Isn't that what HOVA is saying?

I was just going to say that. Looks like the same thing to me...

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This is my signature...

Hmmm.. you have a point.

What I meant to say is that the talent level is simply better now. IMO.

I think so.

The only real positive addition to the talent pool has been the influx of foreign players. However, you've had new teams added which diluted the talent pool. You've had the high school to NBA phenomenon which stunted the growth of many players who sat on benches or failed out of the league. You've seen a decrease in fundamentals in the high school and college levels which carries over to the NBA and helps explain the influx of foreign players who were taught better. You've seen the salary structure fill benches with over the hill players with guaranteed contracts.

Let me put it another way. The best player post-Jordan is a Jordan clone. The second best player post-Jordan is not the most physically gifted but incredibly fundamental and plays a style more reminiscent of a prior era in Tim Duncan. The best young player since Jordan is an athletic freak who can't find a way to beat a bunch of older players that kind of bridge the gap between today and 20 years ago.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

wouldnt the increase in the general population make up for the teams added?

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No way.

Just because the early 90's had a boom of really great NBA players (Jordan, Magic, Bird on their way out, Drexler, Pippen, etc.) doesn't mean that it will forever be the "golden era of the NBA" or something.

You bring up interesting points with the influx of foreign players and the HS athlete movement, but all-in-all the players and athletes in this leage right now are crazy good. Every single team has at least 2 players who can really play and potentially be a superstar with the proper supporting cast; the same cannot be said 20 years ago. Plus, guys 20 years ago didn't take care of their bodies like they do today.

The league was really, really good in the early 90’s. That’s when it started to totally take off and gain a lot of steam. That was the first generation of great talented players coming into the league that weren’t dorky white guys with boring fundamental games. But, now, the players in the league have taken that talent to a totally differently level.

i dunno bout every team having 2 guys who are borderline superstars , in fact there is no way that can be true. boxing had its best fighters many years ago why can that not be true for nba

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90's and prior was a much more Physical NBA. Thats why Jordan said he can score 100 pts now.

Love Rose, but not sure he drives the lane as much if he played against Mahorn, Laimbeer, Salley and Rodman, they each would give him a tech foul and then a few other hard fouls and as good as D Rose is, he would start thinking twice.

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"That's what the internet is for. Slandering others anonymously." Banky
“Been that way since one monkey looked at the sun and told the other monkey ‘He said for you to give me your fuckin’ share.’”

Name two on the Milwaukee Bucks, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Detroit Pistons

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I tend to agree with BRick on this issue. I think if you took some of those players and teams from 20 years ago, with today's Defensive Rules, you would feel the same about the talent on the court today. Not every player was a slow white dude. Plus, we have some of those in the league today that have earned a fair amount of starter's minutes. See White Panther in NOLA. We are watching a different game now. I appreciate(d) both eras and the players from both. It really is a vastly different style of play where the rules changes are a great cause IMO. The rules change also mean that you draft a player more in line with the style of play for that period. The players you like to see now wouldn't necessarily have been the same kind of stud say 20 years ago.

Jennings and Salmons can both play. Kevin Martin and Yao (prior to injury) are solid. John Wall and McGee are ridiculous. Kevin Love and Michael Beasley are annual All-Stars.

And... well, there is nothing ever good about Detroit. So you got me on that one.

...Milwaukee Bucks - Redd is back against the Bulls. Tag him with that geeky white center Bogut and Look out!

Salmons?

The best player in the league right now is Lebron. Who is a physical specimen. He’s incredible in the open court with the ball in his hands. You have guys like Rose, CP3, DWill, Steve Nash who are incredible point guards who can score and distribute. Those guys didn’t exist 20 years ago. You have guys like, DWade, Durant, Melo, and others who are some of the very, very best at their position and there is no comparison whatsoever to guys 20 years ago. Thrown in there the best center we’ve seen since Shaq (Howard) although not as skilled offensively, the best 2 guard we’ve seen since Jordan (Kobe) on his way out soon-ish, the best power forward alive (Duncan) also on his way out soon-ish. Those are some of the very, very top echelon guys in this league right now all of whom have basically no comparison to guys from 20 years ago. They are simply better players. More talented players. Better athletes. Period.

Plus there are guys like Curry, Westbrook, Amar’e, Wall, Griffin, Roy, Aldridge, Gordon, Love, and a bunch of other guys who are also still in their 20’s and are simply really, really good players. Much more talented, and much better athletes than the guys from the 90’s.

Oh, and just because there are more teams doesn’t mean there are fewer talented guys. It means they are spread out more. Which is true. But, like I said, every team has 1 guy, or 2 guys that are really talented and can really play ball.

"can both play" i agree...superstars hell no, not remotely close

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Jennings and Salmons will never be superstars.
Kevin Martin will never be a superstar.
The jury is out on both McGee and Wall
Michaeal Beasley will not be superstar.

Most of the guys you listed would be maybe a 3rd or 4th option on a good team.

Kevin Love and Yao (before injuries) are the only legit stars you listed.

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gary payton tim hardaway > chris paul

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Pick any Finals matchup in the 1990s and you likely have 2 future hall of famers on each side. Can the same be said of the 2000s? I doubt it unless you think the Nets, Sixers, Cavaliers, and Magic had a couple.

If you really want a snapshot of the talent in the league, look at the Dream Team roster vs. all the other Olympic teams. 1992 would dominate them all, and 1996 would be the second best.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Fair enough, that's your opinion. But I wouldn't be surprised if 80% of those guys I listed make the HoF.

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There is no way the 1992 Dream Team "dominates" a Dream Team of Melo, Kobe, LeBron, etc. that won gold recently. Do they win in a 7-game series? Possibly. Dominate? No way.

would be surprised if any of those guys make the hof

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Just stop now, you're embarassing yourself.

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Welp, it's going to happen.

Nope. I'm serious. Not a chance.

So, you are saying that you believe that two of these three players will make the HOF?
Salmons
Kevin Martin
Michael Beasley

That's the only way that 80% of that list makes the HOF.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

Shit, I wouldn't be surprised if guys like Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince get voted in. Those guys both have rings. Plus, we all know that any HoF is really the Hall of the Very Good.

Not trying to pile on so I gotta ask, is this a bit Ugie?

agree with ya on that the hall takes guys who don't deserve it..but prince and rip never happen...on that team billups and rasheed have potential..and doubt both get in... i don't remember yao before the injuries..hasn't he always been hurt every year he has been in the league?

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Not at all.

I absolutely believe that today's NBA is better than it was 20 years ago.

Yao has definitely been injured more than he has been healthy, but MAN was he good. Between 2005-2008 he was basically averaging 20 - 10 each season.