Kobe says 2012 usa team could beat the 92 dream team????

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I'd like to see Tyson Chandler (all due respect) stop Ewing and/or Robinson.

Or Blake and Love stop Malone and Barkley.

Kobe made me laugh with this quote.

[Jon]

It's just not true.  The 2012 is better than some of the past Olympic teams, I'll give them that.  But the original Dream Team had Jordan, Bird, and Magic, who are all arguably better than anyone on the original team. 

And even the perceived nightmare matchup of LeBron wouldn't be that big of a deal with Scottie Pippen on board.  He's arguably the best defensive wing ever. 

The only thing that's a small shame is that 1992 team took Laettner instead of Shaq.  If they had taken Shaq, it wouldn't even have been close.  Robinson and Ewing (along with Barkley and Malone) would already destroy the 2012 team inside.  With Shaq it'd just be absurd. 

[Reyquila]

Sorry Kobe; You're tripping. Only in your dreams.

[mgent]

I do think the current team would have a chance by going small with LBJ as a PF. That'd be the only way to handle that mismatch.

I'd be surprised if Team USA isn't playing LeBron at PF quite a bit considering their lack of bigs.

It'd be sad if they didn't considering LeBron and Melo are PFs every where else on the planet.

Heck, even Iguodala is strong enough to guard 95% of those guys.

I'm guessing it's gonna be a Paul, Kobe, Durant, LeBron, Chandler lineup, with Williams, Westbrook, Melo, Griffin, Love off the bench.  Considering there's already 5 play-makers and 7 primary ball-handlers in that rotation, I'd say Harden and Iggy are the odd men out, although I could easily see Griffin struggling in the international game and them going with the more traditional shooting from the 4 and 5 in Melo and Love.

If they were truly smart they'd slide Durant to SG, and bring Kobe off the bench since he's just going to be chucking isolation turn-arounds anyway.  Start Melo so none of their forwards can switch, and let Durant score 40 a game over all the 6'4"ish and smaller SGs.  Too bad Kobe's such a chick and that'll never happen.

[Who]

I could easily see Griffin struggling in the international game

Me too -- lack of jump-shooting + indifferent defender

Who isn't good enough defensively to slide to the five and anchor the defense which is the best way for him to open up his offensive game in International Basketball.

I wouldn't take Blake Griffin on the team. Although I fully expect him to be there (due to his reputation + Jerry Colangelo's decision making) but he wouldn't be if it were my decision.

[Swoopz]

Of course he'd say that. He's a competitor, he's not going to say, "oh we'd have no chance"

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Kobe, stop talking. Even the shell of Larry Bird would teach you some hard lessons.

[Snakehead]

I could easily see Griffin struggling in the international game

Me too -- lack of jump-shooting + indifferent defender

Who isn't good enough defensively to slide to the five and anchor the defense which is the best way for him to open up his offensive game in International Basketball.

I wouldn't take Blake Griffin on the team. Although I fully expect him to be there (due to his reputation + Jerry Colangelo's decision making) but he wouldn't be if it were my decision.

Alridge should have been the choice, uness there's some reasoning I'm missing.  Much better all around player IMO.  I would have taken Cousins too for another C.

[flyofchange]

Of course he'd say that. He's a competitor, he's not going to say, "oh we'd have no chance"

There is a difference between being a competitor and just being ignorant.

He knows the truth deep down even if he wont admit it.

[JSD]

The only thing that's a small shame is that 1992 team took Laettner instead of Shaq.  If they had taken Shaq, it wouldn't even have been close.  Robinson and Ewing (along with Barkley and Malone) would already destroy the 2012 team inside.  With Shaq it'd just be absurd.  

It is a shame Shaq didn't end up on that team instead of Laettner. Though it's understandable as Christian had just completed an historic collegiate career at that time.

Actually, it's probably because he was white.  

[chambers]

I think the 92 team would win because of their bigs.
Way more skilled than todays bigs- perhaps not as athletic on the whole though.
I'd say the 2000 USA team that won would be a better match up- KG and Duncan inside instead of this years team- I don't even know who the 'bigs' are this year but Howard is injured and Bynum ain't got nuthin on Timmy and KG in their prime.

[CelticG1]

Why do people always mention Bird when talking about that team? Didn't he retire that year? Was he still an elite player in the league?

I feel like people just throw his name out there but lebron now against Bird in 92 wouldn't that just be kind of a pathetic  match up?

That 92 team was stacked but I feel like bird isn't one if the guys that made that team THAT good.

As for Kobe this dream team isn't even as good as others since 92

[bostonftw]

Considering the 2012 team are expert chuckers, a no. Would not even be close. 2012 team would just be included to the teams that DT won against with a difference of 40+points.

2012 might be athletic, but its not like DT weren't athletic. Not to mention better defenders and bigger players.

Would actually be keen on seeing Griffin trying to dunk over Barkley or Malone. I'm quite sure Griffin's face would touch the floor before he even gets to jump up.   Should be fun.

[Eja117]

To me a big difference between the 92 team and this one is that in 92 they sent the best they had, but nowadays everyone calls out sick

[AshyLarry]

Lol @ Kobe.