Dream team vs 2012 USA

[juju151111]

7 game series Who wins. Will the dream team dominant or the young guns make a statement

[StateOfMind12]

Dream Team in 4 assuming we are talking about the current 2012 USA team and not the original players on the 2012 team selected.

[GaryRaymond23]

Dream Team in 4 assuming we are talking about the current 2012 USA team and not the original players on the 2012 team selected.

I would still take Dream Team in 4 ..

[DurantFor40]

Dream team in 3

[juju151111]

Dream Team in 4 assuming we are talking about the current 2012 USA team and not the original players on the 2012 team selected.
You mean if Wade played?

[KyrieTheFuture]

Dream Team in 1. After being beaten by 37 the members of the current team commit synchronized seppuku.

[Glide2keva]

Dream Team in 4.

Prime Jordan, Malone, Stockton, Ewing, Robinson, Barkley, Drexler, Mullin

Young Scottie Pippen (5th season)

That's enough to beat this team without much trouble. And you still have Magic who, despite having not played in a year, still had it mentally and could still play.

This would be four blowouts.

[StateOfMind12]

You mean if Wade played?
Wade, Bosh, Howard, Rose, etc.

[juju151111]

Wade, Bosh, Howard, Rose, etc.
You can throw them in if u like. U would have to take out other players to add them

[bsyde82]

to say it wouldn't even be close is ridiculous. Anyone prescribing to that notion is basing their conclusion on nostalgia and mystique rather than actual logic.

Not saying 2012 would win, but where Dream Team has the edge in size, 2012 completely dominates them in athleticism/speed/youth/versatility.

Please.

[kuniva_dAMiGhTy]

2012 team would make this very interesting if they had all their bigs.

As constructed though? '92 in 6-7 games (with Jordan going ape the longer the series extended).

[Harison]

Most here probably too young to remember Dream team, that team would easily win over 2012 US. Maybe not sweep (not excluded), but the talent disparity and will power difference is just too great.

Just think about it - 3 Top10 players of All-time including GOAT vs... one, Kobe as 10th.

Malone, Barkley, DRob with Ewing eating current bigs alive, while back-court is just insane - Magic, Jordan, etc.

Current team just have no chance in the series. Bosh with Chandler vs insane frontcourt? :oldlol: LeBron is no match for MJ, CP3 is no match for Magic, etc.

Not fair match-up, current ***** cats would be outscored, outrebounded, out-defended, out-willed, out-clutched...

[824]

Most here probably too young to remember Dream team, that team would easily win over 2012 US. Maybe not sweep (not excluded), but the talent disparity and will power difference is just too great.

Just think about it - 3 Top10 players of All-time including GOAT vs... one, Kobe as 10th.

Malone, Barkley, DRob with Ewing eating current bigs alive, while back-court is just insane - Magic, Jordan, etc.

Current team just have no chance in the series. Bosh with Chandler vs insane frontcourt? :oldlol: LeBron is no match for MJ, CP3 is no match for Magic, etc.

Not fair match-up, current ***** cats would be outscored, outrebounded, out-defended, out-willed, out-clutched...

Honestly if you're old enough to remember the dream team very clearly as in you weren't a teen or a kid you were an adult, you shouldn't be on internet forums acting dumb. But you're not like some 40 year old, probably in your 20s or something, you don't remember shit lol.

AS for the OP; I think it would be a pretty good series, picking either team is just conjecture I really have no idea who would win.

[L.Kizzle]

When Christian Leattner isn't the worst player from both teams, that should tell who's gonna win.

[Penny37]

Dream Team had better shooters and post up players.
2012 team has much more athleticism and is younger.

Dream Team in 5

[swi7ch]

Original Dream Team by at least 20 each time. Their centers would average at least 50 each.

[swag2011]

Skip Bayless talked about this this morning. He said that it would come down to Kobe vs Michael which I agree with. And at that point, MJ was only 29 or so, and Kobe is going on 34 next month. So i would def go with Dream Team. But if this was the Redeem team, then it would get more interesting. I would then pick Dream Team in 6 or 7 but it would be close.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

Dream Team bigs would eat the 2012 teams bigs for lunch. Prime Jordan is better than a 34 year old Kobe. Nobody can check Magic Johnson at the point. Pippen on defense. Barkley? Come on son.

If Paul and Howard were healthy then we could have a debate but the team as it is currently configured isn't beating the greatest team of all time.

[Rasheed1]

Dream Team would destroy the 2012 team...

[TheBigVeto]

If your 12th man is Larry Bird, you will win.

[StarJordan]

this team surrenders to the DT before it even starts!

[eliteballer]

Dream Team would probably win but it wouldnt be as lopsided as people are making it seem. The current teams guards and SF's would make it competative.

[StarJordan]

even 92 pippen will outrun and outslam 2012 kobe who's nearing the end.
malone will prove problem for lebron....
how's little chris paul gonna guard magic johnson at 6'9

and jordan, drexler, bird, barkley, mullin and robinson are still on the sidelines getting ready to check in...

[ljsbb27]

Laettner, Christian
Robinson, David
Ewing, Patrick
Bird, Larry
Pippen, Scottie
Jordan, Michael
Drexler, Clyde
Malone, Karl
Stockton, John
Mullin, Chris
Barkley, Charles
Johnson, Magic

Carmelo Anthony
Kobe Bryant
Tyson Chandler
Kevin Durant
Blake Griffin
James Harden
Andre Iguodala
LeBron James
Kevin Love
Chris Paul
Russell Westbrook
Deron Williams

Looking at the rosters and really analyzing the individuals and match ups I'd say Dream Team in 6.

[raiderfan19]

Everyone says the current team would have a huge edge in athletecism but would they really, other than at pg which could easily be covered by having Jordan or pippen run the point. Jordan is the best athlete to ever play the 2. Pippen was just ridiculously athletic at the 3, you wanna take lebron as a pure athlete over him because of his strength that's fine, but pippen was a freak too. Malone and Barkley were both athletic as hell for pfs and with the possible exception of wilt, drob is the most athletic center ever.

A lineup that can run out Stockton(much better defender when he was youngee) Jordan pippen Malone drob with barkley Ewing an aging bird and magic off the bench isnt getting run off the court athletically by anyone in any era.

Now the size differential for the dream team is real though. I love chandler but the dream team would just eat the current bigs alive.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

I'm not puting Stockton in the starting lineup. Magic Johnson was only 32 years old in 1992. He was second in MVP voting to Jordan the year before.

Dream Team rapes 2012 USA

[andgar923]

The Dream Team would have about 60% of their points in the paint alone, while the Current Team will shoot 60% from the perimeter (long range).

Take a wild guess who wins this matchup?

[ispin69]

Kobe confirmed for old and delusional saying they would beat the Dream Team.

The Dream Team DOMINATED. These last couple of TeamUSA's were WEAK, the last one barely won it all. Jordan, Pippen and Magic alone would destroy this 2012 squad. You can't name one person on this 2012 squad that could defend those 3. Even Bruce Bowen in his prime couldn't stop them AND they would play legit defense. Harden and Chandler are your best defensive guys? lol. Old Kobe can't defend sh*t. Lebron can't either compared to MJ and Pippen.

I'd even take Dream Team III in 1996 over these 2012 guys. They had The Dream and Shaq, Pippen and GP.

[lilgodfather1]

This would be a slaughter. The 2012 team isn't nearly as good as the 2008 team despite having two players that are better than all the 2008 players.

2012 has a slight, and I mean slight edge at PG with Paul over Stockton, and dominates at SF with LeBron being the best to ever play, but the other three positions are dominated by the DT.

2012 has the best player, but DT has an actual team.

[Legends66NBA7]

Let's be real:

2012 USA team vs 1996 USA Team. Who would win that ?

:confusedshrug:

[iamgine]

Dream team wins. I think the 2002 hypothetical team will beat the dream team though.

Payton
Kobe
Garnett
Duncan
Shaq

[StarJordan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX9lQQMvzPw&feature=youtu.be&t=2m41s

[Riley Martin]

What about the dream team vs. the 2012 team in their primes and with a full roster? (no injuries)

I.E. 1992 Stockton, Magic, Jordan, Bird, Barkley, Ewing vs. prime CP3, Rose, Kobe, Wade, LeBron, Durant, Bosh, Dwight, Bynum, etc?

[livinglegend]

Looking at this thread, I have to say USA 2012 would win.
ISH members sucks at prediction. Last time I remember, they mostly picked thunder to win the finals. They picked Boston after game 5. They picked Spurs after game 2.

[andgar923]

What about the dream team vs. the 2012 team in their primes and with a full roster? (no injuries)

I.E. 1992 Stockton, Magic, Jordan, Bird, Barkley, Ewing vs. prime CP3, Rose, Kobe, Wade, LeBron, Durant, Bosh, Dwight, Bynum, etc?

You mean having both in their primes with no injuries?

Hmm...

2 pgs that can claim GOAT pg status.
THE GOAT
2 PF that have a legit claim as the GOAT PF
A SF that has a legit contention not just for GOAT SF but GOAT player!
2 centers that are regarded as top 10 centers all time
One of the best all time 3pt shooters
One of the most versatile players of all time, legit contention for GOAT defender
One of the top 5 SG of all time

Uh.... take a wild guess who the best squad in their primes without injuries is?

[I LUV KOBE]

Team with Kobe in 7

[Penny37]

As Chuck said, only three guys from this team have a shot of making the original Dream Team. Lebron, Kobe, and KD.

[RaininTwos]

Dream Team in 4????

http://i.imgur.com/UB1eV.gif

fvck outta here with that BS. They aren't sweeping any US Olympic team, not even the 2004 squad.

I don't know what is wrong with people here.

[DTreats]

Who on the dream team is gonna stop Westbrook?

He'd rape that team with no lube, 40/15 every.single.game

[Riley Martin]

Primes vs. primes?

1992 Dream Team

Magic Johnson (1987), John Stockton (1990)
Michael Jordan (1989), Clyde Drexler (1989)
Larry Bird (1985), Scottie Pippen (1994), Chris Mullin (1989)
Charles Barkley (1987), Karl Malone (1990), Christian Laettner (1993)
Patrick Ewing (1990), David Robinson (1994)

2012 Olympic Team

Chris Paul (2008), Derrick Rose (2011), Russell Westbrook (2011)
Kobe Bryant (2006), Dwyane Wade (2009)
LeBron James (2012), Kevin Durant (2012), Carmelo Anthony (2007)
Chris Bosh (2010), Kevin Love (2011), LaMarcus Aldridge (2012)
Dwight Howard (2011), Andrew Bynum (2012)

loooooooooool

[Riley Martin]

You mean having both in their primes with no injuries?

Hmm...

2 pgs that can claim GOAT pg status.
THE GOAT
2 PF that have a legit claim as the GOAT PF
A SF that has a legit contention not just for GOAT SF but GOAT player!
2 centers that are regarded as top 10 centers all time
One of the best all time 3pt shooters
One of the most versatile players of all time, legit contention for GOAT defender
One of the top 5 SG of all time

Uh.... take a wild guess who the best squad in their primes without injuries is?

No, I meant 1992 dream team (as is) versus a 2012 team in their primes.. Not a dream team in their primes.

[andgar923]

No, I meant 1992 dream team (as is) versus a 2012 team in their primes.. Not a dream team in their primes.

What the shit??

[Riley Martin]

What the shit??

1992 Dream Team (not in their primes)

vs.

2012 Team in their primes

:confusedshrug:

[DTreats]

1992 Dream Team (not in their primes)

vs.

2012 Team in their primes

:confusedshrug:
So, current 1992 Dream Team? Aren't half of those players dead?

I think '12 wins it with ease...

[Riley Martin]

So, current 1992 Dream Team? Aren't half of those players dead?

I think '12 wins it with ease...

Current as in 2012? No... the Dream Team in 1992.

[DFish]

1992 Dream Team (not in their primes)

vs.

2012 Team in their primes

:confusedshrug:

Prime Dream Team would demolish Prime 2012 Team. But the regular '92 Dream Team against Prime 2012 Team? Could definitely be a close one.

I would take the 2012 team to win that series. Prime Kobe, prime CP3, prime LeBron would do some damage against '92 Bird and Magic.

[Linspired]

Dream Team in 4????

http://i.imgur.com/UB1eV.gif

fvck outta here with that BS. They aren't sweeping any US Olympic team, not even the 2004 squad.

I don't know what is wrong with people here.

why not? this 2012 team is seriously flawed. they have no depth in bigs. how da hell are they going to stop drob, ewing, barkley, & malone every damn night?

just look at this team. they are small as hell.
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/7/8/1341718006940/US-mens-basketball-team-008.jpg

bird is friggin 12th man. lol
http://www.interbasket.net/players/usa/1992_dream_team.jpg


chandler will be fouled out by 3rd qtr if he has to guard drob & ewing. and love & blake will look like innocent college players at best when they go up against malone & barkley. pippen & jordan will shut down whoever is handling the ball. bron is the only advantage for 2012 team, but penetrating to 92 team will be virtually impossible because of the size disparity. kobe with his 'i'm still the lead dog' mentality will also ruin the chemistry. all i see is kobe trying to prove himself against MJ and just miserably fail.

[RaininTwos]

Let me get this straight...you think it's perfectly plausible to think that a team with Kobe,Lebron,KD,Westbrook,etc...is going to get swept?

As in they wont win ONE game? Wow....

Nostalgia is just overflowing in this thread.

I would really like to see Barkley,Stockton,Magic,Mullin,etc...try to guard players on this team effectively. Jordan and Pippen can't keep everyone hemmed down on the perimeter.

[Legends66NBA7]

Let me get this straight...you think it's perfectly plausible to think that a team with Kobe,Lebron,KD,Westbrook,etc...is going to get swept?

As in they wont win ONE game? Wow....

Nostalgia is just overflowing in this thread.

I would really like to see Barkley,Stockton,Magic,Mullin,etc...try to guard players on this team effectively. Jordan and Pippen can't keep everyone hemmed down on the perimeter.

Who you got winning ? How many games ?

[RaininTwos]

Who you got winning ? How many games ?
Dream team in 6. The 2012 Team could have really used Howard and Bosh.

[Legends66NBA7]

Dream team in 6. The 2012 Team could have really used Howard and Bosh.

Could have used a healthy Wade too.

Honestly, the Redeem Team is a much better matchup to me vs the Dream Team as well. I think people forget how good they were.

[Linspired]

Let me get this straight...you think it's perfectly plausible to think that a team with Kobe,Lebron,KD,Westbrook,etc...is going to get swept?

As in they wont win ONE game? Wow....

Nostalgia is just overflowing in this thread.

I would really like to see Barkley,Stockton,Magic,Mullin,etc...try to guard players on this team effectively. Jordan and Pippen can't keep everyone hemmed down on the perimeter.


they are going up against bigger, better, & more experienced team with much better team work. on paper this is a complete mismatch.

we are talking about 92 dream f23434ckin team here. I DON'T SEE THEM LOSING.

[RaininTwos]

Could have used a healthy Wade too.

Honestly, the Redeem Team is a much better matchup to me vs the Dream Team as well. I think people forget how good they were.

Yeah the 2008 squad would have went 7 with Dream team.

Apparently people just list names here and think that's enough to determine who's going to be victorious instead of taking into account Magic and Bird couldn't defend much anymore. I really don't see Stock holding Westbrook down either. Lebron is better than Pippen, and Kobe and MJ would really be a treat to see.

[imdaman99]

Dream team in 6 as rainin said. I dont see the original dream team having an easy time. Sure they are bigger, but since there is no Shaq on the team they wont utterly humiliate the smaller 2012 team and get everyone into foul trouble. International ball, can't they also play zone? Zone hides size disparage a little bit. Bird, Stock, and Mullin don't leave them break the zone and they should stay close.

Absolutely not a sweep.

[RaininTwos]

they are going up against bigger, better, & more experienced team with much better team work. on paper this is a complete mismatch.

we are talking about 92 dream f23434ckin team here. I DON'T SEE THEM LOSING.

They lost to college kids the first game they played. They aren't invincible. It isn't like the 2012 team is 1992 angola or anything. Truth is, if those Balkan conflicts didn't happen and Drazen and his buddies were playing as one nation....who knows how that would turn out.

[Linspired]

They lost to college kids the first game they played. They aren't invincible. It isn't like the 2012 team is 1992 angola or anything. Truth is, if those Balkan conflicts didn't happen and Drazen and his buddies were playing as one nation....who knows how that would turn out.


because they were sleepwalking, unmotivated, and etc. in 7 game playoff series, you bet they will bring it. 92 MJ will absolutely embarrass 12 kobe for sure. and dream team will take their games to a whole new level when they know the team they are playing is for real.

[Legends66NBA7]

They lost to college kids the first game they played.

Two things, I believe they mentioned it in the documentary:

1) Jordan and some other prime star players didn't play a lot... and didn't give much effort on purpose.

2) I think Chuck Daly mentioned this as well... it was to make them more focused on dominating the tournament.

[RaininTwos]

because they were sleepwalking, unmotivated, and etc. in 7 game playoff series, you bet they will bring it. 92 MJ will absolutely embarrass 12 kobe for sure. and dream team will take their games to a whole new level when they know the team they are playing is for real.
So your argument is that only one team will raise the level of their play, but the 2012 team wont?

Why is the 2012 team incapable of becoming more focused? This is interesting.

[RaininTwos]

Two things, I believe they mentioned it in the documentary:

1) Jordan and some other prime star players didn't play a lot... and didn't give much effort on purpose.

2) I think Chuck Daly mentioned this as well... it was to make them more focused on dominating the tournament.

I wasn't serious. Just wanted to see how much dude knew.

[Legends66NBA7]

I wasn't serious. Just wanted to see how much dude knew.

:oldlol: Okay.

[Linspired]

Dream team in 6 as rainin said. I dont see the original dream team having an easy time. Sure they are bigger, but since there is no Shaq on the team they wont utterly humiliate the smaller 2012 team and get everyone into foul trouble. International ball, can't they also play zone? Zone hides size disparage a little bit. Bird, Stock, and Mullin don't leave them break the zone and they should stay close.

Absolutely not a sweep.


26 year old drob and 28 year old ewing would demolish chandler, love, blake or whoever is playing 5. are you kidding me?

bird barely plays this game. bird would come in and shoot few 3's that's about it.



1992 team

3pt specialists - check
perimeter defense - check
speed on wing - check
size - check
teamwork - check
experience - check


2012

3pt specialists - none
perimeter defense - check
speed on wing - check
size - none
teamwork - maybe?
experience - sorta check



on paper, this is a complete mismatch. for 1992 team, if they are ever in trouble, you know who's gonna take over, MJ the newly crowned king. game over. check mate. we are talking about 1992 MJ here. he will completely take over the 4th qtr.

for 2012 to work, they would have to let bron be the man. but i'm not sure kobe would agree with that. i see the old lion not giving up his 'alpha dog' title to a newly crowned young lion. when kobe sees the score, down by 15pt in 4th qtr, i see him turning into 'this is my team' kobe. that could be a trouble some because this ain't 2006 kobe.

[Glide2keva]

People neeed to watch the Bulls 1992 Championship video to see exactly how good 1992 Jordan was. He was at his absolute peak. No one on 2012 could hang with him, no one.

[julizaver]

For people who happen to watch basketball 20-25 years ago or more it is not even a question. Dream team from 1992 is the greatest team ever assembled. 4:0

That Dream team could be challenged only by a team of other All-time greats starting with W. Chamberlain, K.A. Jabbar ...

[Optimus Prime]

It would be closer than most people think. Bird could barely walk let alone play. Magic was on his way out. Etc...

Kobe's suggestion is not that far out in left field. I still got the original but it would be close.

:kobe:

[raiderfan19]

Who on the dream team is gonna stop Westbrook?

He'd rape that team with no lube, 40/15 every.single.game
Put Jordan or pippen on him

[Optimus Prime]

If this current team had a healthy Dwight Rose and Wade I might be more inclined to pick them. But they don't so ...

:kobe:

[scandisk_]

Magic
Clyde
Pip/Chuck
Karl
David

You don't even need MJ :lol

DT in 5

[JohnnySic]

The '12 team has great athletes on the perimiter, but Malone, Ewing, Robinson, and Barkley would murder them in the paint. It would be ugly...

[Optimus Prime]

Magic
Clyde
Pip/Chuck
Karl
David

You don't even need MJ :lol

DT in 5

Deron/Paul/Westbrook
Kobe
Durant
LeBron
Chandler/Love/Griffin

That's not so bad either. C is iffy but Chandler can play D Love can stretch the floor and Griffin is a freak athlete. See two can play at that game.

:kobe:

[Glide2keva]

Prime Jordan, Barkley, Stockton, Malone, Robinson, Mullin, Drexler, Ewing & 5th year Pippen who had just emerged as a star player that year. Plus Magic could still play and was probably the smartest person on the court?

I'm sorry but once you get past lebron, Kobe (old), & Durant, no one on that team would be able to get close to the Dream Team.

The front-court matchups alone kills the 2012 team. Barkley, Malone, Ewing & Robinson? Chandler and Griffin would have nightmares trying to handle them. Plus Jordan and Drexler backing him up? Kobe and whomever else they trot out there wouldn't stand a chance because both guys are faster and better players overall than Kobe. Yeah I said it, what?

Plus you got the top 3 steals leaders of ALL TIME in the same back court in Stockton, Magic & Jordan. This teams defense would be astounding. Stockton to Malone on the pick and roll would always be a go to in the back pocket if they need offense, plus the ultimate closer in Jordan would be more than enough.

Dream Team by 14.

Also, Griffin & Love at the 4? Talk about no defense. Malone & Barkley would be chomping at the bit to abuse those guys.

[lilgodfather1]

This would not be a sweep, and you are retarded if you think it would. Someone on the 2012 team is getting hot at least one game in a 7 game series. If 2012 was healthy then the series would be 7 games. It's not so it would be 5, maybe 6.

[Indian guy]

The 2012 team just doesn't have the size. Dream Team was loaded at the 5 and 4. That's why they would take it in 6 max.

[Joey Zaza]

does it make a difference if we play NBA rules or international rules? Int'l play is drive-kick-shoot. As a result, by Int'l rules, interior bigs have a hard time dominating offensively. D.Rob/Ewing/Malone could step out but not like Love can.

If we take the fact that bigs in int'l rules have to shoot 3's, is there an edge to the current team?

Also, youth and athleticism - which are claimed to be edges for the 2012 team are not really good qualities for Int'l play.

Does it even matter?

[joshwake]

I hate when nostalgia makes people think that players back in the day were better than they were, but people need to realize this is not the case here. Dream Team has top 5 players of all time at their position in almost every category. But the main kicker is that dream team has some serious defenders, they would make this current 2012 team look just silly.

[bmd]

Have you guys gone back recently and watched the Dream Team play? The game was much slower back then.

I really question if the 1992 team could handle the pace of the game now... the game moves so much faster now and the players are more athletic.

Go back and watch the 1992 gold medal game against Croatia... the Dream Team in that game wasn't that impressive by today's standards.

I mean, think about it... if the 2012 team played against that Croatia team, do you think they'd win by less than 30?

[andgar923]

Have you guys gone back recently and watched the Dream Team play? The game was much slower back then.

I really question if the 1992 team could handle the pace of the game now... the game moves so much faster now and the players are more athletic.

Go back and watch the 1992 gold medal game against Croatia... the Dream Team in that game wasn't that impressive by today's standards.

I mean, think about it... if the 2012 team played against that Croatia team, do you think they'd win by less than 30?
:roll: :roll: :roll:

[bmd]

:roll: :roll: :roll:I'll take that as you don't know what you're talking about.

[kentatm]

Dream Team sweep and they win every game by double digits.

Anyone picking this 2012 team to win is a young fool who doesn't know squat.

The Dream Team bigs would eat 2012 alive.




I really question if the 1992 team could handle the pace of the game now... the game moves so much faster now and the players are more athletic.


:facepalm

[bmd]

Dream Team sweep and they win every game by double digits.

Anyone picking this 2012 team to win is a young fool who doesn't know squat.

The Dream Team bigs would eat 2012 alive.




:facepalmWhat if the 2012 team played zone? How would the bigs do then?

And the game does move much faster in transition. The game is also faster because of versatile players who are very tall, but can also spread the floor and shoot from the outside like a guard (James, Durant, Love, etc).

Sure, the Dream Team would have bigger low post guys... but would they have an answer for the more versatile and athletic big guys who have more range and speed than anything the Dream Team would be used to?

[andgar923]

What if the 2012 team played zone? How would the bigs do then?

And the game does move much faster in transition. The game is also faster because of versatile players who are very tall, but can also spread the floor and shoot from the outside like a guard (James, Durant, Love, etc).

Sure, the Dream Team would have bigger low post guys... but would they have an answer for the more versatile and athletic big guys who have more range and speed than anything the Dream Team would be used to?
do some of you NOT get it?

The Dream Team is simply better and more importantly SMARTER. That is the single most important advantage that they have. As far as the 'zone' that you're referring too, the Dream Team would dismantle any type of defense you can throw at them, including the 'zone'. Their style of play is what's needed to beat the zone, and that is attack, move and pass NOT play iso like this team does.

Seriously, do some of you think that zone will stop Magic, John, Pip, Chris, or anybody in the perimeter from passing the ball to their bigs? And do some of you seriously think that they won't find the open man with their ball movement?

The zone was used against them by every team, teams that know how to play the zone far better than this current team does, that are smarter than this team is, have far more experience than this team has (playing the zone), yet they dismantled it!!! True, they may not have had the athletes that this USA team has, but there's only about 2-3 defenders that can cause any opposition and even they can't move faster than the ball. And unlike what you see in today's bigs, The Dream TEam's bigs know how to play like BIG men.

So you can go ahead and put Bron on Magic, he'll just pass it to somebody else that will pass it to somebody else that will lead to an easy shot. This isn't iso NBA ball in which Bron can just wait to intercept the ball. They're smart enough to keep it away from him and they're also crafty enough to fake him.

Dream Team beats this current team.

[bmd]

do some of you NOT get it?

The Dream Team is simply better and more importantly SMARTER. That is the single most important advantage that they have. As far as the 'zone' that you're referring too, the Dream Team would dismantle any type of defense you can throw at them, including the 'zone'. Their style of play is what's needed to beat the zone, and that is attack, move and pass NOT play iso like this team does.

Seriously, do some of you think that zone will stop Magic, John, Pip, Chris, or anybody in the perimeter from passing the ball to their bigs? And do some of you seriously think that they won't find the open man with their ball movement?

The zone was used against them by every team, teams that know how to play the zone far better than this current team does, that are smarter than this team is, have far more experience than this team has (playing the zone), yet they dismantled it!!! True, they may not have had the athletes that this USA team has, but there's only about 2-3 defenders that can cause any opposition and even they can't move faster than the ball. And unlike what you see in today's bigs, The Dream TEam's bigs know how to play like BIG men.

So you can go ahead and put Bron on Magic, he'll just pass it to somebody else that will pass it to somebody else that will lead to an easy shot. This isn't iso NBA ball in which Bron can just wait to intercept the ball. They're smart enough to keep it away from him and they're also crafty enough to fake him.

Dream Team beats this current team.The Dream Team's big men will be less of a factor against a zone defense.

And you are comparing the zone defense of scrub national teams from 20 years ago in the early 1990's to what Team USA can do in 2012?

It's not going to be easy to slash up a zone against an athletic team like the 2012 USA team.

Teams like Croatia were keeping the game fairly close in the first half against the Dream Team. The reason teams like Croatia lost to the Dream Team is because they can't sustain that for the full game. The Dream Team was so deep.

But they won't have that advantage against the 2012 team. The 2012 team is deep, as all USA teams have been.

[AlonzoGOAT]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m71vm5mKm51qck5j5o1_1280.jpg

[andgar923]

The Dream Team's big men will be less of a factor against a zone defense.

And you are comparing the zone defense of scrub national teams from 20 years ago in the early 1990's to what Team USA can do in 2012?

It's not going to be easy to slash up a zone against an athletic team like the 2012 USA team.

Teams like Croatia were keeping the game fairly close in the first half against the Dream Team. The reason teams like Croatia lost to the Dream Team is because they can't sustain that for the full game. The Dream Team was so deep.

But they won't have that advantage against the 2012 team. The 2012 team is deep, as all USA teams have been.

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH

The Dream TEam knows how to pass and play, they will beat any defense this team throws at them and their bigs will FEAST. Just because today's bigs are rendered useless doesn't mean they will. It's called ball movement and pick and roll. Do you seriously think you're gonna make the Dream TEam into a jump shooting stagnant isolation team?

[bmd]

HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH

The Dream TEam knows how to pass and play, they will beat any defense this team throws at them and their bigs will FEAST. Just because today's bigs are rendered useless doesn't mean they will. It's called ball movement and pick and roll. Do you seriously think you're gonna make the Dream TEam into a jump shooting stagnant isolation team?How are you going to pick and roll against a zone defense?

Do you know what the purpose of a zone defense is?

It forces outside shooting. So their bigs will not be feasting like they would against man defense.

Ball movement... yes. But moving the ball is a lot harder against an athletic and deep team like the 2012 USA team compared to a 1992 Croatia team.


Plus, what makes you think the Dream Team knows how to play up to their potential against a zone? Zone defense wasn't allowed in the NBA back then, so I'm sure they weren't as good at it as they could have been.

I think they would have a hard time playing against a zone against an athletic team like today's USA team.

[andgar923]

How are you going to pick and roll against a zone defense?

Do you know what the purpose of a zone defense is?

It forces outside shooting. So their bigs will not be feasting like they would against man defense.

Ball movement... yes. But moving the ball is a lot harder against an athletic and deep team like the 2012 USA team compared to a 1992 Croatia team.


Plus, what makes you think the Dream Team knows how to play up to their potential against a zone? Zone defense wasn't allowed in the NBA back then, so I'm sure they weren't as good at it as they could have been.

I think they would have a hard time playing against a zone against an athletic team like today's USA team.

Is the amount of posts also your age?

What do you mean "how are you going to pick and roll against a zone?" is that a serious question?

I'm not even sure if you're being serious or trolling.

And what do you mean "what makes you think the Dream TEam knows how to play up to their potential against the zone?" Maybe because they've seen it in the NBA or variations of it before? more importantly the big men camping out in the lane?

or...

in college and high school?

These are players that went to college for at least 3 years and saw TRUE zone unlike today's NBA, and were the focus of the defense during that time, constantly drawing double and triple teams, so they know about the zone, they know how to play it and against it.

Again... this isn't going to be a player standing there on the perimeter dribbling, dribbling and then shot jacking a 3pt shot or attempting to drive with 5 seconds to go and then dishing it to the corner. These mu****as know how to play, unlike today's players.

Of course this team isn't the Croatian team, the Croatian team actually knew how to play basketball and didn't rely on their athleticism.

And smh, at ya'll acting as tho the Dream Team was composed of unathletic unskilled players from the 60s or something. Mj, Pip, Charles, Drexler, David and to some degrees Malone would be the best athletes TODAY if not in the top 5 in their position... easily.

[guy]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m71vm5mKm51qck5j5o1_1280.jpg

I was going to say Dream Team, but after seeing this toughguy picture its clearly the 2012 team.

[andgar923]

One more thing....

How did other teams manage to stay close and beat the US teams when they ran the zone?

You guessed it.... pick and roll.

[necya]

Have you guys gone back recently and watched the Dream Team play? The game was much slower back then.

I really question if the 1992 team could handle the pace of the game now... the game moves so much faster now and the players are more athletic.

Go back and watch the 1992 gold medal game against Croatia... the Dream Team in that game wasn't that impressive by today's standards.

I mean, think about it... if the 2012 team played against that Croatia team, do you think they'd win by less than 30?

wide screen > 4:3

no seriously, i only see the team from 96 doing something interesting against the 92 one. all the other are...team usa

[TheBigVeto]

Dream Team wins.
At his prime, Laettner is better than everybody in current USA team with the exception of Durant and Lebron.

[WadeBronDonJuan]

We will never, ever know so that means that all the nostalgic dummies will talk up a big game about how bad the Dream Team would win.

The fact is, the game of basketball has changed a lot and I don't think it would go down the way all of you are thinking it would.

If the 2012 team had Dwight and D. Wade/Rose, it'd be a great series.

We will never know though, so talk all the trash you want.

Just funny to envision Larry Legend trying to blow by Lebron James, just to get swatted into the stands when he tries for a layup.

The game has changed big time.

[chazzy]

92>08>12

[TheeBeast]

08 didn't have this Durant, brook, or Lebron tho

[andgar923]

We will never, ever know so that means that all the nostalgic dummies will talk up a big game about how bad the Dream Team would win.

The fact is, the game of basketball has changed a lot and I don't think it would go down the way all of you are thinking it would.

If the 2012 team had Dwight and D. Wade/Rose, it'd be a great series.

We will never know though, so talk all the trash you want.

Just funny to envision Larry Legend trying to blow by Lebron James, just to get swatted into the stands when he tries for a layup.

The game has changed big time.

Idiot

[KG215]

What if the 2012 team played zone? How would the bigs do then?

And the game does move much faster in transition. The game is also faster because of versatile players who are very tall, but can also spread the floor and shoot from the outside like a guard (James, Durant, Love, etc).

Sure, the Dream Team would have bigger low post guys... but would they have an answer for the more versatile and athletic big guys who have more range and speed than anything the Dream Team would be used to?

You do realize the 1992 Dream Team played a very versatile and athletic lineup a lot due to injuries to Stockton and Magic, right?

Pippen
Jordan
Drexler
Barkley/Malone
Robinson/Ewing

That was a common lineup for the 1992 team. So, how in the hell would that team not be able to "keep up" with the speed and athleticism of the 2012 team? You've got 6'7" Pippen in his athletic prime, 6'6" Jordan in his athletic prime, 6'7" Drexler in his prime, Barkley and 6'9" Malone in their athletic primes, and two 7-footers in their athletic primes. You don't think those guys could get out and run a bit?

And even if they had a healthy Bird and Magic taking all the minutes at PG and SF it wouldn't matter. They may not have been in their primes or elite athletes, but their elite passing skills would make up for it in transition. I'm guessing you haven't seen any footage of the 80s Showtime Lakers or Bird's Celtics teams, because all those teams did was run, run, run; and they're arguably the two greatest transition and greatest passing teams of all-time.

[andgar923]

You do realize the 1992 Dream Team played a very versatile and athletic lineup a lot due to injuries to Stockton and Magic, right?

Pippen
Jordan
Drexler
Barkley/Malone
Robinson/Ewing

That was a common lineup for the 1992 team. So, how in the hell would that team not be able to "keep up" with the speed and athleticism of the 2012 team? You've got 6'7" Pippen in his athletic prime, 6'6" Jordan in his athletic prime, 6'7" Drexler in his prime, Barkley and 6'9" Malone in their athletic primes, and two 7-footers in their athletic primes. You don't think those guys couldn't get out and run a bit?

And even if they had a healthy Bird and Magic taking all the minutes at PG and SF it wouldn't matter. They may not have been in their primes or elite athletes, but their elite passing skills would make up for it in transition. I'm guessing you haven't seen any footage of the 80s Showtime Lakers or Bird's Celtics teams, because all those teams did was run, run, run; and they're arguably the two greatest transition and greatest passing teams of all-time.

But... but.... they won't be able to deal with ZONE!!!

[LikeABosh]

It would be debatable if Wade and Howard were healthy

[KG215]

But... but.... they won't be able to deal with ZONE!!!

Right? I mean no way they could just put Mullin and Bird in the game, and go with this lineup...

Pippen
Jordan
Mullin
Bird
Robinson/Ewing

Or replace Pippen with Stockton, or take Pippen out of that lineup, put Jordan at the point, and go with a Barkley/Malone smallball frontcourt for a 4-out/1-in zone offense with Malone working from block to FT elbow.

Another ridiculous "assumption" is that the 2012 team is more versatile than the 1992 team (which they may be to an extent) but the 1992 squad was very versatile, too. They could counter the 2012 team's smallball lineup of Paul-Westbrook/Deron-Kobe-Durant-Lebron with Stockton-Jordan-Drexler-Pippen-Barkley/Malone; or Magic-Jordan-Mullin-Pippen/Barkley-Malone/Barkley. That lineup may not be as good defensively but you could do a lot of different things with the 1992 roster.

[andgar923]

Right? I mean no way they could just put Mullin and Bird in the game, and go with this lineup...

Pippen
Jordan
Mullin
Bird
Robinson/Ewing

Or replace Pippen with Stockton, or take Pippen out of that lineup, put Jordan at the point, and go with a Barkley/Malone smallball frontcourt for a 4-out/1-in zone offense with Malone working from block to FT elbow.

Another ridiculous "assumption" is that the 2012 team is more versatile than the 1992 team (which they may be to an extent) but the 1992 squad was very versatile, too. They could counter the 2012 team's smallball lineup of Paul-Westbrook/Deron-Kobe-Durant-Lebron with Stockton-Jordan-Drexler-Pippen-Barkley/Malone; or Magic-Jordan-Mullin-Pippen/Barkley-Malone/Barkley. That lineup may not be as good defensively but you could do a lot of different things with the 1992 roster.

I laugh when somebody brings that up, because sure... they have versatile players.

But almost all of them at the SAME POSITION!!! and almost all of them are identical in their style of play (perimeter oriented iso players). That aint versatility, at least not from a 'team' perspective.

Yet like you mentioned, the Dream Team had these same type of skilled multi faceted/versatile players but... in every position and height range.

Shit... Christian Laettner would seriously be a mismatch problem for this current squad. He could shoot and pass from every area on the court almost as good as Durant (certainly better than every big they have), can pass as good as their guards and post up better than any big they have to offer. The perfect complimentary player to run plays with due to his versatility... and he's the worst player on the team, the last player to play!!!

I also love their 'zone' argument as if the zone can't be used by the Dream Team to hide their flaws on defense. Hide Magic or John in the zone, but you still have 2 bigs in the back to protect the paint, while either Pip, MJ, Clyde can play the lanes disrupting everything and anything the current team has to offer. And YES David, Malone, Ewing can play the pick and rolls, they can switch and step outside to challenge.

These dudes are seriously delusional if they believe this team has a chance vs The Dream Team.

In a 6 game series (I know what I typed) the current team has a long shot of winning 2 games, and both are very close games. While I see the Dream TEam winning 4 with most of them being 10+ margin of victories (maybe not the 40 pt blow outs, but still convincing enough).

Fools they be.

[WadeBronDonJuan]

Idiot

What an amazing rebuttal you have just given.

You just ooze of intelligence and have an articulate way with words.

[andgar923]

What an amazing rebuttal you have just given.

You just ooze of intelligence and have an articulate way with words.
idiot

[tomtucker]

It would be debatable if Wade and Howard were healthy

yeah, and with Rose and Bosh too........92

[Da KO King]

to say it wouldn't even be close is ridiculous. Anyone prescribing to that notion is basing their conclusion on nostalgia and mystique rather than actual logic.

Not saying 2012 would win, but where Dream Team has the edge in size, 2012 completely dominates them in athleticism/speed/youth/versatility.

Please.
If this was Facebook I would have clicked "Like" on this.

2012 Team would push them to 7 games. No clue what would happen in game 7.

[MavsPoke]

How about this 2012 USA Team worry about beating old ass Argentina and not getting smoked by Spain before worrying about taking on the team with 11 Hall of Famers, the GOAT in his prime, and a 38.8 point margin of victory.

:coleman:

[97 bulls]

This team barely got by Argentina. And i guarantte thiis Argentina team would been beat by that 92 Croatian team the OG Dream Team beat.

[hihofink]

What about the 2003 All-NBA First Team.

PG: Kidd
SG: Kobe
SF: Garnett
PF: Duncan
C: Shaq

All are in their prime.

I honestly think this starting 5 can beat the Dream Team with their size. Although their outside shooting would stink and I have no idea what the bench would be.

[andgar923]

What about the 2003 All-NBA First Team.

PG: Kidd
SG: Kobe
SF: Garnett
PF: Duncan
C: Shaq

All are in their prime.

I honestly think this starting 5 can beat the Dream Team with their size. Although their outside shooting would stink and I have no idea what the bench would be.

Front court would be a formidable opponent for the Dream Team, but the backcourt would beat the 03 team. Kidd won't be able to post up, he won't be able to penetrate, Kobe will play to much iso and would be having nightmares trying to guard any of their perimeter players.

[WadeBronDonJuan]

idiot

You have an avi of The Offspring...

I win.