Basketball - What former players get completely WRONG about today's NBA
Former players aren’t entirely wrong when they say today’s NBA is less physical. There’s no doubt that hand-checking rules, flagrant foul regulations, and an increased emphasis on offensive flow have changed the way the game is played. In past eras, you had to fight through brutal contact just to get a clean look, and driving into the paint often meant absorbing a hard foul with no guarantee of a whistle. That kind of toughness bred a different mindset—one where players prided themselves on imposing their will physically. But while today’s game may not have the same level of brute force, it demands a different kind of endurance. The constant movement, high-paced offense, and extended shooting range mean that players are running more than ever, covering more space, and having to defend in ways that previous generations never had to consider. The physicality hasn’t disappeared—it has just evolved.
The critique of modern defense is also understandable. In the past, teams could slow the game down and grind opponents into submission with hand-checking and post battles. Defenders had more freedom to be aggressive without worrying about ticky-tack fouls. But while today’s rules favor offense, it’s a mistake to assume that defense has become irrelevant. In fact, modern defensive schemes are arguably more complex, relying on speed, rotations, and switching at a level that old-school teams never had to deal with. Today’s defenders are tasked with guarding multiple positions, closing out on three-point shooters faster than ever, and adapting to sophisticated offensive sets that stretch them to their limits. The game may not be as physically punishing, but it demands just as much—if not more—discipline, strategy, and versatility.
And when former players claim that today’s stars wouldn’t survive in their era, they’re forgetting one crucial fact—NBA athletes evolve with the game. Just as the legends of the past adapted to their own challenges, today’s players would adjust to a more physical league if they had to. The skill level now is off the charts—players are bigger, stronger, and more well-rounded than ever before. Someone like LeBron James would have thrived in any generation, just as a prime Shaquille O’Neal would still dominate today. The reality is, every era has its unique challenges, and great players find ways to rise above them. Rather than arguing over which generation was better, it’s more exciting to appreciate how the game has transformed—because whether it’s the physical battles of the ‘90s or the skill explosion of today, the NBA has always been home to some of the most elite athletes in the world.
