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Kobe Bryant - Source: Reuters
1992 USA basketball team members Michael Jordan (middle) Scottie Pippen (left) and Clide Drexler (right) win gold as part of the Dream Team. - Source: ONE Sport -
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There's a reason they stopped using the Dream Team
brand.
Two decades ago, the moniker was a perfect fit - simply sit back
and imagine which NBA stars you'd put in your fantasy line-up, then
pick up the phone.
It was time.
The NBA was just emerging from a period defined by the Magic/Bird
rivalry and entering the Jordan era. From a marketing perspective,
the professional game had never been healthier.
The United States had traditionally dominated Olympic basketball,
except for that glitch at Munich 1972, when the Russians stunned
them in a finish so contrived, the Americans didn't even show up to
receive their silver medals.
But the rest of the world was catching up and, in 1988, a team of
college stars couldn't even make the final at Seoul, having to
stave off Australia for the bronze medals. When FIBA opened the
Olympics up to professionals the following year, USA Basketball got
serious and began plotting revenge.
The Dream Team would be that payback.
Coached by Detroit Pistons legend Chuck Daly, they simply dominated
all challengers at Barcelona, beating their opponents by an average
of 44 points on their way to the gold medal. In their closest
contest, they accounted for Croatia 117-85 in the final, after
trailing briefly in the first quarter.
Two years later, USA Basketball put together Dream Team 2, which
featured none of the original cast, but several who had unluckily
missed out the first time - Joe Dumars, Reggie Miller, Shaquille
O'Neal and Dominique Wilkins. They duly walked away with the FIBA
World Championship title.
But as the years went by, the "Dream Team" brand began to look more
like Michael Keaton (remember his 1989 movie of the same name?)
than Michael Jordan, until it eventually reverted back to simply
"Team USA".
Now, on the 20th anniversary of what many still consider the
greatest team of all-time in any sport, LA Lakers star Kobe Bryant
has had the temerity to suggest his 2012 outfit could beat the
legends of the past.
If you've seen the video footage of him making that claim, you
sense he's not really convinced. In fact, it seems more like a
tongue-in-cheek comment that others have picked up and run
with.
But run with it, they have, sparking vigorous debate among
hard-core fans around the globe.
There's no way of ever knowing how such a confrontation might end.
As original Dream Teamer Larry Bird quipped, "they probably could
beat us - I haven't picked up a basketball in 20 years".
But, based on career stats at the time, here's how the two rosters
might stack up against each other.
Point Guard
Magic Johnson (LA Lakers) v Chris Paul (LA Clippers)
Johnson - 12 seasons, 1060 games, 19.7 points, 51.6% FG,
28.8% 3pt, 11.5 assists, 7.4 rebounds, 1.94 steals, 0.39 blocks,
3.9 turnovers
Paul - seven season, 519 games, 18.9 points, 47.2% FG, 36.0% 3pt,
9.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.39 steals, 0.08 blocks, 2.5
turnovers
Magic was a freakish talent, but he'd already retired after his
positive HIV result, so wasn't really at the peak of his powers.
His role in the Dream Team was as much goodwill ambassador as
player, but he probably played a massive part in bringing this
disparate band of egos together as a team. Paul is generally
regarded as the best pure point guard in the game today, but just
not in the same class as a player or a leader.
Advantage Johnson (1-0)
Point Guard
John Stockton (Utah Jazz) v Deron Williams (Brooklyn Nets)
Stockton - eight seasons, 699 games, 13.3 points, 51.1% FG, 34.9%
3pt, 11.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds, 2.53 steals, 0.2 blocks, 3.0
turnovers
Williams - eight seasons, 550 games, 17.9 points, 45.6% FG, 35.6%
3pt, 9.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.08 steals, 0.25 blocks, 3.2
turnovers
Williams started his career with the Jazz, so he's used to the
Stockton comparisons and his failure to measure up probably drove
him out of town last year. He's more of a scorer and had two
50-point games last season - one in Turkey and the second against
the Charlotte Bobcats. Although Magic got most of the PG minutes
with the Dream Team, Stockton is simply the best pure point guard
in NBA history and exactly what the Dream Team needed - someone
who'd rather pass than shoot.
Advantage Stockton (2-0)
Shooting Guard
Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls) v Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City
Thunder)
Jordan - eight seasons, 681 games, 32.6 points, 51.8% FG, 29.4%
3pt, 6.1 assists, 6.3 rebounds, 2.66 steals, 0.95 blocks, 3.1
turnovers
Westbrook - four seasons, 355 games, 19.5 points, 42.9% FG,
29.1% 3pt, 6.7 assists, 4.8 rebounds, 1.55 steals, 0.33 blocks, 3.5
turnovers
OK, I know what you're thinking - this isn't a fair match-up - and
you're right. It comes about partly because the 2012 Team USA have
three point guards on their roster, although many would argue that
Westbrook has been played out of position during his short NBA
career. But I'm also using Ryder Cup rules here, which means I'm
throwing Westbrook in as the sacrificial bunny against the best
player ever and saving my ace for a match-up he can win.
Advantage Jordan (3-0)
Shooting Guard
Clyde Drexler (Portland Trail Blazers) v Kobe Bryant (LA
Lakers)
Drexler - nine seasons, 796 games, 21.0 points, 48.4% FG, 28.5%
3pt, 5.9 assists, 6.2 rebounds, 2.14 steals, 0.72 blocks, 2.9
turnovers
Bryant - 16 seasons, 1381 games, 25.4 points, 45.2% FG, 33.6% 3pt,
4.7 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.47 steals, 0.53 blocks, 3.0
turnovers
Clyde "the Glide" had the misfortune to play his career in Jordan's
shadow and actually has better stats than Kobe in most categories -
with three big exceptions. Bryant is a better scorer and in a close
game, you absolutely want him to take the last shot. He's a
slightly better outside threat on a team short of true shooters and
he's won five NBA rings - he's a proven winner. When refuting
Bryant's claim that the 2012 US team could beat the Dream Team,
Charles Barkley claimed only three of the current line-up could've
made the cut 20 years ago. Safe to say Bryant is one of those
three.
Advantage Bryant (3-1)
Small Forward
Larry Bird (Boston Celtics) v LeBron James (Miami Heat)
Bird - 12 seasons, 1064 games, 24.1 points, 49.2% FG, 36.9% 3pt,
6.4 assists, 10.1 rebounds, 1.74 steals, 0.85 blocks, 3.1
turnovers
James - nine seasons, 804 games, 27.8 points, 48.1% FG, 32.8% 3pt,
6.9 assists, 7.4 rebounds, 1.73 steals, 0.86 blocks, 3.4
turnovers
You forget how good Bird was until you check his stats and realise
that, as a small forward, he averaged double-figure rebounds over
his career. Then think about all those deft, slightly
awkward-looking highlight plays and consider his outside shooting
touch. But he never returned to the NBA after the Barcelona
Olympics and his body was disintegrating badly at the end, while
LeBron may be at the peak of his powers. The heart says Bird, but
the head says LeBron.
Advantage James (3-2)
Small Forward
Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls) v Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City
Thunder)
Pippen - five seasons, 479 games, 15.9 points, 49.3% FG, 27.3% 3pt,
5.0 assists, 6.6 rebounds, 1.95 steals, 1.01 blocks, 2.8
turnovers
Durant - five seasons, 423 games, 26.4 points, 46.8% FG,
36.2% 3pt, 2.9 assists, 6.7 rebounds, 1.21 steals, 0.98 blocks, 3.1
turnovers
I know fans who love Pippen, but he totally lost me when he refused
to go in for that last play drawn up for Toni Kukoc a few years
later. He also lived in Jordan's shadow and didn't need to be a
scorer, just a great complement. His defensive stats were top notch
and he actually led the Dream Team in assists at Barcelona. But
pound for pound, Durant is and will be a better player (and not a
sulker).
Advantage Durant (3-3)
Small Forward
Chris Mullin (Golden State Warriors) v Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia
76ers)
Mullin - seven seasons, 550 games, 18.3 points, 51.7% FG,
33.4% 3pt, 3.8 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 1.76 steals, 0.59 blocks, 2.6
turnovers
Iguodala- eight seasons, 650 games, 15.2 points, 45.8 % FG,
33.1% 3pt, 4.9 assists, 5.8 rebounds, 1.75 steals, 0.50 blocks, 2.4
turnovers
This loomed as an intriguing contest of contrasting styles, with
Mullins recognised primarily as a scorer and Iguodala as a long,
athletic defender. In truth, Mullins was hard working and versatile
within a high-octane Golden State offence, and his defensive stats
actually stack up surprisingly well against his rival's. Given his
offensive edge, Mullin - the Dream Team's best shooter - gets the
nod.
Advantage Mullin (4-3)
Power Forward/Shooting Guard
Christian Laettner (Minnesota Timberwolvesy) v James Harden
(Oklahoma City Thunder)
Laettner - no stats (NBA rookie)
Harden - three seasons, 263 games, 12.9 points, 44.4% FG, 36.8%
3pt, 2.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 1.11 steals, 0.29 blocks, 1.6
turnovers
A cruel and unusual match-up that perfectly illustrates the
different balance of these two teams - the Dream Team was more
conventional in its make-up, while the team for London is smaller,
and more reliant on versatility and athleticism. Laettner had an
outstanding college career with Duke University and is still the
only player to start in four consecutive NCAA Final Fours. He went
on to have an OK pro career without ever winning a title. Harden's
pro career has barely begun, and he's already the NBA's best sixth
man and appeared in a final series. He's also the best pure shooter
on a team without one.
Advantage Harden (4-4)
Power Forward
Karl Malone (Utah Jazz) v Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)
Malone - seven seasons, 623 games, 26.1 points, 52.1% FG, 23.3%
3pt, 2.7 assists, 10.9 rebounds, 1.39 steals, 0.72 blocks, 3.3
turnovers
Love - four seasons, 269 games, 17.3 points, 45.7% FG, 37.2% 3pt,
1.9 assists, 12.0 rebounds, 0.63 steals, 0.48 bocks, 1.9
turnovers
Confession time - Malone is my favourite player of all-time and
Love is my favourite player in the NBA today. He's the cornerstone
of my fantasy teams, rebounds like a man possessed and is the
All-Star three-point shooting champion. Love's going to be a great
one, maybe even better than "The Mailman" one day, but I just can't
do it yet.
Advantage Malone (5-4)
Power Forward
Charles Barkley (Phoenix Suns) v Carmelo Anthony (New York
Knicks)
Barkley - eight seasons, 685 games, 23.3 points, 57.1% FG, 23,8%
3pt, 3.8 assists, 11.8 rebounds, 1.65 steals, 0.99 blocks, 3.5
turnovers
Anthony - nine seasons, 700 games, 24.7 points, 45.3% FG,
32.3% 3pt, 3.1 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 1.13 steals, 0.46 blocks, 3.0
turnovers
Another mismatch, but one brought on by the US selectors, who
expect small forwards like Anthony, LeBron and Durant to body up
against specialist international "bigs". If Melo's motivated, he's
one of the better small forwards in the game, but he's also a coach
killer. Barkley has a big mouth, but he still has more class than
Anthony and was also the Dream Team's leading scorer.
Advantage Barkley (6-4)
Centre
David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs) v Tyson Chandler (New York
Knicks)
Robinson - three seasons, 256 games, 24.4 points, 54.2% FG, 10.5%
3pt, 2.4 assists, 12.4 rebounds, 1.76 steals, 4.04 blocks, 3.0
turnovers
Chandler - 11 seasons, 782 games, 8.4 points, 57.7% FG, 0.0% 3pt,
0.8 assists, 8.9 rebounds, 0.55 steals, 1.34 blocks, 2.0
turnovers
Believe me, Team USA badly needs Chandler. Truth is they need more
like him, because he's their most experienced specialist centre and
he'll have his hands full with other quality centres at London.
He's there for his defence, but he's nowhere near the same league
as "The Admiral", the only surviving member of the losing 1988 team
that spawned the Dreamers.
Advantage Robinson (7-4)
Centre
Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks) v Anthony Davis (New Orleans
Hornets)
Ewing - seven seasons, 558 games, 23.6 points, 52.6% FG, 7.3% 3pt,
2.1 assists, 9.9 rebounds, 1.16 steals, 3.03 blocks, 3.3
turnovers
Davis - no stats (NBA rookie)
Davis (19) is a late replacement for Blake Griffin in Team USA and
although there's an obvious fall-off in experience, the presence of
a specialist rebounder and shot blocker to back up Chandler is
somewhat reassuring. Whether he gets a chance to show the ability
that helped University of Kentucky to a national championship and
made him the NBA top draft pick is another matter, but I hope he
does.
Advantage Ewing (8-4)
So, man for man, the Dream Team prevails, but it's worth
acknowledging that neither team was/is as strong as they could be.
The 2012 line-up is missing injured superstars like Derek Rose,
Dwight Howard and Dwyane Wade, and lost a host of other candidates
before the team departed for London.
Twenty years ago, Laettner was selected ahead of O'Neal and while
that makes some sense in terms of balance - three specialist
centres would have been an unnecessary luxury - Shaq clearly went
on to have the more successful NBA career.
Apparently, Jordan only agreed to participate at the Barcelona
Olympics if Pistons rival Isiah Thomas was excluded, although his
addition would presumably have been at the cost of Stockton, the
NBA's future all-time assist leader.
And perhaps the Dreamers might have been better equipped for
international basketball if they had a zone-busting outside shooter
like Miller, who would go on to become the league's most prolific
long-range marksman. History will show they didn't need him.
How will the modern-day version fare against the world's
best?
No doubt, Team USA contains fine athletes and very skilful players,
but they'll be up against some very experienced teams that have
played many years together. They'll be more physical than the NBA,
which is still essentially an isolation league where athleticism
reigns, and they'll play more zone defence to minimise inside
scoring.
If the Americans can turn defence into transition points, they'll
be unstoppable, but if it comes down to a half-court grind, they
may struggle for lack of true height and bulk.
Expect the United States to take the gold medal, but Spain and
Argentina will provide them with stern challenges along the
way.