Oh historical comparisons, they’re tricky devils. We love making them even though no one’s really a carbon copy of someone from the past. It’s hard even comparing the stars of today with their counterparts from 20 years ago.
The NBA, in 2017, resembles the ’70’s ABA much more than the ’90’s NBA which was more MMA. Back then, Bill Laimbeer was a four-time all-star. Laimbeer wouldn’t start in today’s league, nor would he want to since he probably thinks it’s too soft. But that’s enough about Laimbeer.
What about Jerry West? Remember Jerry West? Of course you don’t, he retired from the NBA about a decade or two before most of us were born.