Sure, certain superstars have what it takes to dominate and play in today's league. But look at who they played with in older videos. Half those guys wouldnt qualify for the Hornets.
Those dream team guys in their prime would wipe the floor with the dream team today and they might do even better since one can't hand check and grab jerseys.
I'm not so sure that is true (at least assuming guys like Durant are healthy). I think the older generation would have a lot more difficulty guarding the newer generation than the other way around. Kawhi, for example, would do fine guarding Jordan, but I don't know who is guarding someone like Giannis going the other way. I mean I just don't think Malone or Barkley could actually guard Giannis.
So if you take the original 12 (I'll add Thomas instead of Laettner)
PG - Magic, Stockton, Thomas
SG - Jordan, Drexler
SF - Bird, Pippen, Mullin
PF - Malone, Barkley
C - Robinson, Ewing
verse today
PG - Curry, Westbrook, Lillard
SG - Leonard, Harden
SF - James, Durant
PF - Giannis, George
C - Davis, Embiid, Gobert
I don't see a floor wiping either way. It would be an interesting match-up.
I agree that it would be an interesting matchup but I'd give the edge to the original Dream Team.
- PG: We're talking Magic here. best PG ever IMHO. This is also during the time when he added 3-pt shooting to his arsenal. none of the current team would be able to defend him due to his height and his well-versed post game. Stockton and Thomas were very good shooters and defenders so not a weak link there. Current team has great shooters in Curry and Lillard and a triple-double threat in Westbrook but I don't see them able to overcome Magic's talents.
- SG. Leonard's great but Harden is strictly offense. Jordan and Drexler are 2-way studs. Give the edge to the older Dreamers because, well, it's Jordan and Drexler.
- SF: Toughest call for me. Bird is was at the end of his career due to injuries so he's not mid-80's Bird. Pippin has the defensive skills to give Bron fits on O. Durant would be a tough cover for anyone on the old team. Mullin as good as he was wasn’t in same league as any of these guys. Give the edge to the new team.
- PF: another tough call. Malone and Barkley would just beat on Giannis and George physically and wear them down. Giannis and George should be faster than either Malone and Barkley in a fast break game but if the game slows down, I think Malone and Barkley could hold their own in half court D. This is where the era of rules would have the biggest impact as to which players would be better. Old rules (no traveling/Euro-step, palming, more consistent offensive fouling, etc…) I think it really favors Malone and Barkley since the looser rules of today really help Giannis and George have the impacts that they have today. Call this one a wash pending which rules apply.
- C: Robinson and Ewing aren’t the most gifted offensive centers we’ve had but very good defensively. Davis and Embiid would be tough to defend but I think Robinson and Ewing could hold their own defending them, even on the perimeter — especially Robinson. Due to them not being great offensive centers, I think the new group could certainly hold their own on D. I’d call this one a wash.
Overall, I’d give the advantage to the old team. if we were able to put prime Bird and Magic on the older roster, THAT would really be a game to see because then I would expect the old team to win handily.