NBA Greats Who Would Have Been Better in Today's Game

The best way to spark up a long-winded debate is to hypothetically insert an athlete from the past into today's era and make the case that they'd still thrive. For some NBA legends, the advancements in professional basketball might even allow them to have more successful careers. 

All athletes are victims of circumstance. That's why fans and writers go through such exhaustive measures to compare the legends of the past to the stars of today. 

How would Babe Ruth have fared against David Price? Could Joe Louis have knocked out Vitali Klitschko? Would Dick Butkus have been able to stop Adrian Peterson dead in his tracks? 

Looking back at how the game of basketball has evolved gives a greater sense of appreciation for the big names of yesteryear. These great men were ahead of their time. They possessed special talents that weren't fully utilized during their day. 

Today's NBA superstars have numerous advantages over the game's pioneers such as the advent of the shot clock, the three-point line and breakthroughs in modern medicine. Even subtle nuances like changes in the way teams travel could have benefited players back in the day. 

This era wouldn't have worked in the favor of every old-timer. Here are a few special cases of players whose career might have changed for the better had they played in today's era.

Bob Lanier

Bob Lanier played for 14 seasons and was an eight-time All-Star. He was one of the league's most dominant big men as a member of the Detroit Pistons during the 70's. For his career, he averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds a game. 

With a solid hook shot and an underrated jumper, Lanier managed to shoot a little over 51 percent from the floor during his time in the pros. He also held his own defensively, notching 1,100 blocks (Note: Blocks weren't an official stat for the first three years of Lanier's career). 

In today's game, the St. Bonaventure would provide something this is sorely lacking: a traditional post-up center. Whether Lanier could handle the speed of the current game is up for debate. However, you would be hard-pressed to find too many bigs that would be able to defend Lanier in the paint. 

At 6'11" and 250 pounds, Lanier has the physique to be a factor inside. With so many teams missing a true center and opting for smaller lineups, there's a good chance he could improve on those career numbers.

On a team that will routinely feed him the ball inside, Lanier could feast on smaller defenders while giving fans plenty of thrilling battles with the likes of Dwight Howard and Marc Gasol. 

Sam Jones

Sam Jones played 12 seasons for the Boston Celtics. He averaged double-digits in scoring every year excluding his rookie season. From 1964-1968, he contributed at least 20 points per game. 

That last stat is impressive for two reasons. First, Jones' best years came during his 30's. Most of today's players experience the primes of their career while they are in their mid-20's. Some fortunate souls have productive seasons as they reach their third decade, but it is very rarely the peak of their career. 

Secondly, Jones didn't have the benefit of a three-point line. A polished shooting guard with a textbook bank shot, the five-time All-Star put up impressive offensive numbers while shooting two's that would have been three's decades later. 

Jones' numbers would get a huge boost in today's game just from the luxury of having the three-point line. The ability to shoot from behind the arc would have increased his career scoring average of 17.7 points per game mightily.

With his long arms and slick jumper, Jones could have been another Richard Hamilton in today's game. He probably doesn't win 10 titles like he did during his days with Boston, but he could be a solid second option on a title contender for many years if he played in 2013.  

David Thompson

Is there a better place for a man known as "Skywalker" than in an NBA filled with high-flying dunkers? David Thompson was the ultimate "could've-should've-would've" guy.

An incredible athlete with a 44" vertical, the former North Carolina State product opened the door for guys like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. He famously scored 73 points against the Detroit Pistons on the final day of the regular season, narrowly losing the scoring title to George Gervin. 

He also battled Julius Erving in the first Slam Dunk contest at the 1976 All-Star Game (which Dr. J won). 

However, drug and alcohol abuse hindered Thompson's career. He played nine seasons (ABA and NBA) for three different teams, but his numbers dipped after the 1980-81 season (when he was only 26). He still managed to finish with a career average of 22.7 points per game. 

Would Thompson have avoided substance problems if he were drafted in 2013 and not 1975? It's hard to say. Still, the league is better prepared to combat drug abuse today than it was during Skywalker's heyday. 

On the court, the 6'4" Thompson could be a lot like Dwyane Wade early in his career: an explosive athlete that filled highlight reels with amazing dunks. He could single-handedly breathe life back into the Slam Dunk Contest. 

He would be like an undersized Vince Carter during Vinsanity's Toronto Raptor days. Thompson was one of the game's greatest talents. In a era bolstered by SportsCenter and YouTube, "Skywalker" could be the household name he should have been during the 70's and 80's. 

Kevin McHale

Kevin McHale was a skilled power forward with a bevy of post moves and amazingly-quick feet. He was a seven-time All-Star and won three championships as a member of the Boston Celtics. 

He also made the All-Defensive Team six times during his career. He averaged nearly 18 points and seven rebounds a game over 13 seasons. 

Like Bob Lanier, McHale's ability to score in the post would be a huge advantage over today's big men. He would have too many tricks in his offensive arsenal for defenders to contain. His defensive ability would make him one of the best two-way forwards in today's game. 

There aren't many forwards that are as crafty as McHale. He had a number of go-to moves including a hook shot he could hit from different angles and a sneaky mid-range jumper. 

It would be interesting to watch someone as lanky and awkward as McHale match up with today's forwards. How would he defend a physical specimen like Blake Griffin? Could Zach Randolph stop MCHale in the paint? His showdowns with Tim Duncan alone would be DVR-worthy. 

McHale still managed to have a Hall of Fame career with the Celtics, but he could be just as dominant (if not, more so) in a league lacking someone with his set of skills. 

Bernard King

Bernard King established himself as one of the game's greatest pure scorers. During the 1984-85 season, he averaged 32.9 points per game as a member of the New York Knicks. It seems far-fetched to think he would fare much better in today's game. 

However, there are a couple reasons King would have benefited more from playing today as opposed to during the 80s.

For starters, in an era dominated by small forwards (LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony) masquerading as power forwards, King would be one of the best small ball big men in the league. 

He would be too skilled offensively for small forwards to contain him and his first step would be too quick for NBA 4's. Could you imagine Bernard King being guarded by someone like Cody Zeller or Ryan Anderson? Better yet, how great of a duel would King vs Anthony be? 

Another factor that would work in King's favor is the advancements in injury rehabilitation. King's career was hampered by knee troubles. He missed the 1985-86 season with a knee injury and never was the same afterward.

Today, players can return from a torn ACL in about a year (or in Adrian Peterson's case, a few months). 

In the 80s, a guy like Greg Oden wouldn't be able to attempt a comeback after a series of gruesome knee injuries. His career would be finished. 

With the right medical staff, King could still be the explosive offensive machine he once was. He would have the luxury of extensive rehab to keep his legs fresh and his career might have been extended a few more years. 

A healthy Bernard King in his prime in an era where teams have struggled to defend guys of his ilk would be scary. Every year would be a scoring crown battle between King, 'Melo, LeBron and Kevin Durant. In the right market, he would be must-see television.

Dave DeBusschere

Dave DeBusschere was another player that would have enjoyed having the three-point line at his disposal. The former Knick was a skilled shooter during his 12-year career. The only problem is he didn't have the luxury of getting an extra point for his long stroke. 

DeBusschere's best season was his final season. He averaged 18.1 points and 10.1 rebounds a game in 1973-74. With a three-point line, perhaps that number jumps up to 21-22 points per game. 

In today's game, he'd be a poor man's Paul Pierce. He could shoot, rebound and defend his position. He's the kind of all-around player that you build franchises around. 

DeBusschere won two championships with the Knicks and became a legend in the Big Apple. For some people, that kind of career is more than enough. 

Still, lack of defensive stat tracking and a three-point line robbed DeBusschere from having a better legacy. In 2013, his sweet-shooting from behind the arc would give his numbers a nice boost and allow his career to have the justice it deserved. 

Bobby Dandridge

Bobby Dandridge was the epitome of solid. He didn't have a particular special skill like Kevin McHale's post moves or David Thompson's vertical. He was never regarded as the best at his position or led the league in any one category. 

He was just a good all-around small forward with a reliable jumper that could defend guys at different positions (from Julius Erving to George Gervin).

He had the intangibles. He could hit big shots (like the game-winner against the Spurs in Game 7 of the 1979 Conference Finals) and played better in the playoffs. Dandridge's career playoff scoring average was 20.1 points per game compared to 19 points in the regular season. 

In today's game, "The Greyhound" could be another Manu Ginobili. He could provide solid offense while still holding his own on the other side of the ball. He may not be a star, but he'd garner more appreciation for his well-rounded game today than he did during the 70s and early 80s.

Bob McAdoo

During the 1970's and 80's, a guy who stood 6'9" and 210 pounds could get away with being an NBA center. In today's game, he would be better suited for a power forward spot. 

In Bob McAdoo's case, he would be an excellent forward/center in an uptempo offense. McAdoo was one of the first big men with a jump shot. In three of his first four seasons in the pros, he led the league in scoring and averaged over 30 points per game. 

He was a five-time All-Star and won the MVP in 1975, but his numbers dwindled once the ABA and NBA merged. The cause could have been the raise in competition. It could also be he wasn't used properly. 

In today's game, it is more common to see big men who can knock down a long jumper or finish strong off of a fast break. If paired with a coach like Mike D'Antoni, McAdoo's lack of ideal bulk would be offset by a quicker pace and more opportunities to score outside of the paint. 

He could be similar to what D'Antoni had with Amare Stoudemire during the Phoenix days or possibly a smaller version of LaMarcus Aldridge. McAdoo was ahead of his time. If placed in a era three decades after his prime, he could finally reach the potential he showed early on. 

Pete Maravich

Pete Maravich was a prolific scorer and another player whose career would have been bolstered by a three-point line. More importantly, "Pistol Pete" was a showman. 

In the open court, there were few guards like him. He made slick passes that you would normally see nowadays on "And-1" mixtapes. It was a joy watching him operate on a fast break, whether he was dishing it off or finishing the play himself. 

In 2013, Maravich would be a bigger Steve Nash. He would light up defenses from the outside, while also thriving in a fast-paced offense that allowed him to show off his creativity. He would be a SportsCenter highlight every time the ball touched his hands. 

The former LSU standout still managed to average 24 points per game during his 10-year career, despite playing before the advent of the three-point shot. With that added dimension to his arsenal, he could raise those scoring numbers up a few points. 

He would also boost his assist numbers (5.4 dimes a game) by playing with a Blake Griffin-type finisher. Imagine "Pistol Pete" in transition and lobbing one up for Dwight Howard or think about how Maravich would set Anthony Davis up. 

Maravich was a legend in his own era, but inserting him into today's game could add some more luster to that legacy. 

Moses Malone

How do you make the case for a 12-time All-Star and three-time MVP having a better career in another era? By placing him in a generation with a crop of centers ill-equipped to stop someone of his magnitude.

Moses Malone averaged 20.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game during his 19-year career in the ABA and NBA. In the 1981-82 season, he put up an astonishing 31.1 points and 14.7 rebounds a night. For nearly two decades, he was an absolute man-child. 

Now, think about what he can do in a league that has, at best, five elite post defenders.

Malone was a mix of Kevin Garnett's tenacity, Kevin Love's rebounding instincts and Dwight Howard's post presence. You couldn't even hope to slow him down at the free-throw line (career 76 percent shooter from the stripe). 

As dominant as Malone was during his era, he could be even more dominant today. Back then, Moses matched up against all-time greats like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bill Walton. In 2013, he would face off against Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol and not much else. 

Do you like Tyson Chandler's chances of boxing out Moses Malone? How about Joakim Noah? Malone had a knack for knowing where to be when the ball was coming off the rim and he knew how to use his body to get position.

He's the kind of physical presence that opposing defenders dread banging bodies with in the paint. 

Basically, he's what Shaquille O'Neal would have been with a little bit more drive. We saw how "The Diesel" dominated the league during his prime. Now, imagine if Shaq was a bit more committed to being the best big man ever and you would get an idea of Moses Malone in 2013.