put together your best 5 ( NBA TEAM )

[King Glorious]

Originally Posted by Cannon Shell

Didn't stop you from putting Hakeem and Russell in as forwards when both were centers.

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?

[Cannon Shell]

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?

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

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?

I think Russell could certainly play but agree on the numbers. His timing on D cant be taught. Roberston absolutley. West... I swear I dont think the guy ever dribbled with his left hand. His handles going left... bad. Chamberlain could play, but not dominate, which I think is very obvious. Baylor definitley played a modern game. Seeing he is not Barkley, the boards would not come as easily.
Speaking of... Barkley is really the freak. A 6' 5" power forward. Never seen a guy that "small" with that strength. Rodman is mentioned but he really was a specialist. Barkley could do about everything.