NBA Hall of Famers Would Struggle in Today’s Modern Game

by Jeremy Block - 1/17/2026

NBA Hall of Famers who would struggle in modern day NBA Patrick Ewing

As any basketball fan knows, teams can change in the blink of an eye. Whether it's a rebuild, an instant leap to title contention with one trade, or just deciding to coast through the season, one thing’s for sure: the game and style of basketball have evolved, and not every Hall of Famer would have the same impact if they played in today's NBA.

Sure, they were kings of their respective eras, but the game has changed so much that some of their skills would look outdated, or they simply lacked the tools to keep up in their position. In today’s game, it’s all about pace, space, and shooting. So, here are four Hall of Famers who dominated in their era but would likely struggle to make the same impact in the modern NBA.

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Patrick Ewing

When you think of a bruising center who could dominate the paint, Patrick Ewing is definitely a player that comes to mind. In the ‘90s, he was one of the best, averaging 21 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game for his career. His footwork in the post was a thing of beauty, and he could punish smaller defenders without a problem. So, where’s the setback? Perimeter shooting.

In a league where bigs need to stretch the floor, Patrick Ewing would be a massive problem. He couldn’t shoot beyond 20 feet, and with a career percentage of 15.3% from deep, he would be a huge liability. That kind of shooting range doesn’t fit into a modern offense.

Ewing’s game was built for a slower, more methodical pace, which has no place in today’s game. Bigs who can’t shoot or defend the pick-and-roll are a liability, and in a league where floor spacing is everything, Ewing would quickly find himself stuck in the mud.

Dennis Rodman

Known for his insane rebounding and defensive tenacity, Dennis Rodman was a key piece for the Chicago Bulls in the ‘90s. But tossing him into today’s style of play would have teams pulling their hair out. Sure, any franchise could use him for his defense and rebounding skills, but let’s be clear—Rodman couldn’t hit a four-foot jumper, let alone a 3-pointer consistently. That kind of offensive limitation would make teams' offensive flow crash fast.

In a league where every forward has to be able to stretch the floor or create offensively to some degree, Rodman would be in trouble. He averaged just 7.3 points a game for his career and shot 58% from the free-throw line—not exactly a threat from anywhere outside the paint. Modern offenses are built on spacing, shooting, and constant movement, and none of which fit into Rodman’s game. Sure, he could crash the glass and lock down defensively, but without a reliable offensive game, he’d be a role-player at best.

Bill Walton

Back in the ‘70s, protecting the paint was Bill Walton’s specialty—a threat to anyone who tried to attack the interior. But drop him into today’s NBA, and he’d be a fish out of water. The modern game revolves around versatility, including big men who can guard everyone from point guards to power forwards, switch on pick-and-rolls, and still run the floor like they’re in a track meet. And for Walton? He wasn’t the quickest.

He was great for his time, averaging 13.3 points and 10.5 rebounds for his career, but the modern game demands agility, and Walton didn’t have the nimbleness to keep up with today’s bigs or wing players. Sure, he could still protect the paint, but that’s just not enough anymore.

Take guys like Nikola Jokic, Derik Queen, or even Alperen Sengun—all of them can block shots, defend the perimeter, score from anywhere on the floor, and guard multiple positions. Walton’s lack of lateral movement would get him exposed in today’s fast-paced game, where switching and defending on the move is crucial.

Shaquille O'Neal

There’s no doubt that Shaquille O’Neal’s size and raw physicality would still make him a beast in today’s NBA. Standing at 7’1” and weighing 325 pounds, he’d be an absolute force in the paint, likely still dominating down low, crashing the boards, and drawing double teams like he did in his prime.

But here’s the kicker: the modern game demands more than just size and strength. In a league where big men can step out and shoot, or defend on the perimeter in pick-and-roll scenarios, Shaq’s lack of agility and quickness would make him a weak point for opposing teams to attack.

While O’Neal’s post presence wouldn’t be matched, big men nowadays are expected to switch and defend multiple positions. The idea of Shaq being stuck in a high pick-and-roll with guards who can shoot from anywhere or drive by him would be a huge liability. With no 3-point shooting, a non-existent pick-and-pop game, and not quick enough to help out on defense, O’Neal would be a bit of a dinosaur in a game that’s all about spacing and pace.

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Start:	January 18, 2026 @ 5:30 PM
Expert:	Tony George
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NBA Hall of Famers Would Struggle in Today’s Modern Game

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