92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

[AlexBrady]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

PG: Magic was still a terrific passer and handler, but wasn't the same player he once was. Stockton was an expert passer and shooter. Westbrook, Paul, and Williams are quicker and faster. The 2012 team has more depth at this spot and thats their edge.

Advantage: Edge for 2012

SG: Michael Jordan was slightly better than Kobe in almost every aspect, not to mention his relative youth. Clyde Drexler has a considerable edge over James Harden in every area. Andre Iguodala can defend, but can't shoot. Chris Mullin was strictly a shooter, but man could he fill it!

Advantage: Big edge for 92 team.

SF: Larry Bird's back was in bad shape and he was mostly a perimeter shooter. Scottie Pippen was a master defender and scored on the run. Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony would destroy that incarnation of Bird but they would have a tough time against Pippen's swarming defense.

Advantage: Edge for 2012.

PF: LeBron James is quicker and faster than Malone and Barkley, but those two would bang and lean on LeBron for the duration. Kevin Love is an ace spot shooter and big time board-man, but he can't guard. Blake Griffin is mostly a dramatic dunker. Christian Laettner never played.

Advantage: Edge for 92.

C: Patrick Ewing didn't play much defense, but he could shoot. David Robinson was quick and an excellent shot-blocker. Tyson Chandler can run, rebound, and block. Scoring, shooting, and depth is 92's big edge.

Advantage: Huge edge for 92.

I would take the 92 team in five games, with their average margin of victory being 10 points. The 2012 squad would just be pushed around by the 92 team.
Even the 96 team would beat the 2012 team in six games.

[ZB9]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

It's gonna look bad if this USA squad gets beat by Spain. I dont think that's gonna happen but they should probably play some games first before comparing themselves to the greatest and most dominate team ever assembled in sports history

[Jasong7777]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

The 92 team most definitely, but it wouldn't be a run away like most think.

[23]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

All the 92 team has to do is dump it inside and keep driving

Chandler ends up in foul trouble and its over

On defense you'd have to get past prime MJ Pip then Chuck and Malone then Ewing and Robinson

Sorry man, im not buying the 5 games...

All of these 92 issues and they took out teams by an average of what was it 50 points

Lebron would be countered, he can't do it alone, Melo is all offense no defense, and Durant could be neutralized just like Miami did

[RayAllen20]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

I know thats a joke because not those personalities

I don't think it is a joke...cause its believed that they really did purposely lose a game to a bunch of college players (C-Webb, Bobby Hurley).

Either you believe that, or you believe that those college kids legitimately beat them. Granted, Jordan didn't really play in that game too much but the Dream Team still should've killed them. I personally believe the game wasn't cared about by the players too much, they took the college kids lights lightly, and the US coaching staff wanted them to lose to get their attention.



And I don't think this whole comparison is ridiculous. Everyone seems to forget that Magic was retired, and was a pretty bad defender. Bird also had a really bad back and had trouble just getting ready to play a game. The 2012 team has two players who are in their prime and are all time greats in LeBron and Durant. Those two could very well have their careers be considered as successful as Magics, Larrys, and Michaels. Meanwhile of those three, only Michael was in his prime for the 92 team.

And before you said they won every game by 40, remember that the competition from the rest of the world in the '90s was an absolute joke. The teams Spain, and Argentina bring out today are no joke. They could definitely beat the U.S. in a single elimination game this olympics.

Kobe despite being the same age as Magic (33) really isn't as over the hill as everyone likes to say he is. Yeah he's technically old now, but he's still probably a top 5 player in the league, and just lead the league in scoring. He's still probably better than Clyde Drexler was then.

I'd still take the Dream Team just because they are way deeper with other stars in their prime such as Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing. The '12 team isn't that deep. Griffin, Harden, and Iguodala don't really compare to those players.


However, if the 2012 team had everybody possible, then I would take them. No lie, I think a team of CP3, D-Will, D Rose, Kobe, Wade, Melo, LeBron, Durant, Bosh, Howard would probably beat the Dream Team in a 7 game series. Those stars would basically all be in their prime and I think they'd have a great shot at winning that series.

I dont know thats just what I think of it. Not a ridiculous comparison at all in my opinion. I'd just go with Dream Team > 2012 team....but Possible 2012 team > Dream Team.

[23]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

I don't think it is a joke...cause its believed that they really did purposely lose a game to a bunch of college players (C-Webb, Bobby Hurley).

This has nothing to do with some practice session that they didnt take serious
(there's a reason Daly sat MJ out the entire time)


There is no way they'd come out and LET some inferior team Have a couple of games just because in a serious competition against other NBA players

[23]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Kobe despite being the same age as Magic (33) really isn't as over the hill as everyone likes to say he is. Yeah he's technically old now, but he's still probably a top 5 player in the league, and just lead the league in scoring. He's still probably better than Clyde Drexler was then.

Kevin Durant led the league in scoring this year

[PrettyT11]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Yeah this is an absolute joke of a question. The 92 team would dominate the paint with ease. Hell to take it a step further like Pack said this 2012 team isn't even as good as the 2008 team.

The funny part that stands out the most to me in this convo is Kobe and some of the other guys saying the OG dream team was old, past prime, and at the end of the line but like MJ said most of the team was still in their 20's. One of the first things that stand out to me is 6 of the next 7 MVP's after those 92 olympics came from guys on that team(Hakeem won the other one). Just some numbers to show the level of excellence these guys was playing at

MJ 30,6,and 6 on 52 percent shooting
Malone 28 and 11 on 53 percent shooting
Robinson 23,12, and 4.5 blocks a night on 55 percent shooting and was 26
Barkley 23 and 11 on 55 percent shooting
Pippen 21,8, and 7 and was 26
Stockton 16,14 and 3 steals
Ewing 24 and 11
Mullin 26 a night on 52 percent
Drexler 25,7,and 7

Those are some damn good numbers for guys who are suppose to be old and past their prime.

[Jukeman]

I don't think it is a joke...cause its believed that they really did purposely lose a game to a bunch of college players (C-Webb, Bobby Hurley).

I wasnt serious.

[ex carrabba fan]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Oh, this thread again.

Lol

Comparing different eras is what really floats boats around here...

You put either this team or the 2008 team against anyone and it's not going to be easy. Neither of those two teams would be dominated or anything of that nature by any team ever assembled. To assert as such is pretty naive.

You put egos on the line and pride at stake, in a direct competition? How can anyone say with such certainty what would result is hilarious.

If you had to handicap it, sure, go with 92. In an actual direct series, handicaps and bets go out the window.

[23]

Oh, this thread again.

Lol

Comparing different eras is what really floats boats around here...

You put either this team or the 2008 team against anyone and it's not going to be easy. Neither of those two teams would be dominated or anything of that nature by any team ever assembled. To assert as such is pretty naive.

You put egos on the line and pride at stake, in a direct competition? How can anyone say with such certainty what would result is hilarious.

If you had to handicap it, sure, go with 92. In an actual direct series, handicaps and bets go out the window.

No

I would say the dream team would dominate inside period because nobody on this squad could stop the forces they had inside

Barkley ewing robinson and,malone...thats no contest. Add mj and magic posting guys up and you can forget it

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk 2

[PrettyT11]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Oh, this thread again.

Lol

Comparing different eras is what really floats boats around here...

You put either this team or the 2008 team against anyone and it's not going to be easy. Neither of those two teams would be dominated or anything of that nature by any team ever assembled. To assert as such is pretty naive.

You put egos on the line and pride at stake, in a direct competition? How can anyone say with such certainty what would result is hilarious.

If you had to handicap it, sure, go with 92. In an actual direct series, handicaps and bets go out the window.

Ex I disagree when you are talking in regards to this 2012 against the 92 team. Guys would have a much better argument with the 08 but this 2012 team doesn't really stand up well against 92.

Mostly the killer difference is on the inside. We all know size kills in basketball and 92 has to legit hall of fame 7 footers with offensive game. 2012 has nothing to match up against that. The size and defensive advantages are enough to put all your money on 92.

The other killer difference is the second units and frankly this 2012 team isn't close to being as deep as 92. There is no way a second unit of Westbrook or Deron, Iggy or Harden, Melo, Blake and Love could stand a chance of stopping a second unit of Stockton, Drexler, Mullin, Malone or Barkley, and Robinson. Malone and Robinson could easily drop 30 to 40 on Love and Blake. They both are sub par defenders and outside of Dirk they have never faced offensive forces like Malone and Robinson.

The depth 92 had is just on another level. They have multiple legit 25 plus a night scorers coming off the bench. There is just too much legit firepower on that team for 2012 to really compete with.

Lastly the thing that should show guys how lopsided this thing really is are what Barkley said and it holds very true. The only guys on this 2012 team who could honestly make the 92 team are LeBron, Kobe, and Durant. On the flip side outside of Laettner every player on the dream team would easily make this 2012 team.

[DocHolliday]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Im taking the 92' Dream team.....

However, if this team had a Healthy D. Rose and D. Howard, I think they could take the 92' team on pure athleticism and youth.

True Story.

[24]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

I felt bad for the 2012 squad so I clicked them

[wwharton]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Prime Magic would've been an even tougher match-up for the 2012 squad, I was only asking because areobee said the 2012 team is not including the best players because of injuries.

My point is the 92 team had players not at 100% also. That's the nature of sports. If we're not going to compare the teams as they are (especially in the hypothetical of adding players bc we can sub in Shaq to that 92 team and send Laettner to his coach if we wanted to start adding guys), then the 92 team would be even more impressive.

And I don't think this whole comparison is ridiculous. Everyone seems to forget that Magic was retired, and was a pretty bad defender. Bird also had a really bad back and had trouble just getting ready to play a game. The 2012 team has two players who are in their prime and are all time greats in LeBron and Durant. Those two could very well have their careers be considered as successful as Magics, Larrys, and Michaels. Meanwhile of those three, only Michael was in his prime for the 92 team.

To the bold, no, no and not even close to anything but no.

As for the overall comparison, I don't know why people always due player for player to guess at a team result. I'd take the defense of the 92 team over this year's without even a hesitation. I'd also say the majority of that team knew how to get points when it was needed (not iso, everyone stand around and watch). And I love CP3, Deron and James as playmakers but the ability to flow within a system is much better on that 92 teams, whether it's knowing how to attack a defense when it doesn't involve scoring or generally moving without the ball. There's plenty to be said for youth/energy but more to be said from the amount of high level experience (when we consider they were all producing at the same statistical level as the members of the 2012 team).