Basketball: 92 dream team or '12.

[dammage79]

I read about Kobe yapping today that this current olympic team could beat MJ's dream team from 92. The game has change and is far more ego driven than back in MJ's era. Guys like Malone, Stockton, Drexler Pippen et al knew how to play a team game and they executed beautifully in 92. These guys of today just don't play a complete team game IMO. I will admit I do like Blake Griffin and Kevin Durant, I feel they've brought back some respecability to basketball. What say you? 92 or 2012?

[OILFAN #81]

I saw this on ESPN today and I agree with Barkley and Jordan. It's not really close IMO. The Dream team would easily beat today's team.

Jordan
Pippen
Bird
Magic
Robinson
Barkley
Ewing
Drexler
Stockton
Malone

That is an insane team.

[GirlySports]

plu-eeze. kobe wishes. '92 will even give them Isaiah.

[trackercowe]

Agreed, it's the '92 team and it's not even close. The Dream Team is likely the greatest team ever comprised in sporting history. There is absolutely no way a team centered by Tyson Chandler could compete with the likes of Ewing, Robinson, and especially Barkley.

Lets say you could form a team composed of both generations, which players from 2012 would actually make the team? I would say only the big three in Bryant, James, and Durant. The rest of the team would all by selected from the '92 team.

I don't really blame Kobe for saying this, as like Jordan he is the most competitive guy in the NBA. But, Kobe is also a basketball historian, so I think deep down he knows the 2012 team couldn't actually win.

[Hatter]

I think Kobe had his tongue planted firmly in his cheek there. Trying to get a rise out of people.

[ricoFlame]

1992 Dream Team = Amazing, best ever
2012 Team = A bunch of egos probably going to get bronze

[d_phaneuf]

it's closer than some people are saying but 92 would take it

Bird was basically hobbled at that point and Magic had effectively taken a year off

game would be won by defense, which 92 has all world (MJ/Pippen/Robinson), and by size

[Caged Great]

That 92 team would be like having a team with Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, Richard, Beliveau, Sakic, Yzerman Orr, Lidstrom, Robinson, Harvey, Hasek, Roy etc all in their prime. No way that the 2012 team could compete with that.

[SuperMatt18]

With their current roster it's not even close but if the 2012 Americans had their top roster it would be closer then people think.

If the 12 team actually had Wade, Howard, Rose, Bosh etc. then Kobe might actually have a point.

Rose, Paul, D.Williams, Kobe, Wade, Lebron, Durant, Anthony, Bosh, Griffin, Love, Howard.

That is a great team and Kobe would be the only guy not in his prime on that roster.

The 12 team would struggle with Malone, Barkley, Robinson, and Ewing though with really just Love and Howard trying to match up in the low post.

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

That 92 team would be like having a team with Gretzky, Lemieux, Howe, Richard, Beliveau, Sakic, Yzerman Orr, Lidstrom, Robinson, Harvey, Hasek, Roy etc all in their prime. No way that the 2012 team could compete with that.

First off, I think the 92 team would crush them.

Secondly, they weren't all in their prime and/or healthy at that time. Stockton was injured and only played sparingly. Magic had recently found out he had HIV and didn't play much because of his knee problems. Bird retired right have the Olympics. Which one of the guys you listed was Laettner?

The thing that would lead the 92 team to crush 2012, would be they knew how to win games and did have big names in their prime. Jordan, Pippen, Robinson, Barkely and Malone were in their prime. They all understood the meaning of those games and bought in to the philosophy.

My favourite quote on the comment so far:

[Imported_Aussie]

In a 7 game series the 2012 team would win maybe 1 game.
Dream team has the best backcourt in history, 2 of the best point guards of all time and of course, Jordan. Also, the centre position was much, much stronger, same goes for power forward.
I would say of the 2012 team, Lebron is a better offensive option vs Pippen, without sacrificing too much D, and depending on whether you want a shooter or an all round guy on the floor, would be time split between him and Bird. Kobe would be good cover way down the bench. The rest need not apply (though a fit Wade would be vying with Kobe for spare guard, as he could also cover PG)

[killer_carlson]

Rather thing sabout the 2012 team that gets overlooked was that two guys who could have been captains or the go to guy made it clear that in their mind this was about magic. Bird and Jordan set the example and everyone else followed without question. No egos and a team of hall of famers and clutch performers. It is why 20 years later they are still the standard to be measured against.

[dammage79]

Its also amazing the number of players left off the 92 roster from that era. Tim Hardaway, Shawn Kemp (who, in his prime was simply the best at his position and probably who I would compare Lebron to in terms of style of play) Shaq was in his rookie year. Reggie Miller who is my pick for all time greatest three point shooter of all time (Mark Price and Dan Marjele derseve a nod). Dominique Wilkins. Dennis Rodman the greatest rebounder of all time. I guess what I m saying is that todays players don't stand a chance at running with the dream team.

[Hockey]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

I saw this on ESPN today and I agree with Barkley and Jordan. It's not really close IMO. The Dream team would easily beat today's team.

Jordan
Pippen
Bird
Magic
Robinson
Barkley
Ewing
Drexler
Stockton
Malone

That is an insane team.

You forgot Laetner.

I do think the 92 team would beat the 12 dream team for sure.


Anyone see that documentary on the 92 dream team? It was pretty cool

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Its also amazing the number of players left off the 92 roster from that era. Tim Hardaway, Shawn Kemp (who, in his prime was simply the best at his position and probably who I would compare Lebron to in terms of style of play) Shaq was in his rookie year. Reggie Miller who is my pick for all time greatest three point shooter of all time (Mark Price and Dan Marjele derseve a nod). Dominique Wilkins. Dennis Rodman the greatest rebounder of all time. I guess what I m saying is that todays players don't stand a chance at running with the dream team.

Don't forget Hakeem the Dream who wasn't American yet.

[OzSome]

Typically of hot-headed, overpaid millionaires 2012 Dream Team opening their freaking mouth before they even play the Olympics. The only way the 2012 Dream Team beating the 1992 Dream Team(present ages) is if they play the game today. I sure hope USA team loses in the quarterfinals.

[moon]

The Dream Team would likely win but it wouldn't be nearly as easy as many are making it out to be.

Maybe if the Dream Team were all in the Prime it would be more of a no doubter but with the age of some of those guys it would be competitive.

[Senator Clay Davis]

Originally Posted by Hockey

You forgot Laetner.

I do think the 92 team would beat the 12 dream team for sure.


Anyone see that documentary on the 92 dream team? It was pretty cool

There's a reason everyone forgets Laetner. But he might have been more use against the 2012 team because he could lay a few of those guys out. Either way I find it funny the 2012 is doing all this talk. Of course if for instance they don't win gold, this is a pointless conversation.

Anyways it could be close, but I personally doubt it. Almost every position matchup is fairly even and you could argue 2012 has a better SF (LeBron) or PG (although give me Stockton every day of the week). But Ewing and The Admiral would humiliate the 2012 front line, and that would be the major difference. Thw Dream Team was also much smarter and more reliant on ball movement offenses then todays overuse of isolations and hero ball.

[Buff]

After 20 years you would think that the '12 Olympic team has better technology put into their Air Jordans, thus giving them the edge. It's in the shoes.

[GirlySports]

Here's the '92 B team!