Um No. The dream team would still win. Your basing your "Defense" arguments on the fact that Lebron is an AMAZING defender, which is true, but everyone else in the league is too lazy to play it. Or has no offensive skills. Lets the lights and the glitter die down a little and you would see how superior the dream team was to this one. "Faster more atheltic athletes" be damned.
A 7 game series between the two teams might go 5 games. The current players would win easily. Most of the players on the original Dream Team were past their prime. Most of the players on the current team are in their prime. The only thing that might make this close is if the original Dream Team can play the defense that was allowed in the early 90s. Players now aren't too lazy to play defense, they just aren't allowed to play as physical by the rules. You would foul out in 2 minutes if you played defense like they did in the 80s.
True about the rule changes which were implemented to increase offensive output (sell tickets) as well as the increased liberality of ball handling privileges. What if we could magically go back and pit todays players against all the dream teamers while in their prime. Ridiculous, I know, but lets make all the players 26 years old. Who would win then?
The "world" was horrible in 1992 and, while the Dream Team was the greatest team ever assembled to that point some of the guys were on their ways out (Larry, Magic-HIV, etc). This years team is, for the most part, all in their prime and playing against a world that has become much more interested in basketball over the past 20 years. "At the start of the 1992 season, there were only 21 foreign-born players from 18 different countries on NBA rosters; at the start of the 2010-2011 season there were a record 84 foreign-born players from 38 counties. If the NBA represents the game's biggest stage, then this would suggest that international basketball has improved dramatically since 1992. This point is borne out further by the ever growing number of foreign-born players who are selected in the NBA draft each year." MJ is the greatest ever. To think LBJ, Kobe, etc. couldn't slow him down is just absurd. Stockton WOULD find some success in the pick and roll game but Bird, Mullen, etc. would struggle against the length and athleticism of today's players. The big thing is, the league wasn't as good then as it is now so it was a bigger deal when the Dream Team was assembled. Older generations analyze as fans and can't stand to root against their John Waynes and Clint Eastwoods they grew up loving and can't stand to say the glamour-filled "take my talents to south beach" crew could beat the NBA legends. Looking at it subjectively, though, I'd say this year's team wins by 10 or so.
Their short shorts would throw the current players of their game. They would think they were playing in their undies.
2012 team. The flow of the game is a lot faster now compared to back then. Lebron isn't the only one who can play defense. Chandler is one of the best defensive big men in the NBA. Durant has crazy length that would make it difficult for anyone to score. Who would defend Lebron? The dream team would definitely make sure they foul anyone who goes down the lane but players today would be able to stand the beating. Players today aren't dumb when it comes to basketball. I would pay a lot to see Kobe and Jordan go back and forth.
I don't know why you guys are even mentioning Bird as he hardly even played on that team due to health/age? So you guys think the currently Olympic team would have the beef down low to handle David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, and Barkley??? I don't think so...Dream Team would own the boards. The 2012 team would have little success at all in the post and Jordan and Pippen would guard the perimeter very well Magic was still a good player at 33. Jordan and Drexler going to the hole....Stockton distributing the ball...Mullin canning 3's Also, the only guys over 30 on the Dream team were Magic and Bird...most of the guys on the team were in their prime...all Hall of Fame players except for laettner I'll take the Dream Team
I think that is true, but the post game matters very little when you're running and controlling the tempo. Correct me if I'm wrong - but the international court is 10' longer (splitting hairs I know). That gives an edge to the 2012 squad. Bottom line is we will never know, but I'd do unspeakable things to watch that game!
I don't think the current team would control the tempo...fast breaks often come from defensive stops/rebounds...I think the Dream Team would out rebound them and shoot a higher percentage...also you guys make is sound like the Dream Team is just a collection of slow guys....Jordan, Pippen, Drexler can run with anybody...Robinson is also fast for a big man
Although I hate him with a passion, LeBron is a stud, but he is one player and the rest of the 2012 team except Kobe is soft compared to the dream team. The dream team would simply out work todays team.
Huh? Chandler is soft? Westbrook? Williams? Griffin? Love? I know they aren't the ultra tough guys like Mullin, Drexler, Magic, or the physical presence of guys like Stockton, but something tells me they would be okay. Its just the perception of an era. Everything was tougher in the "old days".
Compared to the dream team I'd say they are. I think Love could hang though, he's pretty solid. I think 1992 would be more consistant than 2012 offensively too. These are just my opinions.
Size, skill and just toughness makes the Dream Team the best....ever. Look at that roster. Everyone of them would start on todays team.
