Top 5 Star Players Who Would DOMINATE the 80s

My list of the modern players who would take the biggest leap forward if you dropped them in the 1980s era.
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The game of Basketball has been my passion since I was 5 years old. I grew up as a kid watching my dad's recorded VHS tapes of playoff games through the 70s and 80s, and collected all the Basketball cards. Something about the game and what it represents just hooked me from a very young age.
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I post videos every week on NBA history, predictions, hypothetical scenarios and current NBA topics.
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[@jonnyarnett]

Who is the modern player that you think takes the biggest leap forward if you drop him in the 80s?

[@bahwar]

Ben Simmons 😊

[@accountant3847]

Giannis, Jimmy, Ant, Kawhi, Bron

[@papa_maku]

Do the players dropped in the 80s have all of their knowledge of the past 40 years of the NBA? A lot of modern superstars/players built their games from the legends before them. If they do, players like Lebron and Steph would run circles around anyone in the 80s. If they don't, pure natural talent/build will be the indicator like Wemby, Jokic and Giannis.

[@ektran4205]

giannis and d lebron would have shot a higher percentage on shot between 10ft and the 3 point line plus thEy would have a better FT%

[@Posesso]

Luka, because he destroys everything you throw at him. Popovich's quote. In the current era, with analytics, many coaches, all trying... I think Luka could win a season there with only two teammates... :P And Jason Williams :)

[@christopherr3676]

1st game against the pistons Joel would be out injured for the next 5 years

[@Fixundfertig1]

Joel ain't playing in the 80's

[@anthonyrashadmd]

Lmmfaoooo

[@onlyfacts3178]

GIANNIS would have 20 TURNOVERS because he cant dribble the ball.

[@pepejr10king]

5 decades😭 he would still be injuried today😭

[@citris_mario5224]

​@onlyfacts3178 when has that ever been a problem?

[@chrilpy]

Embiid is constantly injured despite having access to the best sports medicine and playing in a league that doesn’t allow defenders to be physical. Now imagine him wearing converses and playing in a league that didn’t call flagrant fouls. Instead of getting free throws on almost every play he’d constantly be called for offensive fouls. If he can’t get past Al Horford and Robert Williams he won’t get past Kevin McHale and Robert Parish

[@justinjones9579]

I wanted to argue with you so bad but I cannot.

[@universalplayz7496]

You do realize great player adapt to the game.. His not gonna literally be the same dude if he was popped in the 80s He has all the physical tools needed to dominate any era Like yeah he gets injured but that's something out of ones control Also superstars have been getting super star calls for 5 decades Pretty sure everyone remember the clip of a ref giving mj the foul just cause mj said it was a foul lol

[@primetimesports7901]

In your assessment of the soft league you fail to address the amount the players stretch themselves out on defense. Embiid is constantly switching on to point guards trying to cut on a dime with them. That is tough on your joints. In my opinion Embiid would have a similar career to Patrick Ewing in the 80/90s

[@benlazzopina-wy9om]

you forget that the modern game embiid plays requires lots of awkward movement and mobility which tends to wear on your joints a lot, especially for someone of embiids size. if he's just standing in the post taking fadeaways hes gonna have way less risk of getting injured, and acting like the increased physicality is gonna hurt him when hes 7 foot 300 pounds is crazy

[@codyeble6764]

Converse catching strays

[@pasigiri]

7:32 Yeaaaah. And considering no 3 second rule, Wemby's throwing a block party.

[@justinswinehart5361]

Just looking at KD at 4:14 he takes three steps after his last dribble to get that layup, that's a traveling call right there.

[@ektran4205]

eurostep

[@cobra7282]

Here are some of my issues with this list. Giannis would love the open court opportunities, but would be less effective in the half court due to congested lanes. Embiid and Jokic are currently at an advantage in this current league as teams aren't particularly geared to defend the big man as much as in the past and would meet more resistance in the paint than in the current league. As for Jokic and team play, he plays on a team that focuses on team play right now and that is why he is as impactful as he is. Issue is that he would likely be surrounded by less shooters, limiting his space and giving him tighter spaces to pass into. None of this is to say that these players wouldn't be very good in the 80s, but it may not be as seamless of a fit as it is being made out to be.

[@onlyfacts3178]

GIANNIS cant post up...in the 80s thats a no no... 1st most of his points come from backing down and palm the ball to start running because he can beat the slower defender with that CARRYING...that wasnt going to be allowed..so i doubt that he would even score 20 points... REFS are going to call it..he would end games with 20 turnovers if he kept doing that. 2nd EVEN if he learned how to dribble the ball without carrying and palming the defenders would just handcheck him so he couldnt get around the defenders like he does it now. 3rd EVEN if he get pass the defender he would have another CENTER 7ft guy near the rim to contest his shot..somehting he isnt used in this ERA of EMPTY paint where help comes from 6.6ft PF and 6,5ft skinny SF... AND if all of that failed he would be fouled hard and most of the times he wasnt going to get FT attempts and even if he had he would miss most of them. DONT FORGET that GIANNIS ducks and run and in the 80s that was and offensive foul most of the time...

[@onlyfacts3178]

EMBIID and JOKIC wouldnt dominate players like now with their strenght.. But to me its LUKA he is the one who could be great since he has the body the strength the shooting and the playmaking ability...

[@cobra7282]

@@onlyfacts3178 All of this may very well be the case, but there is no way to know for sure without actually sending them back in a time machine. That's the reason I ended my post the way I did. I have no doubt Giannis' game would be less effective all around in the 80s, but would it be enough that he would no longer be a very good player even? Not completely comfortable making that statement.

[@cobra7282]

@@onlyfacts3178 Yes, but Luka does take advantage of some of those things that you said about Giannis (mainly use of the shoulder on offense). That being said Luka certainly has much stronger fundamentals than Giannis and that would translate nicely. Don't think he would be putting up the gaudy numbers that he is right now, but he would still be a very good player.

[@jxmmykriminallive]

I dont think jokic would have much of an issue w there being less shooters cause there was still guys that liked to shoot, they just liked midrange shots more than threes at the time. he’s such a skilled scorer in the post and from midrange that he would draw multiple defenders in n open up cutting lanes or spot up midrange shots for his teammates

[@Maximillian200HP]

I can agree with all 5. Embiid is iffy given how prone he is to injury, but that's hypothetical. I am curious how much damage Wemby could do as a blocker in that era as well. I'm seriously waiting to see if he starts competing with the great blockers like Hakeem, Mutumbo, Kareem and Mark Eaton.

[@animeguitarguy]

I honestly don't know if Giannis could deal with not being able to travel constantly and I like Giannis

[@onlyfacts3178]

GIANNIS cant post up...in the 80s thats a no no... 1st most of his points come from backing down and palm the ball to start running because he can beat the slower defender with that CARRYING...that wasnt going to be allowed..so i doubt that he would even score 20 points... REFS are going to call it..he would end games with 20 turnovers if he kept doing that. 2nd EVEN if he learned how to dribble the ball without carrying and palming the defenders would just handcheck him so he couldnt get around the defenders like he does it now. 3rd EVEN if he get pass the defender he would have another CENTER 7ft guy near the rim to contest his shot..somehting he isnt used in this ERA of EMPTY paint where help comes from 6.6ft PF and 6,5ft skinny SF... AND if all of that failed he would be fouled hard and most of the times he wasnt going to get FT attempts and even if he had he would miss most of them. DONT FORGET that GIANNIS ducks and run and in the 80s that was and offensive foul most of the time...

[@southwest1988]

Dribbling would be a major issue for any star since the game today really diluted 😂😂😂

[@CrushWildman]

It literally wouldn’t tho😐😐it would only take getting called for carrying twice to get their shit together it’s almost like you ppl be slow

[@dbzfan4evermj233]

I think lebron or Luka could adapt well imo

[@maxpennacchini3261]

It’s crazy to think that someone who’s job it is to play basketball professionally wouldn’t be able to adapt almost immediately to slightly different rules

[@southwest1988]

@@maxpennacchini3261 that’s how diluted the game is today in the nba 😂 flopping etc

[@southwest1988]

@@dbzfan4evermj233 luka to slow he carry the ball no defense at all and Lebalco would have to get on the old juice 🧃 as Lebron got older dribbling got more like a toddler

[@hookseybaby]

7-8 blocks per game average sounds soooooooo insane...lmfao... great video as always Sir Jonny

[@mikaelmuehlbauer7909]

Can u do a video of the reverse?

[@jayanthsambaraju6562]

Steve Nash, Mark Price, Ray Allen, Dirk, basically any shooter from previous eras would eat in todays league imo

[@mikaelmuehlbauer7909]

My money is on AI. He was throwing his body into bigs in the paint in order to score

[@c99kfm]

1. Bird. Give him modern medicine to fix his back, and watch what he can do without "limiters". 2. Dale Ellis. 2. Mark Price. 2. Michael Cooper. - All three were well ahead of their time in 3-pointers, which would fit the modern league perfectly. 5. Danny Ainge. Not only a 3-point shooter (44.3% in 86-87), but a notorious flopper, which would honestly fit the modern league even better, but I just don't want to give the #2 spot to a flopper.

[@kannon1610]

Id be into seeing every conceivable combination of eras this way. Like what 60s players would have remained good in the 90s or 2000s or what 2000s players would still be good now etc

[@1vaultdweller]

@@jayanthsambaraju6562 Nah, back then defenses camped in paint leaving the perimeter wide open and they still couldnt connect 3 pointers

[@adrenalineunlimited]

Why you gotta call that boy Fat by his government like that?

[@jasonnelson6624]

I heard it and thought who? Then I heard lever. Oh fat. Who struggles to pronounce fat? I didn't even remember Lafayette was his name. 😂

[@maxdobasquete]

Man... you NAILED the comparisson about Alex English and KEVIN DURANT!!! Fun fact: same as KD I was born on september 29th as well...

[@adrenalineunlimited]

I don't know that KD would be allowed to get in his bag like that in ages past-- a sentiment that KD agrees with, famously having listed himself as being shorter than he is in order to try to avoid being listed as a post player. I think the 80s would have been tough for KD, simply due to the culture.

[@googlyeyes3534]

If derozan played in the 80s he would be the 3rd jordan copy

[@onlyfacts3178]

or a J.STACKHOUSE of the 90s...

[@Irfanhill]

Love your picks, but the issue for Durant is that he would certainly be played as center in the 1980s ans asked to bulk up, he would not have started as a 2 or 3. Embiid with 80s' playing conditions healthwise, as well as the way it was played, would likely get hurt even more often.

[@gavinvandraven]

Zion would be a beast in the 80’s, he’s like a bouncier, quicker, more powerful Barkley/Larry Johnson with handles. He’s always going for highlight blocks and steals. He’s made for the fast break and would be tearing down backwards before Shaq could force engineers to change how they were constructed. That is, if he could stay healthy and not get out of shape.

[@erosrleite3442]

Wemby is basically a healty and young Arvydas Sabonis! He would be insane in the 80's

[@RPGabe]

I do think Wemby would have had more blocks in the 80's, but people misunderstand the numbers. Yes 3 pointers are up, but so are shots at the basket. It's the midrange shot which has vanished. Now that said, Wemby blocks a fair share of mid range jumpers too, lol

[@maxdobasquete]

Just remembering FAT LEVER earns the LIKE on your video! Keep up your great work!!!

[@DeeReeseBeats]

I like these types of videos Shows that you're more level headed than most of the older fans and newer fans Fair on both sides

[@alex4833]

Great video, Jonny! The 80s is one of my favorite decades of NBA history to learn more about, so it was great getting to learn even more through your video today. I especially like how you showed examples of 80s players with similar styles, like Alex English and how he's similar to KD. I was initially surprised both to see Wemby and him being #1 on this list. However, your argument is solid and convincing. It's amazing how he's averaging 20-10-3.5 in less than 30 MPG. I agree that he would bring excellent shot blocking. I agree also that his handles and vision would be great assets also. One concern that I do have though is how he would fare against the more physical defense. As you mentioned with Giannis, the flagrant foul wasn't introduced yet and I'm sure Wemby would be fouled hard. He's a good free throw shooter, but I wonder how much his body (especially given how he's 7'4 and how other players who were so tall, like Yao Ming, had career-hampering injuries) could take hard fouls if he were to play in the 80s. Still, you make a solid case and I think it would've been fun to see Wemby play then. Have a wonderful weekend :). Take care.

[@Alexsmh]

Demar would go hard in the 80s with all the middies tho

[@tomfurey9062]

I really enjoyed this video and would like to see some of nearly the opposite subject too Like which 80s legends style would struggle today and which of today's best players styles would struggle in the 80s.

[@guillermoanic]

Most great players would still be great in any era. It would be very interested to see a list of good players today who would not do so well in the 80s

[@1KSarah]

Thanks for mentioning the fast pace of 80's basketball. Today's youngsters created a false narrative that goes like this: “Basketball today has evolved in nutrition, medical care and training methods, and is much faster than old days basketball.” Although progress has been made, the pace difference is a myth. They have no clue what “run and gun” was.

[@John-ct9zs]

For real! I hate hearing these kids and their "well we have better nutrition and exercise technology today" And I'm like what exactly? "Well we have smartphones bruh". Then you call them out on how dumb that shit is and all they have left is "OK Boomer".

[@1vaultdweller]

Actually its the old heads saying 80s were defense oriented.... when in fact it was as much as offense oriented as today but without 3 pt shooting

[@JustLikeHeaven77]

​@1vaultdweller By the time you're my age, the world will be in chaos.

[@1vaultdweller]

@@JustLikeHeaven77 Weak ad hominem response is weak

[@JustLikeHeaven77]

@@1vaultdweller You're going to get what's coming to you.

[@jk8190]

Victor is a bad fit for 80s, simply because of how aggeessive players were back there. He would be fouled so much that his body wouldn't be able to withstand it

[@alexlanza79]

Great video, I agree with your picks! Wemby in particular looks a lot like Kareem, if he can stay heatly and become bigger I think we will be looking to one of the best 3 or 4 centers of all time! I love Giannis, but I'm so glad you talked about the travelling as it's become a plague these days and if it's true the referees in the 80s and 90s use to look the other way some times when some superstars like MJ did something (like some offensive fouls or maybe some fouls against defenders which were almost no fouls at all) but still carrying and travels in the 80s and 90s and even 2000 were called much much more than today and to me it's a big problem to solve, even bigger than load management to me 'cause it's about rules and travelling in particular is still very easy to understand and still written inside the current rule book of the NBA!

[@fredbates4452]

I was worried who you were going to pick, but that was a good 5 players who would translate to a different era. I think the most difficult hump to get over would be health. I don’t know how well Embiid would hold up in a more physical era when he’s already often injured in this era. But that aside, he would fit right in with those great Centers in the 80’s. Plus he’d get much more appreciation for his defense because there was a heavier emphasis on defense. I think it’s a little premature on Wembanyana, only because we just don’t know if his body will hold up. History is against him and he looks like he lands awkwardly when he jumps. Outside of that, there is a bit of a nostalgic feel about Wembanyama’s game. I hope he’s able to stay healthy because I’d love to see how his game blossoms. Great stuff as always Jonny! 👍🏻🇺🇸

[@gotwobag7876]

ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY FOUR THOUSAND!!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@futurefox635]

You the real goat

[@Jay_draco]

Idk if you’ve done this already but I’d like to see a top 5/10 flashiest players of all time video

[@kenari5763]

09:25 “That’s an additional 64 shots that a guy like Wemby won’t have a shot at contesting”. Well, yes, if you assume that he would try to block his own team’s shots.

[@luismiguelrodriguez6709]

Jonny I think that this video could benefit a lot if you analise non star players, because most of star players would be insanely good in any era, and role players or above average players could benefit more in a more specific context. I really like your channel, grettings from Spain

[@eljefe6161]

I'm not mad at the list, all these guys have either won an MVP and in the case of Victor I think WILL, when I think about this topic I think about guys that are not at that level whose legacy would take a huge boost and I think of somebody like DeMar DeRozan play who if he played in the 80s or I guess maybe more particularly had his prime in the 00s would be thought of a lot more highly

[@reaurt]

Nice list, I don't disagree. It would be interesting to do a part 2 for this video, restricting it to players under 6'11". Everyone on this list is really tall.

[@Himmyjewett]

1. Jayson Tatum 2 way 3 level score and can playmake 2. Zion 6'6 power forward literally just chuck 3. Shai decent defender and great finisher and mid range shooter 4. Curry with man to man defense he would kill defenders with off ball movement 5. Luka, literally just a scoring magic Johnson

[@markjackson6431]

if KAT played in the 80s, people would be saying he’s the American version of Arvydas Sabonis

[@catalogueboys2538]

With his trash ass defense, hell nah. Offensively too he's highly overrated. The only thing he does well is shoot threes. There's a lot more to offense as a big man, like playing as a roll man, post play, boxing out, rebounding, etc and he's mid in most of them.

[@aswanwilliam]

Yeah he would dominate

[@davonjohnson178]

Most of the players today would be just fine in the 80s

[@joeyjo-joshabadu9636]

Exactly, they're the best athletes in the world: they would adjust.

[@naviya7779]

​​@@joeyjo-joshabadu9636 Nah I think the point is with the skillset and playstyle they currently have, and see how that could transfer into the 80s games

[@WcoopW]

Problem for durant would be that coaches would probably most likely put him under the rim because hes so freakishly tall. Not at the wing like he does now

[@mr.longjohn0014]

even in the 90’s if a coach saw how KD could move and shoot there’s no shot they’d try and turn him into a post up under the rim guy.

[@Himmyjewett]

INCORRECT, no basketball coach is that stupid

[@JJPHILLYLG]

Kevin Love or The Joker when it comes to outlet passes?

[@kevinhouse4376]

And don't forget Wes Unseld and Bill Walton with their outlet passes.

[@pepejr10king]

In europe the drinking age is 18 for most places

[@yvans.]

Yeah but the NBA isn’t taking place over there

[@markjackson6431]

a video on what if the IBM Award was given to the truly most statistical impactful player a video on what if the ABA MVP was given to the best player

[@lilpenny1982]

My Top 5: #1 Giannis #2 LBJ #3 Jokic #4 Embiid #5 Russell Westbrook

[@MrTrueCaller619]

I just noticed hoopers Wemby blocked in this rookie season, SGA, KD, BOOKER, GIANNIS, LBJ ... 🤯 Just from this short unrelated video

[@user-jy3lj1yq3h]

Every player from today would dominate in the 80s

[@shreyash130]

Jimmy butler would also be remarkable in 80s

[@unnaturalselection8330]

Today's players trying to play in the 80s would have to overcome the fact that fouls are going to rain, carries, charges, illegal screens and travels will be called, flops will be ignored or laughed at, defense MUST be played if you want time in the game. Some could adjust and some would ride the pine.

[@brianholleran6340]

kd and wemby woulf have massive issues with ball handling rules and physical play... for that matter so would the greek freek... cant shoot or do ft. and he would have issues without steroids.

[@mr.longjohn0014]

You just said a bunch of nothing lol

[@1vaultdweller]

Physical play? 5-6 feet 133 lbs midget Spud Webb did fine back then, KD is killing it

[@exiledknight3961]

Embiid would struggle without the ability to flop

[@kannon1610]

I would throw Curry into the conversation. The playstyle of the time was not emphasizing the 3pt shot but his degree of mastery of that weapon would probably convince any coach who could figure out some very simple math that they should green light him to shoot at crazy volume from 3, and that would radically floor raise any team who could fit him on their roster.

[@Noin007]

The worry with Curry would be his ankles. Those shoes, the lesser healthcare, etc…

[@kannon1610]

@Noin007 i dont think it would make a huge difference, especially given how much slower half-court actions were back then. The transition pace may have been very high, but the spacing of the modern NBA and the speed and tight turn radius required to successfully execute a lot of modern offensive attacks puts much more torque on joints than in previous eras. I think the fact that he is successful under those conditions would indicate that he could handle a lower degree of wear on his body despite worse equipment and recovery methods.

[@Noin007]

@@kannon1610 His career was in serious question early on with everything now. I'd be really about 50/50 on it. Heads he's revolutionizing the game 30 years sooner, tails his career is over before he turned 25.

[@cobra7282]

He would take like 2 long range threes and be immediately pulled from the game back then. He would also have a harder time creating space with his handle with the added physicality of perimeter defenders.

[@MarkLaw13]

Unfortunately you can't include Steph cos the 3 ball was frown upon.

[@SonnyK248]

There are hundreds playing today who would dominate the 80's 🤣

[@Joker-lv2rf]

The fact that you don’t have Lebron on this list is a complete abomination

[@limonator8280]

All of them. Even Jordan Poole would be a legend.

[@Fixundfertig1]

No Kyrie!?? 🤯

[@prozitaitir7356]

He fits more in the late 90’s with ai cuz of less carrying call

[@kiroman911]

Who is an average player now that would be an all star in the 80s or 90s?

[@eddieG667]

The question is, WHEN do you put them into the 80s? Because there are so many paradoxes if they were born in the late 60s to be a college player in the early 80s and then a pro. If you have them grow up in the same period, they’re trajectory would be totally different. Durant would likely be asked by his coaches to set up down low and be a center. So he wouldn’t have that shooting touch because they wouldn’t allow him to shoot 3s. Guys like Jokic might not even be playing basketball because basketball wasn’t that popular internationally yet. This is the problem with kids saying “__ will cook everybody in the 80s” and also old heads saying their guy would dominate todays soft era. The old guys would likely be soft today

[@wtf1447]

Jokic will be what Magic is to the lakers to his team in the 80s

[@kfnccook]

Thank God he actually admitted people travel way.More in the days league 😅

[@axelgiosido4997]

@jonnyarnett, hey Jonny here are my suggestions. I don't know if you agree with me. Lebron - though I know he's old now, but let's say in his early 30s, he would thrive. the same reasons you gave to Giannis, is the same with Lebron, but he's like Magic as well, who can distribute as good as his finishing ability. Luka - A Larry Bird v.2, need we say more? Yes I know Luka is not as good as a defender as Larry was, and maybe one thing about Luka is we think that he's not as tough as Larry, but man, Luka has that dog in him. You can see it. Demar Derozan - A midrange maestro who can also fly above the rim. The 80s are full of players like Demar.

[@johnnelsongalvan3941]

Kevin Love have the argument to be the best outler passer beside Nilola Jokic.

[@reecenorwood8377]

I think Kyrie and Luka would be fine in the 80s. Kyrie is a good enough ball handler to take players down without carrying or traveling. Luka is a 2020s Larry Bird

[@alejanoelallen1952]

🏀

[@mysupremecream2692]

You could say Joel thrived better in this era cause of the scoring volume and 3pt attempts for bigs

[@shaquille7414]

To be honest I like this list and yeah wemby would probably do better he’d be like a taller skinny shaq who could shoot because in shaqs rookie season he averaged 22 13 and 3.5 blocks which are a bit better but similar to wembys stats

[@juliusjones2487]

I can see KD flourishing, but he’d have to toughen up considerably. Guys like Coop, Pippen, and Moncreif would give him the flux.

[@cumbusta9175]

That’s not gonna mean everything💀 kd 7feet with the skill set of a guard, pippen and Moncreif would both get n efficient 40 dropped on there head

[@juliusjones2487]

@@cumbusta9175 don’t get me wrong, KD is great. All time great. But his weakness is defenders that can get up in his grill. Always has been. When faced with a hard nosed perimeter defender, he shrinks. Maybe 40 over 2 games. That and they also called carry back in the 80’s too.

[@coldsnap5742]

Of course they would. Defense is so much stronger under those rules that they'd be forced to raise their game to overcome it. It's why Luka Doncic said the NBA, supposedly the most elite league in the world, is easier to score in that Euroleague. Also why I hate this era. So much missed potential. These players should be EVEN BETTER than they are, but they've never had to overcome real resistance.

[@NaptownsClassic]

Anthony Edwards is basically a clone of young Michael Jordan. Their rivalry would be epic

[@IsmaelNoria]

I dont see those players vs handcheck

[@1vaultdweller]

I saw Muggsy Bogues and Spud Webb vs handchecking... It is the most overrated rule ever

[@user-ww5zt9zt4s]

Players today get injured without play hard so imagine in the 80 or 90 ,Jokic is good offensively but defensively he is poor and back in the days you need to play a good defense

[@lovinv08]

Ikr

[@aljongreat1900]

Embiid would be worse, the physicality in the 80s would make him more injured, plus his competition in the paint is much much tougher with guys like kareem, hakeem, moses malone, eaton, etc.... and the strict dribbling rules. Honestly do you think coaches back then would allow embiid to take a 3????

[@noobmaster-wg4no]

embiid isn’t a ball handler so the dribbling rules won’t affect him and you act like he doesn’t face incredible rim protectors today. and about the coaches not letting him take threes what are they gonna do? bench him?😂

[@frankincensemerchant1284]

@@noobmaster-wg4no A lot of this stems from not valuing modern defenders like Gobert, AD, etc. all of whom are elite defenders in their own right. This then gives the false impression that players like Embiid couldn't face 80's competion despite having a a much wider offensive arsenal.

[@noobmaster-wg4no]

@@frankincensemerchant1284 exactly

[@realsciencerhythm]

Rules have changed since then. Just on the first clip Luka would be called for travelling. Keep that in mind at all times making these kinds of comparisons.

[@yulifadida6661]

Giannis Embiid Haliburton Derozan Westbrook

[@Youraveragebasketballfan]

I think lebron would be one of the best of the 80's if be played in that era

[@noobmaster-wg4no]

he’d be the best player in the 80s no doubt

[@user-bk5qi1kx8p]

Embiid would be hurt all the time having to bang down low. No way

[@zorskins]

KD be looking for a trade to the Lakers and Embid be injured 80% of the season with the fouls

[@MJIZZEL]

All would have their games more diminished due to traveling violations.

[@demarkusondatrack5646]

Wembanyama would be the greatest defender in NBA history if you dropped him in the 80s and 90s😂

[@southwest1988]

Current players with the current skill set they have and you drop them in the 80s with no flagrant fouls and rules are actually enforced well they will have a lot more TURNOVERS TURNOVERS TURNOVERS 😂😂😂😂

[@Byk37]

Embiid would be gassed in the first quarter, get injured in the second and amount of caring and double dribbling would be laughable

[@onlyfacts3178]

EMBIID would be like EWING...

[@Jimyjonson]

I wouldn’t put wemby in the top 3. His stick body would get snapped, and he would be injured like every other game

[@anthonyv7910]

Going back just a little but Carmelo King James Dwade Ebbing Durant

[@aidangibbons4131]

Great video! You should to an inverse version - players whose games don't translate to a given era

[@conduitofthegospeldarrellb9154]

Giannis, Jokic, Kawhi, Zion and Edwards would be GREAT if not BETTER in the 80’s.

[@DuranmanX]

Best player of the 20s is 2nd best player of the 80s Best player of the 30s is the 1st best player of the 80s

[@charlesirwinpacheco94]

Teams can adjust to cover jokic. Embid would be injured. Giannis would dominate. Also Durant. Wemby would be Wemby.

[@mrtotheextreme]

Surprised Curry isn't on here. There wasn't as much emphasis on 3 point shooting in the 80s so players trained far less to defend against it. I just don't imagine 80s NBA really having an answer for his sharpshooting capabilities.

[@JustLikeHeaven77]

Curry doesn't play defence.

[@noobmaster-wg4no]

@@JustLikeHeaven77casual take

[@onlyfacts3178]

WEMBY would be a smaller S.BRADLEY in the 90s or a weaker YAO on the 00s. WEMBY cant even play against SENGUN who scored 45 points on him and got 5 steals. EVERY BIG with a large body in EUROPE demolishes WEMBY.. WEMBY cant even have a 40% FG game against BIGGER BODIES...

[@Himmyjewett]

Sengun is a really good player the fuck

[@razzy5900]

embiid would be in goat debates the way defense was played back then like dawg evb over hypes the defense and says “oh oh uhhh physicality” like bro what? have you seen the way they played ZONE DEFENSES BRO. i promise any superstar from the modern era even with the added physicality from back then is averaging 36-40 a game due to spacing and js shooting like is everyone js dumb??

[@Chuggsability]

Manute Bol lmao

[@charlesjohnson536]

ALL-TIME GREAT PLAYERS .. WOULD BE ALL-TIME GREAT PLAYERS .. IN ANY ERA ..

[@daddytyron3]

enough said.

[@Tyrannosaurus_STFU_III]

They aren't "all-time greats" if they're great in a league that doesn't enforce some of the most basic rules of basketball.

[@noobmaster-wg4no]

@@Tyrannosaurus_STFU_IIIyou clearly don’t watch basketball if this is what you think.

[@averyce2]

AWESOME Video!! Lets sub Joel Embiid for Jimmy Butler

[@georgiosgrigoriadis6200]

Giannis having success in the 80's is completely delusional. The guy has flaws in his game, he can't shoot and doesn't have post moves . The paint was packed back then and he wouldn't be able to operate. He may average about 15-16 points from fastbreaks and nothing else. We are watching basketball for more than 30 years, don't try to fool us with this stuff

[@noobmaster-wg4no]

if gianni’s is averaging 30 points in this league then he is easily dominating the 80s😂

[@georgiosgrigoriadis6200]

@@noobmaster-wg4no no. The 80's were not fastbreaks only. The half court offenses were not relying on threes like today, but on post plays and mid range shots. The paint was packed. He doesn't have a post game or a mid range game, so aside of finishing on open court, he would had his difficulties

[@WcoopW]

Any iso player is going to do great with only one guy on him. Ex: kd kyrie. Curry would let it fly every time

[@user-cn8nu6lq4w]

curry would get dookied on. Without the 3 ball he's nothing, and the 80s wasn't much for threes.

[@jellybeans336]

you really think the Slim Reaper would be anywhere near as successful in the 80s? add 40lbs of muscle and stop him from cupping the ball to his chest every damn dribble, its physically impossible for him to be a perimeter oriented ball handler. KD has mediocre handles, he relies entirely on cupping, staggering and carrying to face up. he has great footwork though and absolute best case he'd match prime Dirk's numbers, he aint ever touching 30ppg in his life

[@noobmaster-wg4no]

KD is averaging 30 ppg in the most skilled era of basketball. how would he not dominate the 80s?

[@jellybeans336]

@@noobmaster-wg4no 1st todays scoring is the most inflated its ever been, 2nd i didnt say he couldnt dominate i said he couldnt have the same playstyle and would have to base his style around post play. he'd have to play like a combo of Dirk and Hakeem. post players based on finesse rarely score over 30ppg

[@Opium64]

Players wouldn’t play the same being raised in 1960 gotta think about it lebron would be a plumber playing in 1950 but I get its for entertainment

[@ionlawrence4401]

Embid sells calls, and the refs wouldn´t buy it. Most of today´s players would struggle with traveling and carry calls.

[@stefsmurf]

10:38 Lebron absolutely wouldn't be nearly as effective in the 80s. His biggest ability is availability, and a lot of time he takes to get himself right wouldn't be accepted at that time. If I had to put in my top 5 better in the 80s than now, I'd have (in any order): Victor Wembanyama Embiid DeMar DeRozan Rudy Gobert Al Horford Almost all the big guys would be more effective with their defensives, and not have to focus on offense nearly as much, which benefits Embiid, Victor and Rudy. But except for Rudy, they would help spread the floor more, which would help with flow a lot. They both are decent ball movers, and better yet, can handle the ball for small stretches even if they didn't move the ball for possessions. For DeMar, who doesn't have 3 point range, he wouldn't be expected to shoot as much as farther away than he wants to. He'd be allowed to shot his 17-19 footers to his heart's desire. He'd be more in line of a Bernard King, and his quickness would be a benefit to getting to the hoop. Al would be like Sam Perkins or Terry Cummings, a better assemble piece instead of the focus like he was put into for a couple of years in ATL. I think he prefers to play within a system better, or at least, he does better when he's not the main focus. With how much the ball moves and the pace, I believe he would thrive.

[@noobmaster-wg4no]

lebron would average a 35 point triple double in the 80s…

[@Bilious303]

All the carries and travels would be called. They'd just turn the ball over all game.

[@mtxumi]

they’d adjust

[@keithbogansburner4343]

That’s like saying “all older players would foul out cause no hand check”. We’re assuming great players would adjust when doing these thought experiments.

[@ispeakfactsbruh]

So they can adjust but older players couldn’t smh

[@mtxumi]

@@ispeakfactsbruh no one even said that 😭

[@aliasname4251]

i doubt wemby would last, they would chop him down at the knees like ralph sampson.