"Some of those guys that think they are MJ? Bro, you would have come off our bench" - Kenny Smith humbles modern-day players about how they would've been "average" in his era
"Some of those guys that think they are MJ? Bro, you would have come off our bench" - Kenny Smith humbles modern-day players about how they would've been "average" in his era originally appeared on Basketball Network.
There's long been a growing sentiment that players from the rough-and-tumble 1980s and '90s might struggle to adapt to today's NBA, where versatility and shooting are cornerstones of success. In contrast, others argue that modern stars - who thrive on pace-and-space offense, mid-range pull-ups, and deep threes would dominate if dropped into any past era. According to two-time NBA champion Kenny Smith, the reality is far more nuanced.
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Moreover, "The Jet" believes while it's true that players in each era learned that game differently, not every modern-day hooper would've made the cut in the golden age of hard-nosed basketball. Smith confidently stated that many players today, especially those who tend to overthink their skill set and imagine themselves to be on Michael Jordan's level, would not even crack the starting lineup in the '80s and '90s.
Smith laughs off at players who believe they could've been greater in past eras
Back then, basketball was built on structure. Teams ran set plays religiously, designed in practice, and executed to perfection in games. Centers lived in the paint, and perimeter players earned every bucket by driving into traffic and absorbing contact.
So for Smith, he admitted while speaking on "The Mark Jackson" s podcast, modern-day superstars like Kevin Durant, who boast elite shot-making and a deeper understanding of the game, could have thrived in his era, majority of others wouldn't have fared as well.
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"Great players today, would've been great. Kevin Durant would've played in our era and been great. Go down the line, top five players. But then, it starts to get sticky. That's all I'm saying. It starts getting sticky because of the rule changes. Guys who are in the league now, would not be in the league. Even some of the guys we had wouldn't be in this league because they couldn't shoot. Some of those guys that think they are Michael Jordan? Bro, you would have come off our bench," the two-time Champ said. "You would've been an average back then if you are average now."
Related: Luc Longley on why he and Michael Jordan couldn't get along: "Mike was doing what he did to rookies, what he was doing to me"
Smith also fired shots at modern-day guards
And while today's NBA is flooded with highlight-reel moments, where guards like Anthony Edwards and Ja Morant soaring over seven-footers, Smith takes issue with the assumption that today's players are more athletic. As a former Dunk Contest participant himself, he pushed back against the idea that modern guards are more explosive or skilled. He insists athleticism and talent were just as present in his day; they were simply displayed differently.
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"Today's era of people, they always say, 'Oh, we more athletic,'" Smith once stated. "I don't believe that they are more athletic. How many point guards been in the Dunk Contest? I was in the Dunk Contest three times, I came in second once to the great Dominique Wilkins."
Ultimately, the 60-year-old former Rockets guard admitted it is hard to predict how players from one generation would perform in another, given how dramatically the game has evolved. But one thing he's certain of — the true greats of today, with their elite feel for the game, adaptability, and constant adjustments, would have shined in any era. That level of basketball IQ and skill transcends eras, no matter the competition.
Related: "One girl got smart and said, 'I want 10 thousand'" - Shaquille O'Neal explains why he loves to leave big tips
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
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