2012 Olympic Team vs 92 Dream Team

2012 Olympic Team vs. 1992 Dream Team

Kobe said he thought this years Olympic team would come out on top against the original 1992 dream team and that’s sparked a wildfire of debate. Call me old fashioned but I’m hedging my bets on the original dream team...maybe not every single time but if it came down to one game, give me the most legendary crop of basketball players that ever existed.

I’ll break it down by position but I think ultimately it’s the intangibles that give the 1992 team a leg up.  First the overall talent level is higher but I think more importantly there is more CHAMPIONSHIP experience. Jordan, Magic, Bird and Pippen had all won championships at this point. Robinson would eventually win one. Ewing, Drexler, Malone and Stockton (we won’t count Mullin’s 3 games in 2000) would all play in at least 1 NBA finals. Only Kobe, Lebron and Wade have won an NBA title and Howard is the only other player on the roster to have been to one. Finally, I understand the game has changed and it is played at a quicker pace now and perhaps the athletes today are a bit more athletic but I wouldn’t put too much stock in this. They are not overwhelmingly more athletic (if at all) and the 1992 team has much more size. Also the 1992 team played at a time when there was less on one on and the “team” concept actually meant something. It’s tough for us to understand today because most team’s play via the 1-on-1 method (minus the Spurs who still continue to have success) but I think that team basketball will always win out over ball-hogging basketball.

I’ve broken it down by position below...(I’m stealing this position breakdown idea from thebleacherreport.com but it’s not a patented move by them either)

Derrick Rose (PG Bulls)  vs Magic Johnson (PG Lakers)

Sorry to all the D. Rose fans out there but this one’s not even close. Magic is on another level, even though in 1992 he was beginning his fight with the HIV virus and is older than D. Rose was at this stage, he has a better, more creative , all-around game, and a bonafide champion.

Kobe Bryant (SF Lakers) vs Michael Jordan (SF Bulls)

Kobe hater or not, Jordan is Jordan....Michael is the greatest of all time and he may be the ultimate reason why the 1992 dream team is better no matter what. Jordan was a more complete player, no disrespect to Bryant who is the best we’ve seen since, and Jordan was a great defender. Also consider that Kobe is an old 33 and while he’s most definitely not in the twilight zone he’s past his prime. Jordan at the time was 29 and very much in his prime.

Kevin Durant  (SG/SF Thunder) vs Larry Bird (SF Celtics)

This is another close one but if we look at where they were at in their careers and physically you have to give Durant the edge. Bird’s back was so fucked up during the 92’ run that he would have to lay down instead of sit on the bench when he wasn’t on the floor. Durant right now, is an unstoppable monster. Bird is perhaps the most competitive player in NBA history which makes this close but sometimes you are just too old.

Lebron James (SF HEAT) vs Charles Barkley (PF SUNS)

If this was a contest for who you’d rather hang out with, or who is more comfortable in their own skin, or more of a drunk/ recipient of head from hookers... Chuck all day. When it comes to basketball, however, Lebron James is unquestionably the better player here. He is the most exciting player since Jordan and seems to have finally figured it all out.

Dwight Howard (C Magic-for now) vs Patrick Ewing (C)

Superman versus P-U? Patrick all day. First of all, Patrick taught Dwight everything he knows down there in Orlando, but at the end of the day Howard is just an unbelievable freak of an athlete. He is not necessarily a great basketball player---he is a great defender but other than that he can only dunk. Patrick was a good defender (not as good as Howard) but a more skilled offensive player. He can make free throws, he can attack the rim in any way imaginable and can hit jump shots and the occasional perimeter shot.  Also in 1992, Ewing was very much in his prime and more athletic than some may remember. Ewing also used to have his dick taped to his leg for games and Howard impregnated a Magic cheerleader babe...both also impressive.

Chris Paul (Clippers) vs John Stockton (Jazz)

I think to everyone, old or young, it would seem obvious to give the advantage to Paul and the 2012 squad here. Paul is a more complete and much more physically gifted player. John Stockton’s shorts, however,  are far superior and that makes it closer.  I think Stockton is a good fit for the 92 team because he’s such a smart player and knows his job is to be a professor of distribution. Paul is a more talented player but this matchup would probably even itself out.

Dwayne Wade (SG Heat) vs Clyde Drexler (SG Trailblazers)

I think we all believe that Wade will go down as the overall better player, but he really became unimpressive at the end of the year. Also I think that if this game were to go down...the refereeing would also have to at least meet us somewhere in the late 90’s early 2000’s so I don’t think D. Wade gets away with all his drawing fouls bullshit. Drexler is somewhat an underrated player and in 1992 he was the MVP runner up to Jordan and probably a better player at that point than Wade is at this very moment. I actually think this matchup evens itself out.

Carmelo Anthony (SF Knicks) vs Chris Mullin (SF Warriors)

As a Knicks fan, there are so many things that frustrate me about Melo...his laziness, lack of defensive prowess, being a team cancer...etc...but the guy can flat out hit paydirt. Mullen made up for his lack of athletic ability with all the qualities that Melo lacks but at the end of the day Carmelo is the more dangerous guy on the floor.

Blake Griffin (PF Clippers) vs Karl Malone (PF Jazz)

Karl Malone in a blowout. Not even close. Blake is ESPN’s golden boy but he really can only dunk. Actually no, he can only dunk. Karl Malone was one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen, much more important than being one of the greatest athletes we’ve ever seen.

Kevin Love (C/PF Timberwolves) vs David Robinson (C SPURS)

The Admiral was a truly phenomenal center but Kevin Love is redefining the position for the next generation. He can score in any way possible but still can play like a true center. He is a more athletic and versatile version of the Admiral and doesn’t deserve to be wasting his talents in Minnesota.

 

Rudy Gay (SF Grizzlies) vs Scottie Pippen (SF BULLS)

The former (thats the first one mentioned for all  you brain surgeons out there) is not quite an elite player and the latter (that would be the second one mentioned) is one of the 50 greatest of all time. Next.

Lamarcus Aldridge (C Trailblazers) vs Christian Laettner (PF Duke)

Christian Laettner? I won’t even discuss this one, you all know where the advantage lies.