This phrase is what you brought to mind.

We are standing on the shoulders of giants.

The other thing is in running. I forget whether it was the 100 meter or 1 mile or both but there was a barrier that hadn't been broken but once it was the record kept falling to new runners. We learn from those before us. The world changes, the game changes. Most don't care to think about things. They are more interested in dunking on others for easy points.

When it comes to sports the games change. It is pretty hard to compare athletes from different eras in most sports if you care to be honest. If MJ played in today's NBA I imagine he'd have different stats. If Lebron played in the 80-90s era he'd be met with different defense. It would be cool to see someone like Bird play today for example or some of the new crop play in the past but this pissing match is kinda dumb. That said, athletes whose dominance triggers a rule change hold a special place.