, 143 seasons in the NBA will have been played by a player over 37 years of age. In the 1980’s, less than one of these seasons were played per year, in the 1990’s, it was about three per year and over the past few seasons that number has ballooned to seven.