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

[snowball]

These historical comparisons are never valid in sports.

[aporel#18]

Durant and Chris Paul have the kind of talent to go with their '92 counterparts. They could play under '92 rules and they'd be as good or better. The rest of 2012 team... maybe.

LeBron/Kobe/Harden/Westbrook are beasts, but without the star calls (against Jordan???) they're not that effective. Also, Jordan/Drexler/Pippen were probably more of a physical beast than today's wings.

Bird on a wheelchair could score 20 on any team. Magic could post up LeBron, play outside, make him run all around the court. Mullin wasn't athletic, but his hands were lightning fast, and he was a deadly shooter.

Stockton/Malone? People forget how tough Stockton was, he didn't back off from anyone, and he could pass. Who could stop their pick&roll in today's game?

Centers... Admiral and Ewing weren't the best centers in the league back then, but they were huge and more talented than anyone in the league today.

Gino time every game in the late 3rd. Kobe is a moron, but I don't blame him, because he got 2 undeserved Finals MVP when Gasol, Odom, and even Fisher were better than him.

[celticsclay]

Just compare the teams, matchups, etc.

PG - Paul, Williams, Westbrook
SG - Bryant, Harden
SF - Durant, Anthony, Iguodala
PF - James, Griffin
C - Chandler, Love

vs.

PG - Johnson, Stockton
SG - Jordan, Drexler
SF - Bird, Pippen, Mullen
PF - Malone, Barkley, Laettner
C - Robinson, Ewing

Honestly, the teams are actually much closer than I thought.  Magic had just missed an entire year after the HIV diagnosis and I think Stockton would get overwhelmed by Paul and Williams speed, quickness, and strength.  Jordan and Bryant aren't that far apart, though Drexler would destroy Harden (of course I'm not sure Harden would play much as Melo probably plays against Clyde and he would be a tough matchup for Clyde).  Durant would destroy the Bird from 1992, though I think Pippen would fair pretty good on both ends against Durant.  James is just too quick and strong for Malone and Barkley on offense and would more than hold his own on defense (and I don't think the 92 boys could run with Griffin or keep up with athleticism).  Now obviously Robinson and Ewing would have huge size advantages, but I'm not sure either one could guard Love on the perimeter or keep up with Chandler in the fast break.  

Honestly given the age of Bird and Magic, I don't think this game would be a total blow out at all and would be very close.

The centers are a laughable comparison in my eyes. I also don't see how Jordan at 28 is about even with a 35 year old Kobe. That seems really insulting to Jordan.

[BballTim]

Just compare the teams, matchups, etc.

PG - Paul, Williams, Westbrook
SG - Bryant, Harden
SF - Durant, Anthony, Iguodala
PF - James, Griffin
C - Chandler, Love

vs.

PG - Johnson, Stockton
SG - Jordan, Drexler
SF - Bird, Pippen, Mullen
PF - Malone, Barkley, Laettner
C - Robinson, Ewing

Honestly, the teams are actually much closer than I thought.  Magic had just missed an entire year after the HIV diagnosis and I think Stockton would get overwhelmed by Paul and Williams speed, quickness, and strength.  Jordan and Bryant aren't that far apart, though Drexler would destroy Harden (of course I'm not sure Harden would play much as Melo probably plays against Clyde and he would be a tough matchup for Clyde).  Durant would destroy the Bird from 1992, though I think Pippen would fair pretty good on both ends against Durant.  James is just too quick and strong for Malone and Barkley on offense and would more than hold his own on defense (and I don't think the 92 boys could run with Griffin or keep up with athleticism).  Now obviously Robinson and Ewing would have huge size advantages, but I'm not sure either one could guard Love on the perimeter or keep up with Chandler in the fast break.  

Honestly given the age of Bird and Magic, I don't think this game would be a total blow out at all and would be very close.

  Kobe's closer to Harden's level than he is to MJ at the time. Kobe in his prime was well below MJ, and he's not in his prime anymore.

[Moranis]

Just compare the teams, matchups, etc.

PG - Paul, Williams, Westbrook
SG - Bryant, Harden
SF - Durant, Anthony, Iguodala
PF - James, Griffin
C - Chandler, Love

vs.

PG - Johnson, Stockton
SG - Jordan, Drexler
SF - Bird, Pippen, Mullen
PF - Malone, Barkley, Laettner
C - Robinson, Ewing

Honestly, the teams are actually much closer than I thought.  Magic had just missed an entire year after the HIV diagnosis and I think Stockton would get overwhelmed by Paul and Williams speed, quickness, and strength.  Jordan and Bryant aren't that far apart, though Drexler would destroy Harden (of course I'm not sure Harden would play much as Melo probably plays against Clyde and he would be a tough matchup for Clyde).  Durant would destroy the Bird from 1992, though I think Pippen would fair pretty good on both ends against Durant.  James is just too quick and strong for Malone and Barkley on offense and would more than hold his own on defense (and I don't think the 92 boys could run with Griffin or keep up with athleticism).  Now obviously Robinson and Ewing would have huge size advantages, but I'm not sure either one could guard Love on the perimeter or keep up with Chandler in the fast break.  

Honestly given the age of Bird and Magic, I don't think this game would be a total blow out at all and would be very close.

The centers are a laughable comparison in my eyes. I also don't see how Jordan at 28 is about even with a 35 year old Kobe. That seems really insulting to Jordan.

I meant it more in a matchup standpoint.  Kobe would make Michael work a lot on the defensive end and you know Kobe would be up for guarding Michael. 

Michael would be the best player on the court.  Lebron would be the second best player on the court.  After that who really knows except I think everyone would agree Laettner would be the worst player on the court (if he ever got into a game).

[GreenFaith1819]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7BuQFUhsRM

I'll try to change Cipher's wording to something Kobe would say, in relation to his outlandish comments here:

"I know my comments hold no water...I know that being in purple and gold and in Hollywood has told my brain that this yr's Dream Team is better than I believe it is......

....after 16 years in Hollywood, you know what I realize?"

"Ignorance is Bliss"....

[BballTim]

Just compare the teams, matchups, etc.

PG - Paul, Williams, Westbrook
SG - Bryant, Harden
SF - Durant, Anthony, Iguodala
PF - James, Griffin
C - Chandler, Love

vs.

PG - Johnson, Stockton
SG - Jordan, Drexler
SF - Bird, Pippen, Mullen
PF - Malone, Barkley, Laettner
C - Robinson, Ewing

Honestly, the teams are actually much closer than I thought.  Magic had just missed an entire year after the HIV diagnosis and I think Stockton would get overwhelmed by Paul and Williams speed, quickness, and strength.  Jordan and Bryant aren't that far apart, though Drexler would destroy Harden (of course I'm not sure Harden would play much as Melo probably plays against Clyde and he would be a tough matchup for Clyde).  Durant would destroy the Bird from 1992, though I think Pippen would fair pretty good on both ends against Durant.  James is just too quick and strong for Malone and Barkley on offense and would more than hold his own on defense (and I don't think the 92 boys could run with Griffin or keep up with athleticism).  Now obviously Robinson and Ewing would have huge size advantages, but I'm not sure either one could guard Love on the perimeter or keep up with Chandler in the fast break.  

Honestly given the age of Bird and Magic, I don't think this game would be a total blow out at all and would be very close.

The centers are a laughable comparison in my eyes. I also don't see how Jordan at 28 is about even with a 35 year old Kobe. That seems really insulting to Jordan.

I meant it more in a matchup standpoint.  Kobe would make Michael work a lot on the defensive end and you know Kobe would be up for guarding Michael. 

  Kobe might be up for guarding MJ but that doesn't mean that he'd be able to stop him from scoring or anything.

[dmopower]

Barkley would break LJ in half in the post.

Not even close!  Class of 92 by 20 easy.

I think the 92 team would win, especially if you they could still hand check and play physical.

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.

[Moranis]

Just compare the teams, matchups, etc.

PG - Paul, Williams, Westbrook
SG - Bryant, Harden
SF - Durant, Anthony, Iguodala
PF - James, Griffin
C - Chandler, Love

vs.

PG - Johnson, Stockton
SG - Jordan, Drexler
SF - Bird, Pippen, Mullen
PF - Malone, Barkley, Laettner
C - Robinson, Ewing

Honestly, the teams are actually much closer than I thought.  Magic had just missed an entire year after the HIV diagnosis and I think Stockton would get overwhelmed by Paul and Williams speed, quickness, and strength.  Jordan and Bryant aren't that far apart, though Drexler would destroy Harden (of course I'm not sure Harden would play much as Melo probably plays against Clyde and he would be a tough matchup for Clyde).  Durant would destroy the Bird from 1992, though I think Pippen would fair pretty good on both ends against Durant.  James is just too quick and strong for Malone and Barkley on offense and would more than hold his own on defense (and I don't think the 92 boys could run with Griffin or keep up with athleticism).  Now obviously Robinson and Ewing would have huge size advantages, but I'm not sure either one could guard Love on the perimeter or keep up with Chandler in the fast break.  

Honestly given the age of Bird and Magic, I don't think this game would be a total blow out at all and would be very close.

The centers are a laughable comparison in my eyes. I also don't see how Jordan at 28 is about even with a 35 year old Kobe. That seems really insulting to Jordan.

I meant it more in a matchup standpoint.  Kobe would make Michael work a lot on the defensive end and you know Kobe would be up for guarding Michael. 

  Kobe might be up for guarding MJ but that doesn't mean that he'd be able to stop him from scoring or anything.

Yeah, but no one could.  I don't think MJ would stop Kobe from scoring either, which was my point.  Kobe is still a 28/5.5/4.5 player.  I mean it isn't like he is washed up.

[dmopower]

The Bball IQ on the 92 is light years ahead of this class. They would expose every weakness of every player on todays team and the ego of todays players would be disterous to themselves.

[Roy H.]

Yeah, but no one could.  I don't think MJ would stop Kobe from scoring either, which was my point.  Kobe is still a 28/5.5/4.5 player.  I mean it isn't like he is washed up.

MJ was so much more efficient, though.  52% vs. 43% from the field.  .579 TS% vs. .527.  Plus, MJ had more rebounds, more assists, more steals, more blocks, and fewer turnovers.

[filmexec]

Shows you what a High School Education will get you!
"A Lack of discernment!" LOL! How stupid of Kobe? His ego outpaces his intelligence! AGAIN! Imagine Kobe going down the Lane against Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley! He would spend so much time on his backside that he would think that he always played that way! Scottie Pippen and Michael Jordan would do to him what they did to Toni Kukoc. I like these players that represent us today and wish them the Gold but they are not cut out of the same cloth as the players of that generation! Kobe stuck his mouth/? into another situation he has no place being in?

[RebusRankin]

Jordan was an all-league defender and in 92 was in his prime, while the 2012 Kobe is not. Jordan relished shutting down opponents who were hyped. Recall that in 1992, Drexler was the 2nd best player in the NBA and compared to Jordan. Jordan destroyed him in the 92 Finals. Jordan wins that matchup hands down.

Johnson was still an exceptional player and both Williams and Paul would struggled with his size. Stockton is also being underrated. By 1992, he had lead the NBA in assists for 5 years during a time when Magic, Kevin Johnson, Tim Hardaway and Isaiah Thomas were all active. He held his own against those players, he'd hold his own versus Paul and Williams.

Malone is much stronger than LeBron.

[Swoopz]

I also believe that the 92 team would eat the 12 team alive and I  can't believe that I'm defending Kobe Bryant. But it's not like he said that his team would smash them. he said that it would be tough, but he thinks that they could pull it out. Even if he doesn't believe it himself(which I think is the case), would anyone expect him to say anything else? Why would he hype down his team, even before the Olympics start.

Maybe he should have gone with the politically correct answer and said that two different eras can't be compared but Kobe doesn't seem to care for being politically correct.

[anthony83]

 Dream Team 92 is the best in the history, Kobe does not know what he says.

 Please: Ewing, Magic, Malone, David Robinson, Drexler...

 Tyson Chandler? compared with Ewing? with David? please.

 Dream Team 92 was the best, now Lebron? Griffin?

 Now there are only physical, the NBA is losing talent, there are fewer old school.