Both Thomas and 'Zeke dominated, though. The latter was the best player on a team that won two titles. If those guys had that degree of success in the hand check era, I have a hard time seeing how Curry wouldn't, especially when you consider that he's bigger, has a better handle, and is a better shooter than either of them.LookAway wrote:Players don't play as smart on either end of the floor so of course defense would be affected.rtiff68 wrote:So you're arguing that defenses used to be intellectually superior? Not to put words in your mouth, but when I read that it tells me that you're saying that defenses used to be more sophisticated and/or complicated, and that couldn't be further from the truth.LookAway wrote:
Jordan was different the NBA made it easier for Jordan after changing the contact rules. If Detroit could still abuse him, he'd would be ringless. Defenses had the formula for stopping the Jordan type (Dr. J, Drexler etc)
His team plays great defense, he plays seventh in that scheme. His defense is a little better than porous but his great shooting makes it matter less.
The average NBA talent is the same as always, but who is currently the best defensive pg? We have a lot of Rafer Alston pg's now and no Gary Payton. Physical talent is at an all time high, but intellect has fallen off
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Team defenses did used to be more physical (although the extent to which they were is often greatly exaggerated), but they were also far more simplistic and not necessarily more effective overall. Mark Price thrashed defenses during the hand check era, and he was 6'0, 170lbs and not particularly muscular. Isiah Thomas did the same at a whopping 6'1, 180lbs (Curry is 6'3 185lbs, for the record).
The way to stop Price and Thomas was make them defend. That is my point. You can't let them go off and not have to defend. Also, when Curry has a bad night, his team is so great that it doesn't matter, but it isn't just him.
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...and I suppose we'll have to agree to disagree when it comes to "how smart" players play now compared to the past. Team offenses used to be largely based around throwing the ball to post-up big on the block and allowing him to execute a move in the post. The better your big guy was, the better your team was.
Offenses are far more creative and diverse in how they attack defenses today. Football and basketball are similar in this regard: game-plans and playbooks are far more sophisticated, physicality, lumber-jacking, etc. are tolerated by the officials less.
