Talent tends to dictate the predominant style of play in the NBA. During the 90s, you couldn't be a contender without a franchise player at the 5 spot, which contributed to the slow and deliberate offenses that highlighted their skillset e.g. Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaq, David Robinson, Alonzo Mourning, etc.

Then Michael Jordan came along and validated his dominance, which lead to a phletora of young 2 guards that shifted the game more toward an iso-heavy/spaced style e.g. Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson, Ray Allen, Anfernee Hardaway, Jerry Stackhouse, etc.

Then came the era of the dominant 4 man that could be an inside-outside threat e.g. Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, Rasheed Wallace, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Dirk Nowtizki, etc.

Then came the era of the dominant PG's, which was started by Jason Kidd's run to the Finals with the Nets but really caught on with Steve Nash and the D'Antoni Suns, which was punctuated by a more frentic, uptempo pace e.g. Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Rajon Rondo, etc.

But what about today? Is there a developing shift in talent that will ultimately dictate a new style of play for contenders? And if so, what players will it be led by and what will that style be?

Personally, when I look at the draft and the emerging talent at the 5 spot, I have to think we'll be returning toward a modified 90's model. It won't be as physical as it was but I suspect that the game will slow down to accommodate the breadth of talent that is expected to be at the position. We already have the elderstatesmen in Marc Gasol, Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah and Brook Lopez (when healthy). Added to that list is DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Nikola Vucevic and possibly Jonas Vulanceunic (dude from the Raptors) as well as Joel Embiid and Jusuf Nurkic. If the draft hype lives up to what it is, that position will explode with new bonafided talent like Jahlil Okafor, Karl Towns, etc. With that being said, do you think these guys will bring the 5 position back into fashion and mandate a new culture?