Kobe says this year's US team could beat Dream Team

[Victor7]

Kobe Bryant said in an interview that he thinks this year's Olympic team could take on 1992's Dream Team. According to Kobe those guys were "old" and he's got all the youngsters. Well for starters Kobe is 34 so check yourself. Jordan was 29 back then. The rest ??? Barkley 29, Malone 28, Stockton 30, Ewing 29, Robinson 26, Pippen 26, Drexler 30, Mullin 28, Latener was like 6 or something. The "old" ones were Magic at 32 and Bird at 35.

Like I don't hate Kobe enough. Douchebag. Uninformed douche bag actually.

What do you guys think ???


BTW Barkley (obviously) responded to Kobe. First thing he said was .... "Isn't Kobe like 34 or something ? .... why is he calling us old ? we were in our prime".
He also said that from the current team only Kobe, Bron and Durant would've made that 92 team. Can't say I disagree. Maybe I could see Melo in there but the rest ?? No effin way.

[JEvans14]

I'm not going to say that Kobe is right or wrong, but it'd be an interesting matchup. The '92 team would pound the '12 team down low, but the '12 team would run and run and run.

If this team was healthy with Dwight and D-Rose it'd be another story and I'd lean towards them to win.

You'd have to put LeBron on Magic, Kobe on MJ, Durant on Bird, Melo? on Barkley/Malone, and then Chandler on Ewing. I really don't know how else you could play them to start, but that would pretty much have to be the lineup, and then slide Paul/Westbrook/DWill in when Drexler/Stockton come in.

It'd be a heck of a match up.

[FinNasty]

If the team was healthy and had Wade, Dwight, Bosh, etc... I think they would take the original Dream Team. All of today's players are in their primes except Kobe, vs the Dream Team who had a few of it's stars in their last years.

However w/o a full team, particularly Dwight, I don't think so...

[Mouldsie]

Michael Jordan.

/debate

[nyjunc]

There is a misperception that the '92 team was all old guys out of their primes, the only "old", broken down guy guy was Bird at 35. Magic was off for a year but still wasn't old at 32(Kobe will be 34 at this years olympics). Don't forget too that players start playing younger so while the average age is 2 years less for the '12 team those guys started 2-3 years younger than the other guys so their bodies have more wear.

I think the '92 team would beat this team fairly handily, I think they'd beat this team if it had Howard and Rose too. The big men of '92 could actually score besides dunking the ball. Kobe couldn't handle Michael but I think Michael could slow Kobe down. Who are the Pfs on the team? how could they handle Malone & Barkley? lebron would be the biggest nightmare matchup- I guess Scottie would stick him but Lebron tends to pass more than he should so they could survive.

I think '92 wins by 15 pts against the 2012 current roster
I think '92 wins by about 10 against the 2012 w/ Howard & Rose

[FinNasty]

There is a misperception that the '92 team was all old guys out of their primes, the only "old", broken down guy guy was Bird at 35. Magic was off for a year but still wasn't old at 32(Kobe will be 34 at this years olympics). Don't forget too that players start playing younger so while the average age is 2 years less for the '12 team those guys started 2-3 years younger than the other guys so their bodies have more wear.

I think the '92 team would beat this team fairly handily, I think they'd beat this team if it had Howard and Rose too. The big men of '92 could actually score besides dunking the ball. Kobe couldn't handle Michael but I think Michael could slow Kobe down. Who are the Pfs on the team? how could they handle Malone & Barkley? lebron would be the biggest nightmare matchup- I guess Scottie would stick him but Lebron tends to pass more than he should so they could survive.

I think '92 wins by 15 pts against the 2012 current roster
I think '92 wins by about 10 against the 2012 w/ Howard & Rose

What about the roster with Howard, Rose, Wade, and Bosh? Wade was the leading scorer of the team last go around. And Dwight is FAR improved in the post since the last go around. Howard can score in the paint just fine in the post with a mix of post moves from either block. I know its a stigma that Dwight is having trouble breaking... but ever since he worked with the Dream 2 years ago, the difference has been night and day. Also, Bosh is a great fit for the international game with his ability to shoot.

I dont think the whole team was old. Hell, Jordan and Barkely were in their primes at 29 I believe. But Bird was shot, and Magic I believe had been out of basketball for a year at that point (correct me if I'm wrong, a little before my time). The Dream Team had all time greats, top 20 players. But I think when we look back at the collective group of players today, guys like Bron, Durant, Wade, Dwight, Chris Paul, etc will also finish their careers in that same catagory. And with the combo of athleticism/scoring/defense that the roster would have if healthy, I think they take the Dream Team.

[machu46]

The 92 team would beat this year's team almost every single time.

MJ and Pippen could limit LBJ/Durant/Melo's effectiveness. There isn't a guy on this year's team that could stop MJ or even dream about doing anything to Karl Malone, David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, etc.

And that's not even mentioning the 92 team had Magic, Bird, and Stockton in there too.

Barkley was right, there's probably 3 guys from this year's team that would have made the '92 team.

[Victor7]

If the team was healthy and had Wade, Dwight, Bosh, etc... I think they would take the original Dream Team. All of today's players are in their primes except Kobe, vs the Dream Team who had a few of it's stars in their last years.

However w/o a full team, particularly Dwight, I don't think so...

Who exactly???

Did you read the ages in my post ??? ... other than Magic and Byrd the rest were in their primes.

[Victor7]

There is a misperception that the '92 team was all old guys out of their primes, the only "old", broken down guy guy was Bird at 35. Magic was off for a year but still wasn't old at 32(Kobe will be 34 at this years olympics). Don't forget too that players start playing younger so while the average age is 2 years less for the '12 team those guys started 2-3 years younger than the other guys so their bodies have more wear.

I think the '92 team would beat this team fairly handily, I think they'd beat this team if it had Howard and Rose too. The big men of '92 could actually score besides dunking the ball. Kobe couldn't handle Michael but I think Michael could slow Kobe down. Who are the Pfs on the team? how could they handle Malone & Barkley? lebron would be the biggest nightmare matchup- I guess Scottie would stick him but Lebron tends to pass more than he should so they could survive.

I think '92 wins by 15 pts against the 2012 current roster
I think '92 wins by about 10 against the 2012 w/ Howard & Rose

For once you and I agree 100%

[FinNasty]

Who exactly???

Did you read the ages in my post ??? ... other than Magic and Byrd the rest were in their primes.

Thats all. I was referring to Magic and Bird...

[Victor7]

Thats all. I was referring to Magic and Bird...

If its 2 out of 11 or 12 guys then the "old" guy excuse can't really be used. Kobe is 34 and he's probably the 2nd or 3rd best player on the current team.

[FinNasty]

If its 2 out of 11 or 12 guys then the "old" guy excuse can't really be used. Kobe is 34 and he's probably the 2nd or 3rd best player on the current team.

Pretty passionate about this topic, huh Vic?

No, I agree. If you read my post, I said Kobe is old, and that a couple of their guys are old. However, of the players on that team, 2 of the 3 players that had the greatest historical significance were "old". Assuming that this team was healthy and had its full roster, I think ž of the players with the greatest historical significance (Bron, Kobe, Wade, Durant) are in their primes. Also, I think that the athleticism that today's players have would tip the scales in their favor, especially if Dwight is there to help level the playing field on the boards.

[Victor7]

Pretty passionate about this topic, huh Vic?

Nah ... I just hate Kobe Bryant. Like really really hate him. He thinks he's a gift to humanity.

No, I agree. If you read my post, I said Kobe is old, and that a couple of their guys are old. However, of the players on that team, 2 of the 3 players that had the greatest historical significance were "old". Assuming that this team was healthy and had its full roster, I think ž of the players with the greatest historical significance (Bron, Kobe, Wade, Durant) are in their primes. Also, I think that the athleticism that today's players have would tip the scales in their favor, especially if Dwight is there to help level the playing field on the boards.

I think you are selling the rest of the team short by focusing that much on Byrd and Magic .... Barkley was a beast. He actually lead the team in scoring. Ewing and Robinson in the middle ?? Malone running rough shot over everybody. Stockton dishing left and right. Oh and some dude names Jordan played too.

Like Barkley said 3 guys from the current team make that 92 team. That pretty much nails it. James Harden ?? lol

[FinNasty]

Nah ... I just hate Kobe Bryant. Like really really hate him. He thinks he's a gift to humanity.

lol understandable...

I think you are selling the rest of the team short by focusing that much on Byrd and Magic .... Barkley was a beast. He actually lead the team in scoring. Ewing and Robinson in the middle ?? Malone running rough shot over everybody. Stockton dishing left and right. Oh and some dude names Jordan played too.

Like Barkley said 3 guys from the current team make that 92 team. That pretty much nails it. James Harden ?? lol

Ya, Harden has no business. But if the team was healthy (which has been my caveat the entire time), Harden wouldnt be on the team. With Wade and Rose, Harden is watching from home.

I just think that when we look back after their careers at players like LeBron/Wade/Durant/Dwight/Kobe/Chris Paul/etc... we are going to be holding them in in the same regard as the players like Jordan/Stockton/Magic/Bird/Ewing/etc. And with the athleticism the current players have... I think they could edge out the Dream Team.

I'll tell you what though... it would be one HELL of a game. I'd pay some big money to pop some popcorn and watch that show...

[nyjunc]

What about the roster with Howard, Rose, Wade, and Bosh? Wade was the leading scorer of the team last go around. And Dwight is FAR improved in the post since the last go around. Howard can score in the paint just fine in the post with a mix of post moves from either block. I know its a stigma that Dwight is having trouble breaking... but ever since he worked with the Dream 2 years ago, the difference has been night and day. Also, Bosh is a great fit for the international game with his ability to shoot.

I dont think the whole team was old. Hell, Jordan and Barkely were in their primes at 29 I believe. But Bird was shot, and Magic I believe had been out of basketball for a year at that point (correct me if I'm wrong, a little before my time). The Dream Team had all time greats, top 20 players. But I think when we look back at the collective group of players today, guys like Bron, Durant, Wade, Dwight, Chris Paul, etc will also finish their careers in that same catagory. And with the combo of athleticism/scoring/defense that the roster would have if healthy, I think they take the Dream Team.

Wade would help, as good as Bosh is malone and Barkley would destroy him.

Lebron, Durant and those guys you mentioned will/may be HOFers but all 11 pros were HOFers on that '92 team- that's depth and I'll take any team w/ Jordan on it.

[machu46]

I just think that when we look back after their careers at players like LeBron/Wade/Durant/Dwight/Kobe/Chris Paul/etc... we are going to be holding them in in the same regard as the players like Jordan/Stockton/Magic/Bird/Ewing/etc. And with the athleticism the current players have... I think they could edge out the Dream Team.

On the current team, I think LeBron, Durant, Kobe, CP3 are definitely going to be hall-of-famers.

But LeBron and Kobe are the only two I think will be mentioned in the same sentence as MJ/Magic/Bird/Barkley/Stockton/Malone. Durant could possibly get there, but we'll see how much he can improve his game still. And Kobe is over the hill.

[FinNasty]

On the current team, I think LeBron, Durant, Kobe, CP3 are definitely going to be hall-of-famers.

But LeBron and Kobe are the only two I think will be mentioned in the same sentence as MJ/Magic/Bird/Barkley/Stockton/Malone. Durant could possibly get there, but we'll see how much he can improve his game still. And Kobe is over the hill.

Well, if you are saying Kobe is over the hill... you cant even have Bird in the discussion. The guy's back was absolutely shot when the Dream Team played. And Wade will absolutely be in that discussion of top 10-15 player of all time when his career is over IMO. I admittingly have a bias, but I dont think I'm being a homer with that statement. Scoring title, 2+ championships, Finals MVP, perennial All Star and 1st team defender, and the best shot blocking guard of all time. I think hes going to go down as one of the best SG's of all time after his career has finished playing out.

As far as the HoF... the HoF isnt terribly hard to get into. Durant will go. Dwight will easily go. Bosh will go. Even Melo will have a shot, especially with a college championship. Rose will probably go so long as he recovers b/c I dont think theres an MVP that hasnt made it.

Thats around 9 HoFers at least compared to the 11 on the Dream Team. And the 10th/11th guys arent going to be able to play enough off the bench to seperate the 2 groups IMO.



Could you imagine the $$$ they could make off of pay-per-view for that game though?!?!?!? (you know... if they first invented a time machine, lol)

[nyjunc]

Wade is a great player, a lock HOFer but not a top 10-15 player.

The HOF isn't as hard as other sports b/c they also take into account college but Bosh didn't do much in college. Bosh is NOT a HOFer at this time and has a long way to go to become one. Just b/c players make AS games doesn't make then HOFers, Bosh has made just one all NBA team('07 2nd team) in 9 seasons, no all defensive teams(1st, 2nd or 3rd team). He's got no shot at the hall.

[FinNasty]

Wade is a great player, a lock HOFer but not a top 10-15 player.

The HOF isn't as hard as other sports b/c they also take into account college but Bosh didn't do much in college. Bosh is NOT a HOFer at this time and has a long way to go to become one. Just b/c players make AS games doesn't make then HOFers, Bosh has made just one all NBA team('07 2nd team) in 9 seasons, no all defensive teams(1st, 2nd or 3rd team). He's got no shot at the hall.

Well, I've said many times that I think when their careers are finished, I think thats where they will stand. Wade isnt currently a top 10-15 player... but with another championship or 2, plus everything else that will come along with those seasons... I think will definately put him up in that group.

And no, Bosh wouldnt be a HoFer right now... but he isnt terribly far off. A 10 time All star and multiple champion? That would put him in no question...

[L2duis]

Bosh and HOF should not, and will never be in the same sentence.

[nyjunc]

Well, I've said many times that I think when their careers are finished, I think thats where they will stand. Wade isnt currently a top 10-15 player... but with another championship or 2, plus everything else that will come along with those seasons... I think will definately put him up in that group.

And no, Bosh wouldnt be a HoFer right now... but a 10 time All star and multiple champion? That would put him in no question.

The heat are winning or losing title based on lebron's play not Wade.

Top 10-15 all time is rarified air, lebron will be there but as great as Wade is he'd have to get much better these next 5-6 years and I don't see that happening.

all star games are popularity contests, all NBA teams tell us much more. Right now he only has one appearance on a 2nd team and they announce 3 teams every year. he has a long way to go.

Dennis Rodman only made 2 AS games, won 5 titles but he made 2 all NBA teams, 8 all D teams and was 2 time DPOY. It's not about AS games

[FinNasty]

The heat are winning or losing title based on lebron's play not Wade.

Top 10-15 all time is rarified air, lebron will be there but as great as Wade is he'd have to get much better these next 5-6 years and I don't see that happening.

all star games are popularity contests, all NBA teams tell us much more. Right now he only has one appearance on a 2nd team and they announce 3 teams every year. he has a long way to go.

Dennis Rodman only made 2 AS games, won 5 titles but he made 2 all NBA teams, 8 all D teams and was 2 time DPOY. It's not about AS games

First, if they win multiple titles... that first sentence is completely wrong. Sure, Bron was the MVP and most likely will be the future MVP if they win again. However, the Heat arent winning multiple rings if Wade doesnt play like a HoFer. Its a team sport... and the contributions of Wade are still very critical even though Bron is the best player on the planet. Plus, Wade has done it on his own, and put up the greatest statistical performance the Finals has ever seen. What more would Wade have to do in the next 5-6 years to get in that catagory? Hes pretty much gone down a checklist of almost everything you can do IMO.

And no where did I say that AS = HoF. I dont care how many AS games Rodman made... guy was a HoFer (and obviously better than Bosh). However, AS games are part of it in terms of individual accolades... b/c Bosh sure as hell hasnt made AS games based on popularity, lol. Hes one of the better PFs in the league today... and he didnt get any love when playing in Toronto. Hell, the guy tried to even make a YouTube video just to get people to notice him up there, lol.

[nyjunc]

First, if they win multiple titles... that first sentence is completely wrong. Sure, Bron was the MVP and most likely will be the future MVP if they win again. However, the Heat arent winning multiple rings if Wade doesnt play like a HoFer. Its a team sport... and the contributions of Wade are still very critical even though Bron is the best player on the planet. Plus, Wade has done it on his own, and put up one of the greatest statistical performances the Finals has ever seen. What more would Wade have to do in the next 5-6 years to get in that catagory? Hes pretty much gone down a checklist of almost everything you can do IMO.

And no where did I say that AS = HoF. I dont care how many AS games Rodman made... guy was a HoFer (and obviously better than Bosh). However, AS games are part of it in terms of individual accolades... b/c Bosh sure as hell hasnt made AS games based on popularity, lol. Hes one of the better PFs in the league today... and he didnt get any love when playing in Toronto. Hell, the guy tried to even make a YouTube video just to get people to notice him up there, lol.

Wade didn't do it on his own, he did it w/ the most dominant big man of the last era. wade's abilityt to get to the FT line like no other player won that Dallas series but w/o Shaq they aren't close.

wade has been a key contributor but the '06 team was considered Shaq's team, the '12 team lebron's.

When Bosh makes some all NBA teams and/or all defensive teams I'll begin to think he has a chance. Until then he's got absolutely no chance, I don't care if Miami wins the next 5 championships.

sometimes great players are stuck on bad teams in small markets, it happens. Bosh isn't great and he's not a HOFer.

[FinNasty]

Wade didn't do it on his own, he did it w/ the most dominant big man of the last era. wade's abilityt to get to the FT line like no other player won that Dallas series but w/o Shaq they aren't close.

wade has been a key contributor but the '06 team was considered Shaq's team, the '12 team lebron's.

When Bosh makes some all NBA teams and/or all defensive teams I'll begin to think he has a chance. Until then he's got absolutely no chance, I don't care if Miami wins the next 5 championships.

sometimes great players are stuck on bad teams in small markets, it happens. Bosh isn't great and he's not a HOFer.

Sure, they needed Shaq. I just said its a team game. No one wins it by themselves, even Jordan. However, as far as the bolded.... wha????????? You cant be serious...

Shaq is historically greater than Wade for sure. But at that point Wade was absolutely the better player. Shaq averaged 13/10 in those Finals. Wade had the greatest statistical performance in NBA Finals history. Its not even close...

[nyjunc]

Wade was on the FT line every time you turned around, he was treated better than Jordan ever was in that Finals and that's why they won.

Shaq was 1st team all NBA in 2006, Wade 2nd team. It was still Shaq out front but Wade stepped up in the Finals and they called every touch foul imaginable. I'm not trying to take away credit as he was aggressive and they were calling it but his greatness came from getting to the FT line.

He averaged 16 FTAs per game. He averaged 13 PPG from the line