So I awoke this morning and watched a replay of one of my
favorite programs, a little diddy known as ‘Around the Horn.’ On it one of the
esteemed columnists, Mr. Bill Plaschke said one of the craziest things I have
ever heard. Right up there with an argument I heard on the train how Lil’ Wayne
was better than Tupac or Biggie. You see Mr. Plaschke said the craziest
basketball related thing I ever heard. He claims that the 2012 USA Basketball
team could beat the dream team. I’m gonna say it again because it bears
repeating. He claims that the 2012 USA Basketball team could beat the dream
team. So I’m gonna line the rosters up side by side and let’s just give a fair
analysis of who is better shall we?
Centers:
1992 Dream Team: 2012
Men’s Team:
David Robinson Tyson Chandler
Patrick Ewing
 |
| This is not what Tyson is used to. |
I don’t even need to tell you where the advantage lies. David
Robinson and Patrick Ewing will haunt the dreams of Tyson Chandler.
Advantage: Dream Team
Power Forwards:
1992 Dream Team: 2012
Men’s Team
Karl Malone Blake
Griffin
Charles Barkley Kevin
Love
Christian Laettner
 |
| They got Kevin Love trying to guard me? Thats turrible. |
Again…word? While Griffin and Love would eat Laettner’s
lunch, if they even gave Barkley and Malone a side glance they would get their
souls destroyed.
Advantage: Dream Team
Small Forwards:
1992 Dream Team 2012
Men’s Team
Larry Bird Kevin
Durant
Scottie Pippen Lebron
James
Chris Mullin Carmelo
Anthony
Andre
Iguodala
Chris Mullin is just criminally underrated.
This is where there is some argument for the current team.
Lebron and Durant are 1-2 in the league right now while Melo is still a
dominant if not ball hogging scorer and Iggy is an immensely talented wing
defender. Larry Bird at the time was a shell of his former self dealing with
back injuries, Mullin was an amazing scorer but overall the 2012 group gets a
slight nod.
Advantage: 2012 Team
Shooting Guard:
1992 Dream Team: 2012
Men’s Team:
Michael Jordan Kobe
Bryant
Clyde Drexler James
Harden
Shut up. We all know who get this one.
Advantage: Dream Team
Point Guards:
1992 Dream Team: 2012
Men’s Team:
John Stockton Chris
Paul
Magic Johnson Deron
Williams
Russell
Westbrook
This one is not as tough as I thought it would be. I think
the size and speed of Williams and Westbrook would dominate Stockton, and Chris
Paul vs Magic would be a basketball nerd’s dream. Overall the athleticism and
speed of this year’s guard would be the deciding factor.
Advantage: 2012 Team
Overall I fully expect the men’s team to win gold in London
but comparisons to the Dream Team must stop. They remain the most dominant team
in the modern era winning their games by 51.5 points per game. Dream Team would easily coast to victory. No
question.
2 comments:
I recently read an article that claimed that the '92 team was not the greatest of all time that most (and quite nearly all) of us hold them up to be. While I do not disagree with you, the article (ESPN I believe, or a Chicago writer you posted on FB maybe) made some valid arguments, mostly age of some of the dream team (Bird on his way out for example, which you did mention), or some injuries playing a factor (no Olajuwon for instance), or the fact that Magic, while not only older, was also out of the league for a year or two (not sure on exact dates, don't have the article up) after his announcement/retirement of contracting AIDS.
Also, one most note that the competition level of the rest of the world has steadily closed the gap to the USA, so much so that the likes of the margin of victory of the original dream team will never be matched again.
That said, I would maybe give more credit to Love/Griffin, but still, overall hands down, my vote is in the '92 team.
I give Griffin/Love credit as being good, but be honest and look into your soul, Charles Barkley and Karl Malone would eat them alive. try and dunk and Barkley and you may get thrown into the third row. Also outside of Bird/Magic the rest of the Dream Team was in their prime and under 30. And again they won by more than 51.5 points a night. Domination.
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