Would Michael Jordan Dominate the Modern NBA?

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player to ever live. There is no denying that. He was a perfectionist on the court and flawlessly marketed off it.

Jordan came along at a time when the NBA needed someone to push them over the hump. The technological age was being born, and Michael Jordan showed up right in time to take advantage. Households were now able to watch basketball games more than once a week. Nike was becoming a force in athletics, and the legends of the past were a little past their prime.

Jordan captivated the NBA with his breathtaking dunks and high-flying heroics. More than that, he was a winner and the most clutch performer in NBA history (sorry Jerry West). Jordan's prime lasted his whole career, and no other player will ever be able to say the same.

With the above being said, a new question faces Michael Jordan. Would Jordan dominate the players of this generation? The answer you are screaming at me is "of course." I, too, used to believe such a thing, but upon looking at the players of this era, I have to disagree.

Michael Jordan won against the likes of Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing and a host of other notable Hall Of Famers. That era accomplished many things and should be applauded for doing so.

This generation of players, however, may go down in history as the best to ever play in the NBA. If you don't believe me, I'll let the names speak for themselves. Starting with the year 2000, here are some of the athletes who played in their primes with no Michael Jordan around:

Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Kevin Garnett, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and Dwight Howard

There you have it. To say Jordan would dominate this era would be preposterous. The athletes of today are faster, bigger, stronger and stacked on every team. Jordan played at a time when Greg Ostertag and Will Perdue were starting centers in the NBA. Which team would those two start on in this era?

Michael Jordan never faced a seven-footer who shoots three-pointers and one-legged fade-aways. He never faced Shaq in his prime, who dominated with the one-two punch of himself and Kobe Bryant. Jordan never had to deal with a 6'8", 250-pound player who dunks, passes, shoots, defends and rebounds all at an extraordinary level. He never faced the brilliance of "Flash" or the defense of Dwight Howard.

You're free to take players like Barkley, Ewing and Reggie Miller; just know I'm taking "The Black Mamba," "King James" and "Superman."