While many former NBA players often dismiss the current generation of stars, Lakers legend Michael Cooper is not among them. Instead, he praised modern basketball icons like Stephen Curry and LeBron James, asserting that they would have thrived in the 1980s NBA.

Cooper recently appeared on his former Lakers teammate Byron Scott’s “Fast Break” Podcast, where they discussed which players could adapt to the physical style of basketball from that era. During the conversation, Cooper challenged Scott to name five players who could hold their own in the 80s.

After some thought, Scott responded with a solid list: “LeBron is one without a doubt. I think [Nikola Jokic] could have played in the 80s. I think [Joel] Embiid could have played in the 80s. I think [Giannis Antetokounmpo] could have played with just his athleticism. I think [Stephen Curry] could’ve played too.”

Cooper agreed with Scott’s selections but expressed some hesitation regarding Curry. However, he acknowledged that the four-time NBA champion’s elite shooting and ball-handling skills would have made him effective in the 80s. He did caution, though, that the physicality of the era might have posed a challenge for Curry.

“I agree with the list, but I think the only one I would question is Curry. I think he would be effective, but remember, back in our day, you had to ‘taste the wood.’ When we played Kevin Johnson, those drives to the basket would have had Curry on the ground,” Cooper explained.

Cooper and Scott’s reasoning for selecting LeBron, Embiid, and Giannis is straightforward. Their physical and athletic prowess means they wouldn’t shy away from contact. Jokic also fits this mold, as his ability to play both inside and outside would allow him to adapt well.

Scott pointed out that while these players might not be as dominant in the 80s as they are today—primarily due to the lack of spacing—they would still leave their mark.

Evaluating Cooper’s remarks, he noted, “If you were going to score, you had to get it from the free-throw line.” However, Curry is one of the best free-throw shooters in history, with a career average of 91%. This ability to score from the line could translate into easy points for Curry, even in a more physical era.

Moreover, the 80s defenders would likely struggle to guard Curry’s quick off-ball movements and deep shooting range, as three-point shooting wasn’t emphasized back then. Defending the best shooter in NBA history would be a monumental challenge.

For Giannis and Embiid, the congested paint might be a concern due to the less spaced-out game of the 80s. However, their size and strength would still enable them to post up and finish at the rim. In the 2023-24 season, Embiid converted 70% of his shots in the paint, while Giannis boasted an impressive 77%.

LeBron, having faced the physicality of the early 2000s, has already proven he can dominate against tough defenses. His performance against the Detroit Pistons in the 2007 NBA playoffs, where he scored 48 points—including 25 consecutive points in the fourth quarter and overtime—showed he could excel under pressure.

The five players identified by Cooper and Scott would undoubtedly compete in the 80s, and arguably, there are many more contemporary stars who could also make their mark in that era