by Michael Spadaccino
Okay, so we watched Team USA hang on for a thrilling win the other night over Spain to bring the gold back to the US. I think it is safe to say, once again, that America has the best basketball players in the world. I think it is also safe to say that the gap between American basketball and the rest of the world will remain close for the foreseeable future. If we remember back to 1992 it wasnt always that way. If anyone is old enough to actually remember those contests between USA vs Angola or USA vs Brazil we realize just how far international basketball has come. BUT what if the 1992 version of Team USA came to Bejing for these summer games? A gold medal matchup between The Dream Team vs. The Redeem team would breakdown something like this:
Guards: Magic, Michael, Drexler & Stockon vs. Kobe, J Kidd, D Wade & C Paul. You would have to think that Kobe & Michael would offset each other on both ends of the court…that would be a hell of a battle to watch. Magic would back down any of the point guards for the redeem team, but he would also have a tough time staying in front of them. D Wade (who btw is the most underated superstar in the NBA) & C Paul come off the bench and almost mirror Dream Team benchmates C Drexler (the most underated superstar of his era) & J Stockton. If there was ever a category that was dead even it would be this one. Edge: EVEN
Forwards: C Barkley, L Bird, K Malone. & S Pippen vs L James, C Anthony & C Boozer. All do respect to 08 cast of forwards but here is where the separation of teams starts to expose itself. When you consider that you have arguably the two starting forwards for an all time all NBA team in Bird & Malone they should not be ashamed. I do realize that Bird was on the downside of his career but he is still Larry Bird. Even without Bird ,with the possible exception of C Boozer, there would be nobody would could bang with Malone. Also, Pippen would shadow L James and make it tough for him to penetrate. Barkley would have a tough time with Melo but, at is the theme, he would have trouble banging with Barkley. Edge: Dream Team
Centers: D. Robinson & P Ewing vs C Bosh & D Howard. D. Howard is widely considered one of the two most athletic & best big men in basketball (A. Stoudamire the other). You could make the case that neither him or Bosh would make the Dream Team roster. I know Howard is a young player and will most likely be a 10 year All Star before his career is finished. But both Ewing & D Robinson are top 10 all time centers who were voted in the top 50 greatest players in NBA history. As we have stated with all the positions the overall size and strength of The Dream Team would eventually wear down not only Bosh, Howard, Boozer & C Anthony but the entire roster.
Coaching: I respect Coach K for staying at Duke and not making the jump to the NBA. But I have seen too many years where he has had the best team at Duke and not won the whole thing (1999 vs Uconn). That being said I would give a huge edge to Chuck Daly in the coaching matchup. I am certainly not saying he had to do a lot of coaching back in 1992. In fact, he didnt call a timeout the whole Olympics…and they did win by 43.8 ppgs. But in on gold medal game give me Chuck Daly. Edge: Chuck Daly
Prediction: After watching these games I am convinced that the three best players in the league right now are Kobe, Lebron & D Wade. I know I am not going out on a limb on that one. Their heart and ability will make this close….for a half. The overall size,strength & bench of The Dream Team would eventually wear The Redeem down. Pippen & Jordan would lock down Kobe & Lebron in crunch time and D Robinson & Barkley would control the paint. The Dream Team 108 The Redeem Team 95.
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