3 76ers Greats Who Would Be Even Better if They Played Today
By Nick Porr
Today's NBA looks nothing like it used to. Even just ten years back, it's borderline unrecognizable at times.
Today's NBA is filled with perimeter shooters and very few big men, creating a faster game, an increased frequency of three-point shooting, and more space for slashers to drive inside.
These three Philadelphia 76ers legends would've played even better if they were in their primes today.
3. Julius Erving
Julius Erving was a freak of nature. The NBA may never again see someone as athletic as Dr. J. His 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest win stands as impressive to this day, featuring a powerful jam from the free-throw line years before Michael Jordan’s. Sadly, many of Erving's best years came before the NBA-ABA merger in late 1976. Under the spotlight of today's much bigger and unified league, Erving would've soared through modern defenses and become an even greater icon.
2. Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley played the role of undersized big man before it was popular. Although just 6-6, Barkley could body much larger opponents and find his way to almost every rebound. He also had outstanding athleticism, defensive awareness, strong handles and great vision, making him one of the most well-rounded players in NBA history. Although already a Hall of Famer, today's game is perfect to empower his unnatural talents even further.
1. Allen Iverson
To put it simply, Allen Iverson was scoring the way James Harden is now against defenses that were ten times more physical. With the modern NBA's open lanes and hand-checking rules, Iverson would have free rein to go wherever he wanted on the court. Prime AI put up 31.4 points per game in 2001-2002, and there's no telling what he could've done in 2020. Surrounded by today's shooters, there'd be no stopping him.