Reply With Quote
who do you got?
BEIJING – With each successive blowout, each complete manhandling of compe ion exponentially greater than Magic, Michael and Larry could have fathomed, the question about the current USA men’s basketball team isn’t about redemption, it’s about greatness.
As in, is this the greatest basketball team ever assembled?
Could they even take the original Dream Team?
Immediate reactions of blasphemy aside, the debate is certain to heat up if Team USA continues its blitzkrieg of the Beijing Olympics and wins the gold.
The team play has been extraordinary, the defense suffocating and even the outside shooting precise. On top of its game, the 2008 team is a tour de force to behold, its 119-82 annihilation of world champion Spain being the finest indication that this, at the very least, is the best Olympic team since 1992. And that includes a rather dominant 1996 U.S. club.
“They wanted to show everyone they are superior, and they did,” s -shocked Spanish center Pau Gasol said.
1992 DREAM TEAM
NAME POS. HT WT AFFILIATION
Charles Barkley F 6-6 250 Phoenix Suns
Larry Bird F 6-9 220 Boston Celtics
Clyde Drexler G 6-7 222 Portland Trail Blazers
Patrick Ewing C 7-0 240 New York Knicks
Earvin Johnson G 6-9 220 Los Angeles Lakers
Michael Jordan G 6-6 198 Chicago Bulls
Christian Laettner F 6-11 235 Duke University
Karl Malone F 6-9 256 Utah Jazz
Chris Mullin F 6-7 215 Golden State Warriors
Scottie Pippen G/F 6-7 210 Chicago Bulls
David Robinson C 7-1 235 San Antonio Spurs
John Stockton G 6-1 175 Utah Jazz
2008 REDEEM TEAM
NAME POS. HT. WT. AFFILIATION
Carmelo Anthony F 6-8 230 Denver Nuggets
Carlos Boozer F 6-9 258 Utah Jazz
Chris Bosh F 6-10 230 Toronto Raptors
Kobe Bryant G 6-6 220 Los Angeles Lakers
Dwight Howard F-C 6-11 265 Orlando Magic
LeBron James F 6-8 240 Cleveland Cavaliers
Jason Kidd G 6-4 210 Dallas Mavericks
Chris Paul G 6-0 170 New Orleans Hornets
Tayshaun Prince F 6-9 205 Detroit Pistons
Michael Redd G 6-6 215 Milwaukee Bucks
Dwayne Wade G 6-4 212 Miami Heat
Deron Williams G 6-3 205 Utah Jazz
Superior even to the original squad? Here’s why the argument, first broached by Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post, is at the very least a valid one.
The 1992 team didn’t need to bring its “best” team to Barcelona to roll through the Olympics. USA Basketball selected it in part based on personality, marketing and even lifetime achievement.
Magic Johnson had been retired for a year. The Larry Bird of ‘92 was long past his prime, six years removed from his final league most valuable player award.
John Stockton was chosen over Isiah Thomas because Michael Jordan didn’t want Thomas around. Twelfth-man Christian Laettner, the NCAA player of the year, was selected as a nod to the past days of collegians representing the country.
Those four players averaged the fewest points on the team. Not that any of it mattered. The U.S. outscored opponents by an average of 43.8 points per game and became a phenomenon in the process.
In 2008 there is no such luxury, not with the improved play of the rest of the world.
The final players on the current U.S. team are Tayshaun Prince and Michael Redd. Prince is a defensive stopper with his pterodactyl-like wing span. Redd is a dead-on outside shooter.
All 12 of the current American players are either in their prime or about to enter it. This team is younger, quicker and certainly more focused, mostly because it needs to be.
Comparing results at these games is almost futile. The 1992 team could party the night away in Barcelona, roll out of bed and still win by 40. There have been no reports of such a thing here, where preparation is paramount.
“We realize that we made a sacrifice to come out here, and part of it is our bodies need to sleep,” said Carlos Boozer. “This is what we signed up for. Let’s go do whatever it takes to get it. If it takes leaving the arena at one in the morning to get the gold medal, we’ll [do it to] get the gold medal.”
The thing is, had they needed to be, the 1992 team would’ve been just as focused. Jordan would have assured that.
If anything tilts the balance forever in the original team’s advantage, it is MJ. In the summer of 1992, he was 29 years old and in the middle of winning six NBA championships and five NBA MVPs, numbers that could’ve been higher had he not chosen to play baseball for a season and a half.
He is undeniably not only the greatest player in the history of the game, but arguably its greatest crunch-time player and, along with Bill Russell, the best at simply finding ways to win. If it came down to a final shot, who’s betting against him?
The current team, as talented as it is, would have no logical answer.
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, considered the three best players and outrageously gifted in their own right, are all a step down from MJ.
However, the idea of Kobe defending Jordan, his idol, would be intriguing.
Conversely, the 1992 team has nothing quite like the physical freak that is the 6-foot-8, 240-pound LeBron. Scottie Pippen on him would be a acious matchup, though.
As good as the perimeter talent on the 1992 team was – especially Jordan, Pippen, Clyde Drexler and knock-down shooter Chris Mullin – the current squad is deeper and certainly capable of its own fireworks.
It is inside where the 1992 team would hold a significant advantage and likely determine the game.
The Dream Team’s post combinations were breathtaking – Patrick Ewing and David Robinson at center and Charles Barkley and Karl Malone at power forward, all in their prime. The current group of Dwight Howard, a tender 21 years old, Chris Bosh and Boozer would be overwhelmed and perhaps systematically fouled out. Carmelo Anthony, an uninterested defender, would have to be counted on here to help.
The only way for the current team to win would be to push the ball, score in transition and find a way to prevent the 1992 club from dumping it down low.
Could they do it?
The most difficult thing to determine is effort level. The 1992 team didn’t need it. This team is focused almost exclusively on it, especially on the defensive end.
“For 40 minutes we (want) to be nonstop movement and chaos,” said Chris Paul. “That’s what we try to do. We wreck havoc. Every time down we’re all over the point guards. Our big men are up, we’re not relaxing.”
In a single elimination game, that may or may not be enough.
“You will see a team of professionals in the Olympics again,” 1992 U.S. coach Chuck Daly said at the time, “but I don’t think you’ll see another team quite like this.”
If anything, you could argue that while the 1992 version may remain the greatest team ever assembled and one that would be favored in a hypothetical matchup, no team has ever played the game at a higher level than the current U.S. team.
who do you got?
92, no doubt.
I'm pretty sure there was a thread about this a while ago and the vast majority said 1992 in a landslide. But, the thing is, both Magic and Bird were past their primes, and Bird had serious back issues. I'm pretty sure he even was retired by that time. Everyone on the current US team is in their respective primes or not even their yet except Jason Kidd. I think it would be closer than many think. Original Dream Team has the advantage inside with Ewing, Robinson, Barkley, and Malone. The current team is actually more athletic.
I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be a blowout either way.
My breakdown:
PG - Johnson/Stockton vs. Kidd/Paul/Williams
SG - Jordan/Drexler/Mullin vs. Bryant/Wade/Redd
SF - Barkley/Bird/Pippen vs. James/Prince
PF - Malone/Laettner vs. Anthony/Boozer
C - Ewing/Robinson vs. Howard/Bosh
Keep in mind some factors... Magic was not the player he once was, and neither was Bird, as Magic already had been retired, and Bird retired after the olympics, and neither of them were playing quite at the level of guys like Chris Paul, Deron Williams, or Lebron James.
I think the 1992 Team has a clear advantage at the C position, while the 2008 team is clearly better at PG. Now while Malone > Carmello and Boozer, they both >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Laettner. Talent wise, even though he isnt really a PF, Carmello is definitley more talented than Malone. Unfortunately for a talent such as Carmello, he has a ty at ude and doesn't play defense which gave Malone the advantage in my book. Also, call me crazy, and as much as I love Jordan, I would give the edge at SG to the 2008 team as well, mainly because Wade is playing at such a high level, and is unquestionably a better basketball player than Clyde ever was. SF is about a wash, mainly because of the depth of the 1992 team. But Lebron is definitely a better player than Barkley ever was, and is playing at a FAR higher level than both Bird and Pippen. I don't know where the writer of the article got the idea that Pippen would be a acious matchup for Lebron, as I think Lebron would make Pippen look absolutely stupid. Also, while people dog on the 2008 team for 3 point shooting, the 1992 team isnt too much better. Keep in mind that the compe ion that 2008 is facing >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the 1992 compe ion.
It's really hard to say which team would win. 1992 team has MJ (their most unguardable player) and an advantage at the center position. 2008 team has 10x the athleticism, more overall talent, and Lebron (their most unguardable player). I think the 1992 team would have just as hard of a time stopping Lebron as 2008 would have stopping Jordan.
In a 7 game series, I give the edge to 2008.
The team with Michael effing Jordan.
You pretty much got all my points covered. I think the thing that puts 2008 over the top is the athleticism/prime factors. IMO, they are considerably more athletic, and have more players in or reaching their primes. the 1992 team was actually a pretty old team when you look at it closely.
The '92 would win because the 2008 team would be in awe and would probably want their autographs after the game like Angola...
you might be one of the worst posters i have ever seen
LMAO.......... 92 in a landslide. I watched the 1992 team and also this 2008 team. Here is what I see.
The 1992 team played globetrotter basketball.....throwing buckets of confetti and on the floor, and still beat teams by 44pts a game. The 2008 team has stunk it up and also has blown people out........but, they have played their asses off to do it. If the 92 team was focused......they could have whooped all of their opponents by 70pts.
The 2008 team is good, but the 92 team had seasoned vets and they all could shoot rings around the 2008 team in my opinion. I watched a couple of games last week with the 08 team and they couldnt hit the side of a friggen bus.
Bron and company also would not be able to just run to the rim and dunk on everyone like they are doing against these olympic opponents.......Ewing, Malone, Barkley and Robinson would put a halt to that .
.................and then there is MJ. Nuff said
1992 >>>>>> 2008 and I dont think its all that close.
I think the 92 team is a little better because of the center position and MJ.
I figured my response was the only one I could give to your dumbass thread. I guess you watched 'The Redeem Team' got a boner off Kobe and Lebron and decided that hey this team could possibly beat the original Dream Team....WRONG!
And I'm so sorry I don't meet your high standards for posting but I actually haven't mastered it yet since I'm not some 18 year old pimple faced loser sitting in his mom's basement like you. Eat a .
Consider the compe ion in the 1992 Olympics.
Doesnt matter...........I personally think the 92 team would have been blowing out this years Olympic compe ion by 50-60pts a game.......playing the game like an All-Star game doing it. No look passes, alley oops, behind the back passes......throwin confetti at the refs and .
1992 in a landslide. You can't beat a team with MJ, Bird, Magic, Stockton, Ewing, Robinson, and Malone
People have very short memories............and those who dont, just were too young or werent even born in 92. That team was FAR superior than the one assembled now. PERIOD.
/ this dumbass thread.
If they play by international rules, the 92 team has players who can nail down outside shots just as well as the 08 team (probably better). 92 also had better passers and cutters.
If they play by NBA rules, the 92 team can dominate with the inside out game due to advantage in the post position.
I would love to see the game whenver Christian Laettner is on the floor though, he would probably look like me in an NBA game.
Oh, oh, oh, let´s have another official SpursTalk summer poll so that 80% idiots can vote for the 2008 team!
Dream Team because they had more white guys
But in all seriousness, I'd have to say 1992, because they were more complete accross the board. Better overall shooting, as every one of their players could hit the jumper, including their big men, better defense, better rebounding, better size and they had Jordan. That's the trump card right there. I don't think MJ in 1992 is allowing his team to go down.
Not nobody, not no how...
2008 would win. 92 players we're already past thier prime....and compe ion were easier back then, showing how dominating this 2008 squad is.
Current team still doesn't shoot well enough. They get a large portion of their points off turnovers, something they won't have against the Dream Team. Easy steals for Dwyane Wade off Ricky Rubio or VSpan or some other ty Euro isn't gonna happen against Magic or Stockton.
And the Dream Team can play good enough defense to force the 08 squad into jumpers they don't want to take.
Dream Team 100
Redeem Team 90
........whatever.
Bird and Magic were a bit past their prime.......WHO else was?? Not Drexler, Malone, Ewing, DRob, Barkley, MJ, Pippen, Mullen .................Who else???
I would take a past the prime Bird and Magic over ALOT of current NBA players. I would take both over Tayshaun Prince and Kidd. So that nullifies those players.
The 92 players were much, much better shooters. All the way around........jump shots, 3pts, and free throws.
Exactly.
There is noway in anyone can convince me that the 2008 team can beat this group of guys.............no way.
Oh yeah, the US didnt play against any talent........
I would say the talent they played against may have been better than the current world talent.
The 1992 Dream Team's Olympic Summary
Team USA cruised through its qualifying round with a 6-0 record. The team then took on Angola in the opening game of the Olympic compe ion. Barkley had 24 points in a team USA 116-48 romp. The Dream Team next took on a talented Croatia team and beat them soundly by 33 points, led by Jordan's 21. The United States team then defeated Germany (with later NBA All Star Detlef Schrempf and Uwe Blab) behind Larry Bird's 19 points and Karl Malone's 18. In the next game, seven USA players scored in double digits and Barkley set the new single game Team USA scoring record with 30 points in a 127-83 rout of Brazil. Team USA then closed out pool play with a resounding 122-81 drubbing of Spain.
In the quarter finals, Mullin scored a team high 21 points as the Dream Team scored a 115-77 victory over Puerto Rico. Team USA rolled on in the semis with a 51 point win over Lithuania (with then-current NBA player Šarūnas Marčiulionis and later NBA player Arvydas Sabonis). Nine US players scored in double figures. Jordan led the way in the gold medal game against Croatia (with five current or future NBA players in Dražen Petrović, Toni Kukoč, Dino Radja, Stojko Vranković, and Žan Tabak), scoring 22 points. Patrick Ewing had 15. Barkley had 17. The final game was the closest of the entire Olympics, with the Dream Team winning by 32 points in a 117-85 blowout to take the gold. The high point for Croatia was a brief 25-23 lead.
Barkley led the star-studded squad in scoring (with an average of 18.0 points per game and a field goal percentage of 71.1%)[9] followed by Mullin, who was also the second-leading scorer for the 1984 Olympic team. The Dream Team won the Olympic basketball tournament with an average margin of victory of 43.8 points and without coach Chuck Daly ever using a timeout.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
