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Originally Posted by King Glorious
True. In the case of both of those guys, especially Russell, I think they could be equally comfortable at the big forward spot. Russell was a center during his era but could not be one in today's NBA, I don't think. Guys like Bynum, Howard, Ming, Shaq, Ilgauskas......they are just too big and strong for him. I believe Russell was around 6-9, 220 or so. He fit in well with other big men of his era but would be way undersized today. I see him in today's game as something like a Rodman type but a better shot-blocker. I've always wondered what Shaq and Hakeem's numbers would look like if they were playing in Chamberlain and Russell's spots and vice-versa. I think Shaq and Hakeem would have dominated even more than the older guys did and I don't know if Chamberlain and Russell could have matched the numbers of the younger guys.
That brings me to another question. Which players from pre-1970 do you all think could have played successfully in today's game and how well do you think they would do? I think a guy like Robertson could play but I doubt he'd be going for 30-10-10 a year like he did then. Maravich could definitely play and be a great player now. Baylor and West could play but I don't think they'd have close to the same numbers they did then, especially Baylor. It's hard for me to see a 6-5 guy going for 17 boards a game. No way Chamberlain or Russell would come close to the numbers they did then but both could play and be really good. Who are some others?
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All of what you said may be true but they were still Centers
The problem with comparing eras is that people are simply a lot bigger now than they were 40 years ago. NFL lineman were 235 or 240, 6'3 guys could play forward, etc.
Jerry West would probably have been a better version of Jeff hornachek
Robertson would be like Deron williams
Baylor would be like a better version of Gerald Wallace (who is good even if noone knows who he is)
Rick Barry could play now as well