The NBA Has Changed, And Some Legends Wouldn’t Keep Up
The NBA today is built on speed, spacing, and skill versatility. It’s not that past legends weren’t great, it’s that the game they dominated has evolved beyond recognition. If these stars were thrown into the 2025 season without adapting their style, they’d likely struggle to make the same impact.
Here are 7 NBA icons who might flop in the modern era:
7. George Mikan
One of the NBA’s earliest stars, Mikan simply wouldn’t survive in today’s league. However, his lack of speed, athleticism, and shooting range would be glaring weaknesses in an era dominated by versatile, dynamic big men who can shoot, switch, and run the floor.
6. Jerry West
West was a legend and a logo, but the game has changed. At 6’3″, without elite athleticism, he might be overwhelmed by the bigger, faster, stronger guards of today. The sheer pace and defensive pressure of the modern NBA would test even West’s all-time talent.
5. Patrick Ewing
Ewing’s power post play defined ’90s basketball, but in a league where centers now shoot threes, switch on defense, and initiate offense, his skills would be limited. He lacked perimeter shooting and was not a fluid ball-handler, making him a poor fit for today’s fast, fluid offenses.
4. Moses Malone
Malone was a relentless rebounder and scorer around the rim, but his lack of passing ability and no outside shooting would hurt him today. With teams expecting centers to stretch the floor and act as playmakers, Malone’s game would feel outdated and one-dimensional.
3. Bill Laimbeer
Laimbeer’s bruising, physical defense was feared and hated across the league. But in today’s game, with tighter whistle rules and less tolerance for hard contact, Laimbeer would foul out quickly. The modern NBA also demands more mobility and perimeter defense from big men, two areas Laimbeer would struggle in.
2. Dominique Wilkins
Dominique Wilkins was an explosive scorer and highlight-reel dunker. But his game was heavily reliant on isolation play and athleticism, with limited outside shooting and playmaking. However, in today’s NBA, where wing players need to shoot efficiently from deep and defend multiple positions, Wilkins might be viewed as a one-dimensional scorer.
1. Isiah Thomas
One of the greatest ball handlers of all time, Isiah Thomas was a floor general in the slower, more physical game of the ’80s. But in today’s lightning-paced offenses and switch-heavy defenses, Thomas might struggle to dictate tempo. His size and scoring inefficiency would limit his ability to control games as he once did.
This list isn’t about disrespecting legends, but understanding how much basketball has transformed. If these players grew up in the modern game, with access to today’s training, they might’ve adapted. But based strictly on their original playstyles, they’d face an uphill climb in today’s NBA.
