1992 Dream Team or 2012 Olympic Team?

[CardiacCoug]

Lebron and Kobe say they would win. What does the CUF collective think?

[DrumNFeather]

In the post alone, 1992 would dominate...not to mention, you know, Jordan, Magic, and Bird.

[TripletDaddy]

I know there is probably great sentiment for the original, and I admit to falling into that camp, but the original guys often overlook a critical but relevant fact. They like to cite to their utter dominance over the competition...rolling teams by an average of 40 ppg or somesuch.

However, flashing back to 1992, how many Euros were playing in the NBA, let alone at a high level? For the vast majority of the opposition, this was the first time the players had ever seen these NBA stars in person. Of course they were awestruck. Of course they were not used to playing against Jordan and the like.

Fast forward to today. Pretty much all of the good countries in the Olympics compete with one or more NBA players on their rosters. Tony Parker plays for France, Brasil has what....3 NBA players? Argentina, Spain....these guys play with or against Lebron and Kobe all season long. There is no awestruck moment and the current Team USA is playing more and more against legit NBA talent as opposed to starstruck hayseeds that were just happy to be involved in the Olympics.

I guess my point is that while I would still lean towards the original team, Im not so sure it would be the rout that some might think. This current team USA is hampered....D12 should be on the team, Wade, Blake Griffin. But at full strength, this current team is pretty good. I think it would be a good game.

[CardiacCoug]

In the post alone, 1992 would dominate...not to mention, you know, Jordan, Magic, and Bird.

Sure, that's sort of the conventional wisdom. But look how much better athletes in every sport seem to be now compared to 20 years ago. Why would basketball be an exception?

Who are Magic and Larry Bird going to be able to stay in front of on defense? And if having good post play is so important you wouldn't know it from this past NBA season.

[falafel]

People like to cite the fact that 92 had Magic Bird and Jordan. But Bird and Magic were at the end of their careers. Bird was lying on the floor half the time because of his back. IIRC, Magic hadn't played competitively for months because he had already retired.

Also, think how much quicker '12 is than '92. I love John Stockton, but is there anyone out there who thinks he could guard Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook?

[Coach McGuirk]

I'll say this, imagine jordan playing when you can't hand check him. On MJ alone I choose 1992. The add in 9 other hall of famers. Outside of Lebron and Kobe, is there another player on the 12 team that is on a trajectory for the HoF? Let alone top 50 of all time? Durant maybe, but barely.

[falafel]

I'll say this, imagine jordan playing when you can't hand check him. On MJ alone I choose 1992. The add in 9 other hall of famers. Outside of Lebron and Kobe, is there another player on the 12 team that is on a trajectory for the HoF? Let alone top 50 of all time? Durant maybe, but barely.

I wonder how many of today's players would be in the top 50 if they just came out with it today. I remember the top 50 being pretty heavily weighted with current players.

[Shaka]

I love John Stockton, but is there anyone out there who thinks he could guard Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook?

I do.

[Coach McGuirk]

I wonder how many of today's players would be in the top 50 if they just came out with it today. I remember the top 50 being pretty heavily weighted with current players.

Like who? Kobe, Shaq, Lebron, and who else?

[falafel]

Like who? Kobe, Shaq, Lebron, and who else?

I don't know, I was just wondering. That was a thought I had at the time the list came out.

[Moliere]

I think they'd play to a tie

But really, the 92 team would dominate down low so I'll go with them. I think everything else is a push.

[Jacob]

Robinson and Ewing vs Chandler/Love/Davis
Not much of a matchup

Malone and Barkley vs Love and Lebron (LeBron basically a 4 on this team, right?) Advantage 1992 due to LeBron being out of position

Durrant/Carmello/Iguadola vs Bird/Piipen/Mullen Advantage 2012 because Bird was basically retired But you take Pippen over Carmello every day. Durrant is the 2nd best player on 2012, so they get the edge here. Big edge here if LeBron is considered the 3.

Jordan/Drexler vs Kobe/Westbrook/Iquadola == Obviously Jordan wins this matchup all day long and not even a Laker fan would dare argue otherwise.

Magic/Stockton vs Paul/Deron/Westbrook -- give the edge to the new guys because Magic was retired even though Stockton would eat Paul alive and is perfect for passing to a team of scorers.

And someone said that 2012 has better athletes? Seriously? I'll give you LeBron and Westbrook but that's it.

Just look at the matchups. Robinson bests Chandler as an athlete. Malone and Barkley are in a different universe than Love. Jordon is Jordan. Sure Durant is an interesting athlete, but moreso that Magic?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Robinson and Ewing vs Chandler/Love/Davis
Not much of a matchup

Malone and Barkley vs Love and Lebron (LeBron basically a 4 on this team, right?) Advantage 1992 due to LeBron being out of position

Durrant/Carmello/Iguadola vs Bird/Piipen/Mullen Advantage 2012 because Bird was basically retired But you take Pippen over Carmello every day. Durrant is the 2nd best player on 2012, so they get the edge here. Big edge here if LeBron is considered the 3.

Jordan/Drexler vs Kobe/Westbrook/Iquadola == Obviously Jordan wins this matchup all day long and not even a Laker fan would dare argue otherwise.

Magic/Stockton vs Paul/Deron/Westbrook -- give the edge to the new guys because Magic was retired even though Stockton would eat Paul alive and is perfect for passing to a team of scorers.

And someone said that 2012 has better athletes? Seriously? I'll give you LeBron and Westbrook but that's it.

Just look at the matchups. Robinson bests Chandler as an athlete. Malone and Barkley are in a different universe than Love. Jordon is Jordan. Sure Durant is an interesting athlete, but moreso that Magic?

Huge advantages at 4 and 5 for 1992, especially with Christian Laetner. I think even 1992 Magic along with Stockton is way better than those PGs.

It's only the 3 where the 2012 team might be better. Plus Jordan was at his absolute peak in 1992.

[All-American]

People like to cite the fact that 92 had Magic Bird and Jordan. But Bird and Magic were at the end of their careers. Bird was lying on the floor half the time because of his back. IIRC, Magic hadn't played competitively for months because he had already retired.

Also, think how much quicker '12 is than '92. I love John Stockton, but is there anyone out there who thinks he could guard Chris Paul or Russell Westbrook?

Stockton managed to be quick enough on his feet to pick up more steals than anybody ever. That's got to count for something.

[MarkGrace]

I know there is probably great sentiment for the original, and I admit to falling into that camp, but the original guys often overlook a critical but relevant fact. They like to cite to their utter dominance over the competition...rolling teams by an average of 40 ppg or somesuch.

However, flashing back to 1992, how many Euros were playing in the NBA, let alone at a high level? For the vast majority of the opposition, this was the first time the players had ever seen these NBA stars in person. Of course they were awestruck. Of course they were not used to playing against Jordan and the like.

Fast forward to today. Pretty much all of the good countries in the Olympics compete with one or more NBA players on their rosters. Tony Parker plays for France, Brasil has what....3 NBA players? Argentina, Spain....these guys play with or against Lebron and Kobe all season long. There is no awestruck moment and the current Team USA is playing more and more against legit NBA talent as opposed to starstruck hayseeds that were just happy to be involved in the Olympics.

I guess my point is that while I would still lean towards the original team, Im not so sure it would be the rout that some might think. This current team USA is hampered....D12 should be on the team, Wade, Blake Griffin. But at full strength, this current team is pretty good. I think it would be a good game.

Spain's roster has 7 players with nba experience. Crazy to think how far the rest of the world has come in the last 20 years.