One of the biggest criticisms of the modern NBA is that the players are too soft. Because of the change in rules over the last few years, the league has buckled down on the level of physicality that is allowed in the league. Fans have been quite vocal about this over the years. And one picture from the 70s that has gone viral has given new fans even more ammunition against the modern generation.
A recent picture of former NBA champion Gerald Henderson playing with a neck brace on sent NBA fans into a frenzy. The Tweet with the picture highlighted how modern players partake in load management and used this player as an example of how much tougher and physically perseverent NBA players were in the prior era.
Nowadays, we got guys sitting out games for “load management.”
Meanwhile, in 1980 … pic.twitter.com/E5ts5pfTsQ
— Super 70s Sports (@Super70sSports) January 9, 2022
NBA fans reacted to this picture, with most of them talking about how tough Gerald and players from his era were. One fan even brought up Calvin Murphy, a hall of fame player who wore a helmet at one point in his career because of a concussion. Some fans did point out that making players’ health a priority is actually a good thing, but very few fans agreed with him.
https://twitter.com/BarclayBaniste2/status/1480198589368487944
When you have 14 kids as Calvin did, you can't afford to miss a game check.
— Andrew Adams (@AndrewW75078428) January 9, 2022
He would’ve played every minute if not for an ejection.
“Wilt only sat out EIGHT MINUTES of the ENTIRE SEASON. He was ejected with two technicals with eight minutes to go in one game, but played every minute (including overtimes) of each of the other 79 games that season.”
— Polish Hammer (@Polish___Hammer) January 9, 2022
— Phil (@jpmelton75) January 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/BarclayBaniste2/status/1480199175199498250
They come up with anything to try and degrade this generations athletes.
— James (@justdanieljames) January 9, 2022
Guys back then didn't have any power. Todays players have power.
— Antonio Jones (@jonesant041) January 10, 2022
He found he had extra time on his hands once he got back from Korea
— Marc Sheehan (@MarcSheehan006) January 9, 2022
And then there's this guy. Kept a suture specialist at the bench. Figures he comes from a hockey background. pic.twitter.com/mCvnX59UWM
— Rob Gray (@Bigwrenchrob) January 9, 2022
It may not have been what is today but they still were on the hook for millions in the 80’s I can assure you
— Dirk (@rblaker71) January 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/Rudolph4Todd/status/1480392886776647685
He kept it to a carton to manage his nicotine load.
— 805 Studios (@Studios805) January 9, 2022
Clearly, NBA fans think that the modern generation of the NBA is not as tough as it used to be. These fans also called Devin Booker ‘soft’ after his incident recently with the Toronto Raptors mascot, and how he complained to the referee about how he was trying to distract him.
On the other hand, we do need to acknowledge that, as tough as this move from Henderson was, it was a big risk, and could have jeopardized the rest of his career if something had gone wrong. To an extent, we should be happy that players don’t have to risk themselves in order to ensure their playing time and pay aren’t affected.
