This stuff is really hard to gauge. On one hand the NBA officiating rules have changed to where "defense" like what was seen in 70's through early 2000's is not

This stuff is really hard to gauge. On one hand the NBA officiating rules have changed to where "defense" like what was seen in 70's through early 2000's is not happening in this league. Like it or not the league has switched from a hard nose interior game(see lots of dunking and post moves) to one that is played from distance ala 3 pointers (thanks mid-2010's Warriors!). So you have that data point, the other one to focus on is health, given the stuff above - players careers, or good players will see a longer career due to less wear on their bodies from tough physical defense they face. They also have really good medical care and recovery systems, I bet KAJ wish he had hyperbaric chambers to help him recover! But.. every other player also has these tools so its a wash. I think the big game changer is the defense rules change, and then to a lessor factor couple that with players having better access to health and recovery systems I definitely see a future player breaking Lebron's scoring record.