92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

[ZB9]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

If you combined the two teams, this is the best lineup imo

PG: Scottie Pippen
SG: Michael Jordan
SF: Lebron James
PF: Charles Barkley
C : David Robinson

[wwharton]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Magic's game had really slowed down by 92 and Rose has mercurial speed and quickness. Rose would easily run rings around Magic. Magic is stronger and would be able to post Rose. The passing edge goes to Magic. Neither is a good shooter or defender. Based on his youth and quickness, give the edge to Rose.

Michael Jordan has the slight edge over Kobe Bryant in every area, except shooting range. Jordan is also superior to Wade in every category, except physical strength. Edge to Jordan.

LeBron has an edge over Bird in strength, quickness, passing, and overall defense. Bird is a more reliable shooter. Assuming this is the 92 version of Bird, give a significant edge to LeBron.

Kevin Durant is quicker, longer, and a better shooter than Barkley. Sir Charles is much stronger and more belligerent on the boards. This would probably be a mutual scorefest, but Barkley would eventually wear Durant to a nub.

Patrick Ewing is a better scorer/shooter than Howard. Dwight is better on the boards. Neither is a good defender. Call it even.

I would take the 92 team in seven close games.

The comparison just doesn't work... if you're handicapping one of the teams you're already admitting they're too inferior and working to make them equal (I know it wasn't your comparison, just replied to your post).

We don't know who Rose will be running circles around anymore, or if Dwight would be laid out on the floor like Bird was after his limited minutes bc of back issues. How is it fair to assume today's players at their best to compare them to just the '92 version of the Dream Team?

Anyway, I think I'd disagree with Lebron having the edge on Bird in passing. I think that's a wash... and Bird's NEED to do absolutely ANYTHING to win needs to be taken into account too. That man would probably punch his mother if it'd lead to making a game winning shot.

Yes, it would make more sense. Durant would have the edge over Bird in quickness, speed, hops, and explosiveness. Shooting is about even, with both being somewhat streaky. The edge would go to Durant.

LeBron is quicker, faster, and has more shooting range than Barkley. But Charles is a banger and better on the boards. Given that LeBron isn't very comfortable playing post defense, Barkley would eventually wear him down.

I also disagree with Lebron having the edge on Barkley in shooting range. Both have NBA 3 point range and neither are/were consistent enough with it to really call them a threat. Completely different styles of getting a jump shot but I'd call their "shooting range" a wash too.

[AlexBrady]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

You're right wwharton, it may be unrealistic to expect Howard or Rose to return to form. Good points made.

LeBron and Bird are both shoot-first players. I have had the pleasure of seeing both LeBron and Bird live and in person. From what I saw, LeBron's passes have a little more 'snap' to them. But they are both outstanding in that department. Agreed, its foolish to underestimate the clutch-time prowess of Bird. He would do whatever it took.

LeBron is erratic from three, but Barkley even moreso. LeBron shoots the three at a 33% clip in the regular season, 31% in the playoffs. Barkley shot threes at 26% in the regular season, 25% in the playoffs. I feel like this constitutes an edge for LeBron. You're right though, different styles.

[Dice]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Anyway, I think I'd disagree with Lebron having the edge on Bird in passing. I think that's a wash... and Bird's NEED to do absolutely ANYTHING to win needs to be taken into account too. That man would probably punch his mother if it'd lead to making a game winning shot.

While I agree that the passing between Bird and Lebron is a wash, I don't think the intangibles of Bird factor into this match-up. Yes, Bird has more will than Lebron but we're talking about 92 Bird, the year he retired. Bird barley could stand and he wouldn't stand a chance against Lebron. Now 86 Bird might be a different story. But the physical aspect of a 92 Bird is too much of a hindrance in this match-up. Sheer will gets you so far but no basketball player can beat 'Father Time'. And he's infinity-0 against every player who's played. I actually agree with AlexBrady's original assessment of this match-up. Lebron wins significantly.

[ojandpizza]

To do the dude who said Rose would run Circles around Magic.. Why in the hell would they put Magic on Rose defensively??? It's obviously if those were the line-ups that Jordan would have to guard Rose, just because they're both listed as a PG doesn't mean they have to guard each other.. Besides Rose is so overrated, and Durant would not be able to play physical ball against 92' team, he be stuck standing around shooting kick outs like he did in the finals against the Heat.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

'92 would win, however, I believe the most dominant player on the court would have been LeBron.

[Nathan_OS]

'92 would win, however, I believe the most dominant player on the court would have been LeBron.

And where would Jordan stand?

[The 24th Letter]

'92 would win, however, I believe the most dominant player on the court would have been LeBron.

Right after MJ, lol

[JerzeyReign]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

I voted for the '92 Dream Team but I agree Lebron would have been the most dominant.

Even though '92 Jordan was young, Kobe may have been able to check him (at least slow him down) being that their games are almost identical and Kobe has that vet experience over him at that point.

Nobody on the Dream Team would have checked Lebron -- I'm almost daring someone to come out of their neck to say Larry Bird, lol. This is OS, I know his name will be dropped.

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

I voted for the '92 Dream Team but I agree Lebron would have been the most dominant.

Even though '92 Jordan was young, Kobe may have been able to check him (at least slow him down) being that their games are almost identical and Kobe has that vet experience over him at that point.

Nobody on the Dream Team would have checked Lebron -- I'm almost daring someone to come out of their neck to say Larry Bird, lol. This is OS, I know his name will be dropped.

Kobe would have not been able to do anything to Jordan at that time, he can barely stop guys with half of his talent at this point in his career.

[wwharton]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

While I agree that the passing between Bird and Lebron is a wash, I don't think the intangibles of Bird factor into this match-up. Yes, Bird has more will than Lebron but we're talking about 92 Bird, the year he retired. Bird barley could stand and he wouldn't stand a chance against Lebron. Now 86 Bird might be a different story. But the physical aspect of a 92 Bird is too much of a hindrance in this match-up. Sheer will gets you so far but no basketball player can beat 'Father Time'. And he's infinity-0 against every player who's played. I actually agree with AlexBrady's original assessment of this match-up. Lebron wins significantly.

No doubt, I wasn't suggesting Bird's fire would be enough to win the match up at that point... just saying it needs to be factored in. I don't look at these as a series of 1 on 1 games. I'm also speaking of Bird with a healthy back (still at that point in his career) since AB's break down was against a 2012 team that has Rose and Howard so it wouldn't be fair to magically heal them but have Bird's back still be an issue. In terms of playing as a team, Bird's heart/fire/competitive nature should be considered in how the team would do. His role would, no doubt, be much smaller than Lebron's role on his team though.

I voted for the '92 Dream Team but I agree Lebron would have been the most dominant.

Even though '92 Jordan was young, Kobe may have been able to check him (at least slow him down) being that their games are almost identical and Kobe has that vet experience over him at that point.

Nobody on the Dream Team would have checked Lebron -- I'm almost daring someone to come out of their neck to say Larry Bird, lol. This is OS, I know his name will be dropped.

So you're saying that even though the GOAT was in his prime, a guy who most people think only gets mentioned on the all defensive team is because of his name and the past would be able to check him? Really??? Go take a look at Jordan's playoffs/finals stats. No idea why anyone would think a young Kobe (who was a good defender) would slow him down, let alone the 2012 version.

As for Lebron, pretty sure this isn't his first Olympic team and I'm pretty sure he wasn't overwhelmingly dominant on Team USA to this point, so I don't know why we should think that's what he'd become when playing the best possible match up they could ever have. Physical ability alone doesn't make you dominant... especially from a wing player. He may be the most important and that's within question. Highly doubt he'd be the most dominant, especially with some great basketball minds and defenders making their point to make sure he's not.

[JerzeyReign]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

So you're saying that even though the GOAT was in his prime, a guy who most people think only gets mentioned on the all defensive team is because of his name and the past would be able to check him? Really??? Go take a look at Jordan's playoffs/finals stats. No idea why anyone would think a young Kobe (who was a good defender) would slow him down, let alone the 2012 version.

As for Lebron, pretty sure this isn't his first Olympic team and I'm pretty sure he wasn't overwhelmingly dominant on Team USA to this point, so I don't know why we should think that's what he'd become when playing the best possible match up they could ever have. Physical ability alone doesn't make you dominant... especially from a wing player. He may be the most important and that's within question. Highly doubt he'd be the most dominant, especially with some great basketball minds and defenders making their point to make sure he's not.

You and your boy picked what parts to attack in my comment, huh? You left out the 'their games are almost identical' so vet Kobe may have been able to slow him down. Just like I think a vet Jordan would slow down a 'in his prime' Kobe. And if Kobe couldn't do it, I'm sure Mr. James could slow him down.

And Lebron has just entered his prime -- this season -- like Jordan's and other's early years, he was just playing off pure athleticism -- I think he has finally learned how to play basketball. You mention his previous trips to international ball -- the '04 team (one of the worst assembled) and the '08 team, which I don't remember him being dominant but I remember him being one of the reasons we regained the gold medal. Not sure why you brought them up?

Edit: Reading your last paragraph, it seems to me you've forgotten the basketball mind Lebron/Kobe possess. Name someone on the '92 team that would check Lebron.

[DieHardYankee26]

You and your boy picked what parts to attack in my comment, huh? You left out the 'their games are almost identical' so vet Kobe may have been able to slow him down. Just like I think a vet Jordan would slow down a 'in his prime' Kobe. And if Kobe couldn't do it, I'm sure Mr. James could slow him down.

at "you and your boy" like it's a conspiracy to tear down your post. We didn't overlook any part of your post. The similarity in their styles would not help Kobe from getting blown by by a prime Jordan. And seeing as how LeBron isn't a great man to man defender and this is Jordan, I doubt it.

I don't think LeBron could've dealt with someone who had both the physical traits and basketball skills that 92 Jordan had. He basically did what he wanted, and could get a shot off in too many different ways, and could finish through basically infinite traffic. It's not that Kobe and LeBron or scrubs, Jordan was just that good.

And this is coming from a Knick fan who hated Jordan's guts

[wwharton]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

You and your boy picked what parts to attack in my comment, huh? You left out the 'their games are almost identical' so vet Kobe may have been able to slow him down. Just like I think a vet Jordan would slow down a 'in his prime' Kobe. And if Kobe couldn't do it, I'm sure Mr. James could slow him down.

And Lebron has just entered his prime -- this season -- like Jordan's and other's early years, he was just playing off pure athleticism -- I think he has finally learned how to play basketball. You mention his previous trips to international ball -- the '04 team (one of the worst assembled) and the '08 team, which I don't remember him being dominant but I remember him being one of the reasons we regained the gold medal. Not sure why you brought them up?

Pretty sure we both specifically addressed exactly what you said. This isn't addressing it?

No idea why anyone would think a young Kobe (who was a good defender) would slow him down, let alone the 2012 version.

Maybe you needed us to say their games aren't almost identical? Because they're not. Kobe's the closest we've seen but that doesn't make them almost identical. And even at his best, Kobe wasn't close to the defender Jordan was. So, it sounds like you're suggesting that since Kobe attacks the rim like Jordan and has developed a similar fall away shot he can defend the best player on the planet doing those things to him. That just doesn't make sense.

BTW, by 92 Jordan had played 7 years in the NBA, so I don't know what "vet" advantage you think Kobe would have. Not to mention it's crazy to think 2012 Kobe, who's older than Jordan was at the time and clearly on the downside of his career defensively could contain Jordan, who's better overall anyway and was still in his offensive prime. It seems you've ignored everything in my post though... like checking his playoffs/finals stats when entire top level teams tried to slow him down yet for his career he averaged over 33 points to go along with 6 assists and 6 rebounds per game. Like I said, don't know why anyone would think anyone (including young or old Kobe or Lebron James) could check him.

Based on your Lebron comment, I just don't think you really know much about Jordan. But that's another issue all together. Lebron finally had a championship series we expected to see with his talent and now he can destroy anyone, right? I don't remember him flying by anyone that compares to Jordan or Pippen defensively... or getting by them and running into the likes of David Robinson defensively. And his performance in the other Olympic games shows better his personality on a team full of alpha dogs. We're talking about the most dominant and you have to have a mentality to be that on a team full of traditionally #1 options. Personally I don't think the most dominant means much of anything. I'd probably say it'd be someone like Melo (because he'd decide he needs to score alot and take them out of a team game looking for his shot) or Barkley (because the gameplan would likely be forcing the ball inside combined with him having that Melo mentality). On either of these teams there wouldn't be a player that everyone else on the court just works to force the ball to like the Heat did. And best believe, if the 2012 Olympic team decided forcing the ball to Lebron was the best offensive approach in half court sets, they would lose by 20+ at least.

[cjonesfan921]

Re: 92' Dream team vs 2012 USA team

Right after MJ, lol

Jordan is the better player, obviously, but LeBron's size and speed is unmatched. He is truly a freak of nature.