USA Dream Team 1992 vs. 2012

[jordoo]

Yes, more or less. I think they're the two most offensively gifted players in the history of basketball.

And thus the fault in your reasoning from my perspective. Kobe is gifted but he's like "The Hangover 2" really really good sequal that still doesn't live up to the original.

 

[MikeSU02]

But how is Magic going to stay in front of CP? Magic was 33 by the 92 Olympics; he didn't play in every game, and he hadn't played in the NBA in the season prior. Or what if Magic is being asked to check Derrick Rose.

Also, who says you need to start Paul? If Magic is causing that much of an issue, then you run with Lebron/Wade/Kobe/Durant/Dwight. You do run into an issue with Barkley, but if the size is that much of an issue, try Durant on Magic and Lebron on Chuck.

And there is not much of a comparison between 92 MJ and 2012 Kobe. Kobe has been getting gifted the all defensive team accolades the last few years. You're talking an all time great player (kobe) on the downside of his career against the best player of all time at pretty much the peak of his powers.

You trust LeBron/Wade/Kobe/Durant/Dwight to be as efficient on offense as a Magic-driven 92 team?

The other thing with Paul is he isn't finishing at the rim. I think Rose would be a much harder matchup.

Also, let's not overlook the center position. As good a defender that Dwight is, he would have a very tough time staying in the game against Ewing and Robinson being thrown at him.

 

[Knicks411]

Completely agree with your first two paragraphs - well stated.

Regarding your comment about Kobe being on the downside of his career, he's currently leading the NBA in scoring at 30.4 ppg.

Yeah, I figured I would get banged up on that one. In my defense, his true shooting% is only 54%, which is lower than he normally is, but downside of his career may have been a little harsh.

But anyway, the point wasn't to say that Kobe isn't any good anymore or anything like that, but i think it is fair to say he isn't at the peak of his career. And when you are being compared to the best player of all time, who is at his best...

92 MJ vs 2012 Kobe would be a huge advantage for the Dream team, IMO. a Kobe at 33 would struggle to check the 29 year old MJ.

 

[Eric15]

Kobe is gifted, he's like "The Godfather 2" really really good

Please see above.

 

[690West]

In my opinion, there's really nothing that MJ can do that Kobe can't.

Hahahahahahahahah!

 

[Knicks411]

You trust LeBron/Wade/Kobe/Durant/Dwight to be as efficient on offense as a Magic-driven 92 team?

The other thing with Paul is he isn't finishing at the rim. I think Rose would be a much harder matchup.

Also, let's not overlook the center position. As good a defender that Dwight is, he would have a very tough time staying in the game against Ewing and Robinson being thrown at him.

It's interesting; in a vacuum Rose may be better than Paul, but if you need a PG to set up and run the offense for a team with the weapons this team would have, I may have to go with Paul. Rose is much better at getting his own offense.

I'm just not as sold on 1992 Magic being the player you seem to think he was. I was 8 in 1992, so I could definitely be wrong, but the guy sat out a year, he had HIV, and according to Wiki, he had a knee injury during the tournament (which I had no recollection of). I just feel like at that size, with his age, he'd have trouble staying in front of any of the PG he'd have to check. Though I bet he'd still run a great offense.

The C position may be the biggest mismatch, there really isn't a #2 C behind Dwight, and as you point out, 92 would have a HOF center on the court pretty much at all times.

 

[Eric15]

Hahahahahahahahah!

My bad, I misspoke. I forgot about Space Jam. MJ is a better actor.

 

[jordoo]

Please see above.

Well played, but still saying 92 MJ isn't a clear advantage over 12 Kobe is just mind boggling to me and thats no disrespect to Kobe.

 

[690West]

My bad, I misspoke. I forgot about Space Jam. MJ is a better actor.

I believe I can fly!!

 

[ImperialOrange]

Here are the 1992 teams stats for any interested.

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/basket_1992/

It's really tough to call because the game, and types of players are so drastically different. It cracks me up trying to picture 35 year old Larry Bird trying to cover Kevin Durant but I think the 92 team would just physically abuse the 2012 team.

Magic could cover Lebron (alot of folks forget Magic is 6'9)
Pippen would shut down D Wade
MJ>>>Kobe
Robinson, Ewing, Barkley, & Malone >>>>>> Howard, Bosh, & ?????
Reading>>>>>>>>>>>>Ewing

 

[Eric15]

Well played, but still saying 92 MJ isn't a clear advantage over 12 Kobe is just mind boggling to me and thats no disrespect to Kobe.

1992 MJ is in fact an advantage over 2012 Kobe, but in my opinion, just a slight one. You said earlier, "MJ alone puts them over the top IMO", which I think just really exaggerates Jordan's individual importance.

 

[Knicks411]

1992 MJ is in fact an advantage over 2012 Kobe, but in my opinion, just a slight one. You said earlier, "MJ alone puts them over the top IMO", which I think just really exaggerates Jordan's individual importance.

I dunno, I think MJ at his best is clearly better than Kobe at his best, and then you're taking Kobe at less than his best.

 

[MyMeloMyMan]

Here are the 1992 teams stats for any interested.

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/basket_1992/

It's really tough to call because the game, and types of players are so drastically different. It cracks me up trying to picture 35 year old Larry Bird trying to cover Kevin Durant but I think the 92 team would just physically abuse the 2012 team.

Magic could cover Lebron (alot of folks forget Magic is 6'9)
Pippen would shut down D Wade
MJ>>>Kobe
Robinson, Ewing, Barkley, & Malone >>>>>> Howard, Bosh, & ?????
Reading>>>>>>>>>>>>Ewing

How the hell is 1992 Magic gonna stay with Lebron? Covering Bron is the only concern. Everything else leans toward the 1992 team, imo.

 

[skurey]

Older people are going to pick the 92 team because the glory days and blah blah blah

12 wins every game

 

[jordoo]

How the hell is 1992 Magic gonna stay with Lebron? Covering Bron is the only concern. Everything else leans toward the 1992 team, imo.

He'll just tell Lebron that its just like an NBA finals game and then Lebron will be scared to shoot.

 

[jordoo]

1992 MJ is in fact an advantage over 2012 Kobe, but in my opinion, just a slight one. You said earlier, "MJ alone puts them over the top IMO", which I think just really exaggerates Jordan's individual importance.

In actuallity Jordan was not that important to the 92 team because that team dominated international competition with its front line more than anything. Against the 12 team he would be the most important player IMO.

 

[ImperialOrange]

How the hell is 1992 Magic gonna stay with Lebron? Covering Bron is the only concern. Everything else leans toward the 1992 team, imo.

Is LeBron going to back him down in the low post like he so frequently does to defenders in all his games now? Bron hates contact, he's a finesse player that just happens to be huge. Playing against stars bigger than himself, he wouldn't get all the calls he does now. He would want no part of banging inside against Barkley, Robinson, and Malone. They might actually have made him cry if he tried. Magic would've done fine against LeBron.

 

[MikeSU02]

Here are the 1992 teams stats for any interested.

http://www.angelfire.com/falcon/basket_1992/

It's really tough to call because the game, and types of players are so drastically different. It cracks me up trying to picture 35 year old Larry Bird trying to cover Kevin Durant but I think the 92 team would just physically abuse the 2012 team.

Magic could cover Lebron (alot of folks forget Magic is 6'9)
Pippen would shut down D Wade
MJ>>>Kobe
Robinson, Ewing, Barkley, & Malone >>>>>> Howard, Bosh, & ?????
Reading>>>>>>>>>>>>Ewing

I agree with your assessment outside of Magic/LeBron. Magic would and could never check LeBron.

LeBron would take him to the woodshed.

 

[Knicks411]

I agree with your assessment outside of Magic/LeBron. Magic would and could never check LeBron.

LeBron would take him to the woodshed.

I think you'd have to put Pippen on Lebron. Magic would have no chance.

 

[ImperialOrange]

LeBron would take him to the woodshed.

If so you put MJ, Pippen, or Drexler on him. :noidea:

 

[MikeSU02]

If so you put MJ, Pippen, or Drexler on him. :noidea:

Not disagreeing that 92 would win. Just saying, Magic was only mildly interested in defense.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Not disagreeing that 92 would win. Just saying, Magic was only mildly interested in defense.

I could also be giving 1992 Magic credit for what 1980 Magic capabilities like when he started at Center when Kareem was out in finals game 6. Magic was actually in better shape post HIV announcement though. Amazing what money can do.

edit~ actually no. Magic was NBA MVP in 87, 89, & 90. He wouldve still been fine in 92

 

[690West]

Older people are going to pick the 92 team because the glory days and blah blah blah

12 wins every game

And young folks tend to think that the older players are always going to be worse than the "athletic" guys from today. Blah blah blah blah.

 

[ImperialOrange]

Older people are going to pick the 92 team because the glory days and blah blah blah

12 wins every game

I'm 27. You're delusional.

 

[Knicks411]

I'm 27 and leaning towards the 92 team.