Charles Barkley would have ‘killed’ Draymond Green in 80’s basketball
Draymond Green and Anthony Edwards would have struggled in Charles Barkley's 80's and 90's era of basketball.
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Draymond Green would have had to face the fury from Charles Barkley and other in 80's and 90's basketball
The debate between who is better between the current generation of basketball players and those of the past has been raging with every new season. Charles Barkley understands where Anthony Edwards is coming from when he suggested current players are more skilled, but he also knows these skilled players could not play during his time.
Those days were defined by physicality. The best of the best players were those that could take the hits and still play elite basketball. Nowadays, hard screens are a strong no no, so is hand checking and mere contact draws a whistle.
Up until the early 2000’s, basketball in the NBA was so physical that only a handful of Europeans were successful. In comparison, most of the top 10 players in the league now are non-Americans. The lack of physicality also makes current players ‘soft’.
On The Mark Jackson Show, Charles Barkley was asked if players from his generation could play in today’s highly skilled NBA. The Hall of Famer retorted by suggesting a counter situation involving Anthony Edwards and Draymond Green.
Anthony Edwards is a really good player. But I would love to have him chase Reggie Miller around all those picks and hit by a serious pick. These guys, they don’t want that physicality. Draymond Green is a really good player. They better not put that little man up against me and Karl Malone, we’re gonna kill him.
Charles Barkley on The Mark Jackson Show
Charles Barkley suggested that the likes of Anthony Edwards and Draymond Green will not be able to play to their current standards had they faced the physicality of 80’s and 90’s basketball. He feels the skill is what makes them good, but they lack the toughness of the yesteryears.
Charles Barkley used to worry about physicality during his era
The ‘Round Mound of Rebound’ has competed against the best of the best players from the 80’s and 90’s. He himself was a physical specimen to play against and has been in numerous altercations. But there were times even he was worried of being hurt.
Anytime we played them damn Detroit Pistons, I used to call my family and say, ‘Hey, if I never see y’all again, I love y’all’. Them boys were flat out there trying to hurt people.
Charles Barkley on The Mark Jackson Show
The ‘Bad Boy’ Pistons were a team that many feared going into battle. But for Charles Barkley to reveal this suggests it was difficult for them as players too. It emphasizes that basketball in those days often left many people hurt.
Those who could take the beating and come out on top are Hall of Famers. Barkley added that he did not imply that basketball during his times was better, it was just different. The athleticism and skill of today’s game has given fans a different level of entertainment.
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Joseph Varghese
(2163 Articles Published)