NBA eras are usually a highly debated topic around the association. Old and new players often bicker about who’s fit for the current era, as well as who would survive the previous ones.
With today’s three-point era, current players have to adapt to changes in the league. Failure to do so might result in a premature end to a player’s career.
Today, we will list ten NBA players who are playing in the wrong area. This list only contains the players who are currently active in the NBA. We will ll also discuss the facts on why these players could have thrived in previous eras.
Jonas Valanciunas
The Lithuanian big man has been fairly decent in his career so far in the NBA. Drafted as the 5th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, Valanciunas is a back-to-the-basket type of player, mostly operating down the block to score and alter shots.
While it’s nice that he has adapted to the modern game and developed a reliable three-point shot, we can’t help but wonder if he played in the 1990s or 2000s. Jonas would be a 25-point scorer nightly and probably would go down as one of the best centers in his era.
Andre Drummond
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We can’t deny that Drummond’s game would be a perfect fit during the 2000s era. Widely known as a low post operator and a rebounding machine, Drummond would have been a beast had he played a couple of decades earlier.
He has the body and athleticism that could rival the likes of Garnett, Nowitzki, Duncan and even Shaq. Plus, with the slower pace, he would be feasting on offensive rebounds.
Kyle Anderson
While Anderson is not at the same tier as the guys mentioned above, there’s no doubt that his game is best fitted in the 90s era.
The pace then was much slower and Anderson would have thrived in a similar setting. Anderson could possibly average around 20 PPG in and could have been named an all-star in the process.
Cam Reddish
Reddish hasn’t found a home yet in the league but teams are still banking on his potential to come through. The 2019 lottery pick definitely has what it takes to thrive in today’s game, but often gets buried on the bench due to inconsistencies.
But if this was the 90s, Reddish would have been a star. His game is eerily comparable to then-controversial shooting guard, Latrell Sprewell. Both got the same height, body type and feel for the game.
Sprewell was named to numerous all-star games during his heyday. Had Reddish played in that era, there’s not a single doubt he could be an all-star too.
Dillon Brooks
The controversial Brooks has been one of the best defenders in the league so far and will continue to do so with his new team, the Houston Rockets, next season.
Dillon’s game is a good fit in today’s era but if this was the 1990s, he would have had more success. For a two-way player his caliber and the absence of such a commodity three decades ago, Brooks would have been a menace on the court.
His trash-talking ways would be at par with Charles Barkley and their clashes would have been a spectacle to see on TV.
Brook Lopez
Lopez had a stellar career in the league since he was selected as a lottery pick in the 2008 NBA draft. After years of being a low post guy, he adjusted his game to the modern era and began to add the three-point shot to his repertoire.
But Brook in the 1990s would have been awesome to see. He will be as good as anybody in that era and would have been one of the top centers in his generation. Aside from being a terrific offensive player, Brook is also a great shot-blocker which could translate well in the physical era.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons had an up-and-down career in the league so far. The former first overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft has been named an all-star three times and was a one-time member of an All-NBA team.
But his lack of shooting really hurt him in today’s game. However, had he played in the 1990s or 2000s era, Simmons would be an anomaly. A 6’10” point guard, Ben would dominate his opponents if he played in an different era.
The slower pace and the lack of three-point shooting could have been advantageous to Ben’s game. He would retire as a Hall of Famer and an all-time great had he played in the 2000s.
Markelle Fultz
The former number-one overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has mostly struggled in his career. Fultz can play, but after suffering various mysterious injuries, he did not become the star everybody expected.
However, with his athleticism and above-the-rim game, Fultz would have been a great fit in the 2000s era. His flashy ways and explosive steps could rival former all-stars such as Steve Francis and Baron Davis.
Montrezl Harrell
Harrell has been a great backup for most of the teams he has played with throughout his career. He even won the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2020 during his time with the Clippers.
But the reason he is not considered a starting-caliber big man in today’s era is that he lacks a proper jump shot in his game. Had he played in the 2000s, Harrell would have been a coveted starter for most NBA teams, especially with contenders.
In addition, his physicality and tenacity would bode well in an earlier era.
Blake Griffin
There’s no doubt that Griffin balled out this era. But if this was the 1990s, he’d be going toe to toe against the likes of Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Shawn Kemp and Dennis Rodman.
Aside from having an insane amount of athleticism, Blake is also a physical player. Nobody in the 1990s had Blake’s game and had he played in that generation, his career trajectory would have been an all-time great.
