Jordan shares his thoughts on how today’s game’s physicality pales compared to the past era of big men and bruising defenses.

The debate over how today’s NBA compares to its past is one that never seems to go away.

Many argue that today’s game lacks the physicality and grit that once defined the league.

The game has evolved, but some veterans believe it has lost the edge that made it so captivating in its heyday.

The NBA has changed

In the past, the Association was a battleground where players had to push their limits and take physical punishment.

The 1980s and 1990s were defined by some of the most bruising, intense basketball ever seen.

Teams like the Detroit Pistons—famously dubbed the “Bad Boys”—made a name for themselves by punishing their opponents with rough and aggressive play, often blurring the lines of what was considered fair.

Players like Isiah Thomas, Bill Laimbeer, and Rick Mahorn were notorious for their physicality. It wasn’t just about scoring points; it was about surviving the game.

The dominant players of this era were big men like Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Patrick Ewing who were the giants who ruled the court.

For an offensive player to succeed, they had to fight through contact and be prepared for physical altercations under the basket.

Michael Jordan, a ten-time scoring champion, was at the forefront of this battle.

His dominance on the court wasn’t just a product of his skill but also his unrelenting mindset.

“You go in with the understanding of, ‘I’m going to get hit. I’m going to pay the price,” MJ said. “But that’s part of the game.

I’m not going to be afraid to go inside. Those are the types of things that these kids don’t even have a clue of how we had to grow up and how we had to play.”

Evolving or ruining?

With the abolishment of hand-checking in 2004, hard plays between players reduced drastically as fouls are now called even for the slightest of offenses.

Rules like the “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy,  designed to intentionally foul poor free throw shooters like O’Neal, were created.

This tactic exposed the limitations of the big men who once dominated the paint and led to adjustments that further reduced the physicality of the game.

At the same time, the revolution of 3-point shooting transformed the way teams approach the game.

This rise emphasized long-distance scoring, allowing players to avoid physical contact altogether.

Today’s players are more athletic and refined in their techniques, but the emphasis on individual performance and perimeter shooting has changed the way the game is played for good.