You think WE'VE had some unathletic stiffs?
- Thread starter coolm
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I've never heard Oscar Robertson and Havlicek referred to as great athletes.
ousooners1baby
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There are a lot of HALL OF FAMERS in each sport that athletically, could not carry the jock of today's athlete's.
Oscar Robertson was a great athlete, and i said Havlicek was a great player.
The thread was about their athletic ability. Oscar didn't have athletic ability compared to guys of today. No where even close. In fact Robertson's first two shots in the video get swatted because he put them up soft and with no strong athletic move.
Okay, not many people from 'back in the day' could compete athletically in any sport with people of todays time. Humans, training, and information in general increase and people improve over time. Thats just stupid to even compare.
You can't honestly think that Robertson was not one of the best athletes of his time though. The fact it was Bill Russell blocking those shots probably means something as he is one of the top players to ever play basketball.
Krugerfan52
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I have never thought Russel was big enough, strong enough or athletic enough to be much of a player in the NBA these days. But I was actually impressed with his shot-blocking ability in that video. He obviously had a knack for it. He wasn't a big-time scorer and I dont think he would have been in todays game, but I think he would have been a pretty big-time shot-blocker in todays college game.
The thing you have to take into account is that if Bill Russel and Oscar Robertson had grown un in the 1990's-2000's they would have lifted more weights and been a lot stronger. Same for todays players. If they had grown up 50 years ago they wouldnt look like some of the guys do in the NBA right now.
The thing you have to take into account is that if Bill Russel and Oscar Robertson had grown un in the 1990's-2000's they would have lifted more weights and been a lot stronger. Same for todays players. If they had grown up 50 years ago they wouldnt look like some of the guys do in the NBA right now.
Krugerfan52
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The video quality also makes these guys look worse than they really were.
But that was the entire reason of the thread. To point out the athlete of yesterday can't compete with the athlete of today. Then you argued the point. Now you are backtracking. You called Oscar Robertson an "elite athlete". That's just silly.
Again, that is what this thread is pointing out. And no, the fact it was Bill Russell blocking the shots doesn't change the fact with how weakly and unathletic those shot attempts were. The weakness of them actually made me question Robertsons play. I hadn't seen that video before.
Sooner Quick
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It was because of those nutter butter shorts!
Guitardeth
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66 The year i was born. 
LOL!! Those are stiffs!?! :facepalm It was 1966 and they didn't play the game then like they do now.
LOL!! Those are stiffs!?! :facepalm It was 1966 and they didn't play the game then like they do now.
Shooterms
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66 The year i was born.
LOL!! Those are stiffs!?! :facepalm It was 1966 and they didn't play the game then like they do now.
'66 was a good year.
coolm
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I agree with Cheno 100%.
These are some of my favorite players of all time and compared to the athletes today these guys are complete STIFFS.
The only one who looks even close at any point is Big O in the first drive (that was swatted away). The ball handling is atrocious compared to today's expectations. While some of the shooting may seem decent take a look at the release point...do you really think those wouldn't get blocked about 90% of the time? The passing isn't anything that tremendous (and it's from what many consider to be the among premier passing teams of all time).
The point was and is players these days play on such a high level that it's easy to lose the focus on what we're actually seeing. Amazing basketball by some of the most talented athletes ever assembled in their youth.
btw the video quality excuse is rather lame. it's still possible to see many of their skills and compare them to what we see today.
These are some of my favorite players of all time and compared to the athletes today these guys are complete STIFFS.
The only one who looks even close at any point is Big O in the first drive (that was swatted away). The ball handling is atrocious compared to today's expectations. While some of the shooting may seem decent take a look at the release point...do you really think those wouldn't get blocked about 90% of the time? The passing isn't anything that tremendous (and it's from what many consider to be the among premier passing teams of all time).
The point was and is players these days play on such a high level that it's easy to lose the focus on what we're actually seeing. Amazing basketball by some of the most talented athletes ever assembled in their youth.
btw the video quality excuse is rather lame. it's still possible to see many of their skills and compare them to what we see today.
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CokeSooner
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Agree with what cool said 100%. It's amazing the progress the game has undergone. A lot of that ball handling wouldn't fly at the high school level today. Really makes you appreciate the fluidity of players today.
Also the fact that they actually had to dribble and weren't allowed to carry the ball all over the court makes them look different. Lets be honest, some of the greats today couldn't make those great moves if they actually had to dribble.
