As with all things, the NBA changes over time. While the basic rules and mechanics of the game remain the same, basketball is always and constantly evolving as players and teams find new ways to master the sport.
But is the level of difficulty really the same for players today as it was years ago? According to veteran point guard John Wall, the answer is no.
Speaking on the Tidal League podcast, the former All-Star got real on the state of the current NBA and how stars have it much easier today than they used to.
“Don’t get me wrong, these young motherf—— in the game now is nice but… the NBA and college.. it’s so easy now… it’s switch everything 1-5, find your worst matchup and go at him….we had to go through real systems.”
John Wall:
"Don't get me wrong, these young motherf—— in the game now is nice but… the NBA and college.. it's so easy now… it's switch everything 1-5, find your worst matchup and go at him….we had to go through real systems."
(via @TidalLeague) pic.twitter.com/En7L2Wuqve
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 25, 2023
Wall comes across like a salty veteran here, but he does have a point. In the modern NBA, offense rules and players who can score are having a much easier time racking up points against today’s smaller, less physical defenses.
Former NBA Coach Says Michael Jordan Would Average 50 In Today’s NBA
In the 80s, 90s, and even early 2000s, the game was played with a much greater degree of contract and toughness. It was physical, it was messy, and scoring points at any spot on the court didn’t come so easily.
Some would even argue that Michael Jordan, who is widely known as the greatest player ever, would average way more points if he played today.
“If you would give the ball to Jordan in his prime with these rules, with all the shooting, and think that he wasn’t going to shoot over 50%? Michael shot over 50% with limited 3-point shooting, and limited space in the triangle offense….at the highest form of physicality, the (Detroit) Pistons or the (New York) Knicks trying to take your head off. So there is (absolutely) no question Michael Jordan would have led the league in scoring (in today’s time)…..he would’ve averaged 40 (points).”
Obviously, people are always going to have something different today about this era vs. previous ones, but it’s clear that the league favors offense over defense these days, and it has opened up a lot of opportunities to score.
You can’t blame it on the superstars for finding a way to thrive in the system they are given, but some veterans just want to let the world know that things weren’t always so easy…
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