USA Basketball: A dream matchup 1992 vs. 2012

On the Fly (as published in The Democrat July 31, 2012)

There’s been hot discussion in recent weeks regarding the current United States men’s basketball team’s place in basketball history, stemming from 2012 team member and future hall of fame guard Kobe Bryant’s comment that his squad would beat the 1992 USA team.

The comment may not have inspired much debate if the 1992 team, known affectionately as “The Dream Team” wasn’t considered by many to be the greatest basketball team ever assembled.

Formed for the 1992 Olympic Games, the first in which professional basketball players were deemed eligible for Olympic competition, the Dream Team ran roughshod through the competition en route to a gold medal, defeating opponents by an astounding average margin of 43.75 points.

Despite my initial inclination to laugh at Bryant’s claims, Michael Jordan reportedly did laugh, I’ve decided that Bryant may have a valid point.

So I decided to have a more in-depth look at the two teams to see how Bryant’s 2012 well team would really fare.

PG Russell Westbrook (2012) vs. PG Magic Johnson (1992) – I’m using Westbrook here because at an extremely athletic 6’3, he would present the biggest matchup threat to Johnson. Westbrook, at only 23 years old, is known as one of the game’s most athletic players and can really score the ball. Johnson, at 33 years old, is on the downside of his career and trying to prove that he still belongs with the game’s elite. While there is no doubt that Westbrook’s speed would be difficult for Johnson to defend, Johnson’s six inch height advantage and game experience would prove to be the difference maker, as Westbrook has been known to struggle maintaining composure. Advantage: 1992.

SG Kobe Bryant (2012) vs. SG Michael Jordan (1992) – The matchup NBA fans will always dream of features two of the game’s greatest players of all-time. The two have combined for 11 NBA championships. One is in the basketball hall of fame, while the other is a lock for the hall post-retirment.  Unfortunately for Bryant, Jordan is 29 years old and reaching the pinnacle of his professional career. Bryant is 33 and nearing the twilight of his career.  Advantage: 1992.

SF Kevin Durant (2012) vs. SF Larry Bird (1992) – Few doubt that Bird is one of the most effective pure shooters in NBA history. Kevin Durant is one of the most dominant scorers in today’s NBA. In 1992, Bird is 36 years old, however, and on the verge of retirement following the Olympics due to chronic back issues. Durant’s athleticism and length would prove to be too tall a task for the aging Bird to handle. Advantage: 2012.

SF Lebron James (2012) vs. PF Charles Barkley (1992) – Lebron James may play the small forward position but he’d have no trouble holding his own at the power forward spot and, at 6’9, would hold a size advantage over Barkley, who was coming into his own and led the Dream Team in scoring. Barkley, a hall of famer, was a special player during his era, but James’ athleticism and size, as well as his multi-faceted game give him the advantage here. Advantage: 2012.

C Tyson Chandler (2012) vs. C Patrick Ewing (1992) – If we’re honest with ourselves, there’s not much to discuss here. Chandler is a great player, but he’s known for his defense and not much else. At 7’1 he is the largest player on the 2012 USA team, but there’s no doubt USA team misses Dwight Howard. Ewing, on the other hand, is one of the greatest NBA big men of all time, and his well-rounded game has to be respected. Advantage: 1992.

PG Chris Paul (2012) vs. PG John Stockton (1992) - While I understand that Westbrook won’t start for 2012 USA, the opportunity to match up possibly the two greatest floor generals in NBA history was too much to pass up, if you’ll pardon the pun. I’m taking Paul over Stockton because of his scoring advantage. Advantage: 2012.

SG James Harden (2012) vs. SG Clyde Drexler (1992) - I’m also going to take Drexler over Harden because although Harden is a devastating scorer, Drexler has a big edge in experience, and, in 1992 at age 30, was coming off a better statistical season than Harden. Advantage: 1992.

SF Carmelo Anthony (2012) vs. SF Chris Mullin (1992) – Both guys can score, but Anthony gets the nod over the hall of famer Mullin because of his combination of athleticism and physicality. I expect Anthony to have a big 2012 Olympics. Advantage: 2012.

PF Anthony Davis (2012) vs. PF Karl Malone (1992) – Karl Malone is a hall of famer. Anthony Davis has played in zero NBA games. Advantage: 1992.

PF/C Kevin Love (2012) vs. C David Robinson (1992) – I love Robinson. He would hold a big size advantage at 7’1. (Love is 6’10.) But Love negates the height differential with his weight (260). Robinson weighed 235. Robinson is a deserving hall of famer, but Love is able to space the floor better than any big man on either team, and has great range on his jumper. Advantage: 2012.

SG Andre Iguodala (2012) vs. SF Scottie Pippen (1992) – This is another great matchup because these are two guys who do all of the little things. While I was initially skeptical of the addition of Iguodala to the 2012 team, my skepticism has faded watching the 2012 teams exhibitions, as Iguodala has out hustled the competition and done everything right. Pippen, however, is a five-time NBA champion, and an NBA Hall of Famer known for doing the little things. If hustle is a wash, I’m going with the hall of famer. Advantage: 1992.

PG Deron Williams (2012) vs. PF Christian Laettner (1992) – That Williams is matched up with Laettner is almost as unfair as, well, the Dream Team’s run through the 1992 Olympics. Advantage: 2012.

My head-to-head evaluations came out even at six.

The 1992 team holds a distinct size advantage over the 2012 team, but the 2012 team makes up for that size advantage with superior quickness and athleticism.

It’s debatable whether or not Jordan and company would be give up shots in order to win a game taking advantage of the 1992 team’s size.

It’s debatable how superior the 2012 team’s speed and athleticism is in comparison to the 1992 team. How much of a difference would it really make?

What’s not debatable is that the 1992 team featured 11 hall of famers (of 12 team members, for those keeping track) and I’d never expect 11 hall of famers to lose in anything.

In summary, I think most people are right in saying that the 1992 team would win, but I don’t think those who are right, are as right as they think they are.