I wouldn't say the game was slower back then just operated differently. They'll still use the whole shot clock in today's games just to miss a 3. Basketball will always be pretty much the same paced game, unless they change the shot clock, just with a different style as time goes on.
But I'll take a big man that can dominate the paint over a big man that can spread the floor any day for just because he can spread the floor doesn't mean he's going to be as effective outside as my dominant big man inside.
A dominant big man inside baskets are pretty much guaranteed while your big man that can spread the floor might hit half of his shots from outside.