Among NBA fans, there is frequent discussion not only about all-time rankings but also about different basketball eras. Since fans often watched different eras of basketball, everyone is biased toward their own era.
One of the big topics always present in discussions about eras is whether players from older generations could play the modern game. Golden State Warriors legend Rick Barry certainly thinks so, as he recently claimed that players like him, Jerry West, and Oscar Robertson would fare much better today due to the amenities provided to modern players.
“If you really understood the game and you really knew what the difference was between when we played and the guys playing here, we had nothing to help us. I didn’t have an agility coach. I didn’t have a dietician. I didn’t travel on charter planes… we didn’t have whirlpools. We didn’t have saunas, and we didn’t have masseuses. If I played today, I would be faster, and I was pretty fast… I would be so much better as a basketball player… The Oscar Robertsons, the Jerry Wests: as good as we were, we would be even better playing today.”
Rick Barry goes on EPIC RANT about his era vs. today’s era. 😳👀 pic.twitter.com/dSpGzUJ1N9
— Joy De’Angela (@joydeangela) August 9, 2023
There is no doubt that this take from Rick Barry has truth to it. The resources provided to players as well as sports science have come a long way since he played basketball, and it is definitely conceivable that Barry would thrive. Barry’s game also seems suited for the modern era, as he was a point forward that could make elite passes and create opportunities for his teammate.
During his career, Rick Barry averaged 24.8 PPG, 6.7 RPG, and 4.9 APG during his career with the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. It would definitely be interesting to see how he would do in the modern era, and it is clear that he is confident about his ability.
Rick Barry Isn’t A Fan Of Modern Officiating
Even though Rick Barry thinks he would do well in the modern game, there are aspects of today’s basketball game that he doesn’t like. Barry previously revealed that he hates the officiating, noting that “players are getting away with murder”.
“Call the damn game according to the rulebook, because players will adjust. Stop the traveling, stop the carrying the ball, stop the moving screens. The players are getting away with murder, and I blame the officials.”
It remains to be seen if anything changes regarding the officiating in the future. Many people agree with Barry and believe that the rules today are too loose, and perhaps that will spark change going forward.
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