The “Done with the 90s” movement on the Internet is taking off. It’s a narrative claiming that players from the past were not skilled enough to play in today’s game, suggesting even Michael Jordan would struggle against the new era. However, the older generation of NBA players won’t let it get away with this.
One of the latest to chime in in the conversation is Mitch Richmond . The Hall of Fame shooting guard spoke with Shandel Richardson on Back in the Day and shared his two cents.
"I think it's very disrespectful, no question about it,” said Richmond. "I don't see many players giving it the disrespect, but I think the fans in this generation, more so, of saying they're done with the `80s and `90s, don't respect what was before them.”
“I heard a couple of players like JJ Redick say something stupid about the players. And I just think it’s idiotic to always disrespect the people who came before you. Talking about (Larry) Bird, Bird would mop him up like it was no other,” declared the NBA veteran.
Redick disses Bird
The newest Los Angeles Lakers head coach ruffled some feathers after his “plumbers and firemen” take a few months ago. He also talked about the Celtics legend Larry Bird in a negative light in a “debate” with Stephen A. Smith and Chris “Mad Dog” Russo. The former Duke Blue Devil suggested Larry Legend would struggle from beyond the arc in today’s game because of his lesser ability as a shooter.
Larry was a two-time three-point shooting champ known as a clutch shotmaker in his heyday. Of course, the game did not rely on shots behind the arc that much back then, but Bird could knock one down when needed.
The three-time NBA champ did not respond, but others, like Richmond, felt the need to clap back and point out the differences between Redick and Bird. To his credit, the six-time NBA All-Star avoided taking shots at the current generation.
“I enjoy today's game. We all get too much of the barber shop talk,” Richmond concluded. “I just think let's enjoy the generation of what we're seeing now.”
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“The Rock”
Richmond was a largely forgotten name from the 1990s, but he was as solid as they come. His resume speaks for itself— he is a six-time All-Star, five-time All-NBA, and a Hall of Famer. “The Rock” was part of the “Run TMC” Warriors squad with Tim Hardaway and Chris Mullin, a predecessor to today’s run-and-gun offense.
The Kansas State product’s best season was in 1996-97. He averaged 25.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.5 steals on excellent efficiency. Mitch shot 45% from the floor, including 42% from deep on six attempts, while knocking down 86% of his free throws.
Richmond's stats show he was more than capable on his own; he could easily outperform JJ Redick and potentially surpass today’s shooting guards as well.
Related: Chris Mullin recalls Run TMC: "It was the most fun I had playing basketball in my whole life"
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