The Blue Board

Most of the players on the Dream Team wouldn't have been an All-Star in the NBA this year. The talent levels aren't close.

You're not actually using any names of anyone from the 92 team and that's because you have no idea what you're talking about. Wanna know who they brought off the bench?

-Karl Malone, arguably the greatest Power Foward of all time and definitely top 3.

-David Robinson, imagine Dwight Howard slightly less athletic but a better scorer (he didn't have to rely on getting to the line to score half his points) and better dribbler.

-John Stockton, the all-time leading assist and steals leader.

-Scottie Pippen, probably the greatest on ball defender ever. Actually very comparable to King James in many aspects just not as good of a shooter.

-Chris Mullen, think Paul Pierce but even more dead eye shooter.

-Clyde Drexler, the best shooting guard of his time outside of Michael Jordan.

Believe me, they had depth. More importantly, they had balance.

Mountie bringing the knowledge.

Explain how you guard this lineup:

Howard - 6'11" 280, athletic freak
James - 6'9" 265, athletic freak
Durant - 6'10", 7'5" wingspan, dead eye shooter
Kobe - 6'6" one of the best scorers of all time
Chris Paul/Deron Williams - True point guard

Hard to see how the anyone can guard all of these guys. Lets stop acting like the 92 was demi-gods. They were a collection of all-stars who played terrible international competition. The 2012 team is a collection of all stars that plays solid to good international competition. When they do play terrible teams, they win by 85 points.

Ok I'll play along. Say that's the five you want on the floor.

On Howard you really can't go wrong with Ewing or Robinson. Both had very similar body types and he'd have a hard time muscling either of them. It'd be an incredible battle down low. This is a completely moot point though because Dwight isn't on the 2012 team. Problem is Dwight can be suckered into foul trouble and that's likely how they'd defend him- they'd just get him off the floor. Then there's no one behind him.

James- Although it would probably be Magic to get him on the floor for athletic purposes, I'll go with Pippen. Very similar players James might have 10-15 pounds on him but that doesn't really matter. Pippen was an unbelievable perimeter defender and he'd take away the driving lanes (you'll balk at this but he really would) and let Lebron settle for jumpers like he does way too often.

Durant- a number of guys could be put on Durant. Get physical with him, get right in his kitchen and he has a very very hard time attacking one on one (see Finals when lebron and battier shut him down) Magic, Barkley, even Clyde who was a great perimeter defender. Durant really scores most of his points on this team on wide open threes off screens so just stayig with him out there is the most important thing.

Kobe- MJ in his prime would make it incredibly hard on Kobe Bryant at the age of 33. He absolutely shut guys down. I can't say he'd shut Kobe down because he hits shots with hands in his face all the time but it would be incredibly hard for him. In fact I think he would really struggle. But MJ would have to guard the point so I'll say Magic. You think Magic was so slow in 92 and he was slower but output don't get it. He was one of the best players ever. That doesn't just go away. It's the same way that MJ was still great with the Wizards and Kobe will still be great until he retires. Magic would bother Kobe with length and he was just such a smart defender.

D Will/CP3/Russ- Definitely where the dream team would struggle the most. They were susceptible only to fast penetrating guards. I think they'd have to have MJ guard this position, and I think he'd do just fine.

Now, entertain me. We're talking international ball where your only allowed 5 fouls. So when Chandler, or even Dwight, got in foul trouble, who guards Ewing/Robinson and Malone/Barkley on the floor at the same time? More importantly who keeps them off the boards? And who do you put on MJ?

No, they wouldn't. 2012 team would probably lose 8 out of 10 games played against The Dream Team.

Either you aren't very old or you're simply not very smart.

He's only 19. I think he could be an elite defender down the road.

Most of the players on the Dream Team are Hall of Famers.

Also, besides the fact that Dwight isn't even ON the team, people need to stop talking about him like he's all-world. He may be the best center in the game today, but he grossly underperforms in relation to his potential. Dwight is not a top ten Center of all time. Ewing and Robinson probably were.

This debate begins and ends in the post, where the Dream Team would obliterate this team.

+1 I agree with all of those.

I believe this would be a close game especially if the game was played with todays current style of basketball. The 2012 with their ability to travel would be able to get to the lane. Seriously when players can pro hop from the foul line which by the way is actually travelling or up and down it would be very difficult to defend. In the end I would go with the 92 team for one reason....the GOAT...Michael "Air" Jordan.

Lulz at Dwight Howard being a top ten all time center. Some serious idiocy itt. Thanks for all the lulz. Will come back later to read some more.