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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement "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. Advertisement "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.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch Shaedon Sharp throw down Dunk of the Year candidate on way to 36 points
Shaedon Sharp had himself a night. The third-year wing displayed his freak athleticism and threw down the kind of dunk we wish we had seen in the Dunk Contest. The kind that causes you to gasp watching the highlight alone at home. SHAEDON SHARPE MY GOODNESS — NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2025 Shape wasn't done, he went on to score a career-high 36 points off the bench, leading Portland to a 129-121 road win in Washington. A career-high 36 points and one of the dunks of the A NIGHT FOR SHAEDON SHARPE — NBA (@NBA) February 27, 2025 Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 24 in a game between teams headed to the lottery, but in Portland's case there are some players — like Sharpe — who give the team a clear path forward to respectability, at least.
NBC Sports
27-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Watch Shaedon Sharp throw down Dunk of the Year candidate on way to 36 points
Shaedon Sharp had himself a night. The third-year wing displayed his freak athleticism and threw down the kind of dunk we wish we had seen in the Dunk Contest. The kind that causes you to gasp watching the highlight alone at home. SHAEDON SHARPE MY GOODNESS 🤯😱 Shape wasn't done, he went on to score a career-high 36 points off the bench, leading Portland to a 129-121 road win in Washington. A career-high 36 points and one of the dunks of the year... WHAT A NIGHT FOR SHAEDON SHARPE 💥 Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 24 in a game between teams headed to the lottery, but in Portland's case there are some players — like Sharpe — who give the team a clear path forward to respectability, at least.
USA Today
18-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
We'll believe Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine will do the NBA Dunk Contest again when we see it
Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine were in very different places in their careers the last time we saw them in their epic NBA Dunk Contest in 2016. At the time, Gordon was still trying to establish himself as a young franchise-player talisman for the Orlando Magic. Now, he's a dynamic two-way player for the perennial title contender Denver Nuggets. Meanwhile, LaVine was still years away from transforming into the dynamic, All-Star caliber scoring guard he is today for the Sacramento Kings. On Tuesday, after seeing Ja Morant's invite to do the next Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles in February 2026, Gordon suggested he might have one more run in him. This sentiment came after seeing that LaVine hinted he was also into the idea of competing against Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Listen, at face value, this is an extremely exciting and tantalizing prospect for hoops fans. Antetokounmpo, Morant, Gordon, and LaVine are all some of the greatest dunkers in basketball history. Together, I have no doubt they might put on one of the best shows the Dunk Contest has ever seen. The creativity and sheer electric dunking talent on hand here would be almost too much to fathom. It would be SO cool. That said, each of these gentlemen teasing a Dunk Contest appearance feels like bog-standard social media posturing we've seen before. Until they follow through and are at the Dunk Contest again, ready to roll, there's no reason to believe Morant, Antetokounmpo, Gordon, and LaVine will participate. The easiest thing to do for NBA stars is to offer little crumbs online about how they're maybe, potentially, perhaps ready to participate in the league's midseason celebration of basketball. Everyone can do that. The hard part is being there and ready to compete. We'll believe it when we see it.
Fox Sports
17-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 NBA All-Star Game live updates: Highlights from Sunday night's tournament
Say goodbye to Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference. The new-look NBA All-Star Game is here. This year's showdown has a tournament-style format. Four teams made up of eight players will face off in three games. LeBron James, who earned a record-setting 21st All-Star nod, headlines "Team Shaq" alongside Steph Curry and Kevin Durant. Unfortunately, James won't play in the game due to ankle soreness. The global superstardom of "Team Chuck" boasts three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić and Victor Wembanyama, who is making his All-Star debut. Some of the NBA's best young talent comprise "Team Kenny," including Anthony Edwards and 3-Point Contest winner Tyler Herro. Then there's "Team Candace," the winning squad from the Rising Stars competition. Rising Stars MVP, and Dunk Contest runner-up, Stephon Castle leads that group of first- and second-year players. If you missed the fun from Saturday's events, we've got you covered here. To follow along with Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, check out all the highlights below. Live Coverage for this began on 7:05p ET recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
