The game of basketball has come a long way. It’s constantly evolving and is nothing like it was 10 or 20 years ago. For some, that’s a good thing, while others believe that the old days were better.
Those changes in the rules and even tactics make us wonder how former greats of the game would’ve fared in today’s NBA and vice versa.
That’s why 4-time Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace believes that he would’ve been better had he played in today’s era, as he was always a bit undersized when it came to playing the five spot:
“My game would be tailor-made for today’s game. In my prime, I was that guy on the floor out of place because of my size … the game was build for giants,” Wallace said, as quoted by Rod Beard of Detroit News.
#Pistons Ben Wallace on today's NBA: "My game would be tailor-made for today's game. In my prime, I was that guy on the floor out of place because of my size … the game was build for giants."
— Rod Beard (@ajcRodBeard) June 22, 2021
Even despite giving up some size, Wallace was still one of the most dominant rebounders and rim protectors in NBA history. He could guard one through five and play lockdown defense for full 48 minutes, making an impact even if he didn’t need to score.
Then again, given the way the game is called right now, perhaps Wallace wouldn’t have been able to deal with the referees. In fact, he admitted that the game today has gotten a little soft:
“I think the game has gotten a little bit soft,” Wallace added.
#Pistons Ben Wallace on today's NBA: "I think the game has gotten a little bit soft."
— Rod Beard (@ajcRodBeard) June 22, 2021
We tend to believe that the best players in the world would’ve dominated regardless of the era. Their talent, skills, and work ethic would’ve helped them adjust and adapt to every set of rules.
As for the softness of the league, well, that’s not for us to decide. What we can say is that half of the flagrant fouls or technical fouls that are called nowadays would’ve been a travesty 15 years ago.
