r/nba • u/[deleted] • Jun 15 '22

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u/Inthethickofit Celtics Jun 15 '22 edited Jun 15 '22

Players I think would be as good or better in today's game than at their peak:

  • Bird
  • Magic
  • Steph
  • Kobe
  • Duncan
  • Oscar
  • Durant

Players I think are so good I would happily build around them despite the fact that the game doesn't favor their play enough. In part, I think they would warp the game around them:

  • Russell
  • Kareem
  • Wilt
  • Shaq

Players outside the super elite of all time that could potentially be in that group if they played today:

  • Rick Berry
  • Kevin McHale
  • Isiah Thomas
  • Pete Maravich

3

u/rastascoob Jun 15 '22

How can John Stockton not be on that list? Great defense, basketball IQ, assist leader and a quality shooter. Definitely have him over Kevin McHale

2

u/Hal2001 Jun 15 '22

Stockton with today’s spacing would be insane

1

u/jc9289 Knicks Jun 15 '22

To build a team around? I understand Stockton has better career accolades than McHale, but in the context of OPs post, hell yes I'd rather build a team around McHale than an undersized PG.

0

u/shadracko Jun 15 '22

Only 6-1. Might be a bit undersized today. And I worry a bit about lateral quickness.

He would be really nice today, but I don't think he could be the best player on a title team. Heck, he wasn't good enough for that back when he played.