Please see below for the 1992 team vs. the 2012 “Dream Team” rosters. No stats, no editorial, no bias, no commentary.
Who has the superior team: LeBron, Durant & Kobe or Magic, Michael & Bird?
| 1992 USA Basketball Men’s National Team roster |
| Players |
Coaches |
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Height |
Weight |
From |
| PF |
4 |
Laettner, Christian |
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) |
235 lb (107 kg) |
Duke |
| C |
5 |
Robinson, David |
7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
235 lb (107 kg) |
San Antonio Spurs |
| C |
6 |
Ewing, Patrick |
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
240 lb (110 kg) |
New York Knicks |
| SF |
7 |
Bird, Larry |
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
Boston Celtics |
| SF |
8 |
Pippen, Scottie |
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
210 lb (95 kg) |
Chicago Bulls |
| SG |
9 |
Jordan, Michael |
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
200 lb (91 kg) |
Chicago Bulls |
| SG |
10 |
Drexler, Clyde |
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
Portland Trail Blazers |
| PF |
11 |
Malone, Karl |
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
255 lb (116 kg) |
Utah Jazz |
| PG |
12 |
Stockton, John |
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
175 lb (79 kg) |
Utah Jazz |
| SF |
13 |
Mullin, Chris |
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
215 lb (98 kg) |
Golden State Warriors |
| PF |
14 |
Barkley, Charles |
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
250 lb (110 kg) |
Phoenix Suns |
| PG |
15 |
Johnson, Magic |
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
220 lb (100 kg) |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
|
| 2012 Summer Olympics Team roster |
| Players |
Coaches |
| Pos. |
# |
Name |
Age – DOB |
Ht. |
Club |
Club nat. |
| C |
4 |
Chandler, Tyson |
29 - October 2, 1982 |
7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
New York Knicks |
 |
| F |
5 |
Durant, Kevin |
23 - September 29, 1988 |
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
| F |
6 |
James, LeBron |
27 - December 30, 1984 |
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
Miami Heat |
|
| G |
7 |
Westbrook, Russell |
23 - November 12, 1988 |
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
| G |
8 |
Williams, Deron |
28 - June 26, 1984 |
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
Brooklyn Nets |
|
| F |
9 |
Iguodala, Andre |
28 - January 28, 1984 |
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
| G |
10 |
Bryant, Kobe |
33 - August 23, 1978 |
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
| F |
11 |
Love, Kevin |
23 - September 7, 1988 |
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
Minnesota Timberwolves |
|
| G |
12 |
Harden, James |
22 - August 26, 1989 |
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
Oklahoma City Thunder |
|
| G |
13 |
Paul, Chris |
27 - May 6, 1985 |
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
Los Angeles Clippers |
|
| F |
15 |
Anthony, Carmelo |
28 - May 29, 1984 |
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) |
New York Knicks |
|
| F |
44 |
Davis, Anthony |
19 - March 11, 1993 |
6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
New Orleans Hornets |
|
|
- Head coach
- Assistant coach(es)
- Legend
- (C)
- Club denotes current pro club
|
Thank you, Wikipedia, for the copy/paste roster formatting.
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Side note….they were deciding between Shaq and Laettner, and chose the latter due to that remarkable shot. But, Shaq at the time had better stats, but I would argue Laettner was the easier, more public-oriented choice at the time. But, think if the squad had Shaq on it, it would be untouchable from a name dropping factor.
I also did the comparisons, using my subjective assessment of who I would start. In 92, Jordan was at his peak, 3-4 more championships to go
92 Starters
Robinson/Ewing
Malone
Barks
Magic
Jordan
vs
2012
Chandler
Durant
Lebron
Kobe
Paul
C – Strong edge to 92, Ewing or Robinson would dominate Chandler, with Robinson providing a solid secondary defender line
PF – Edge to 92 due to physicality. Durant can score, but couldnt guard Malone. The same is true for Malone in that he would have a hard time guarding Durant, but Malone would dominate the inside and probably collect 5+ more rebounds. Would love to see Malon/Griffin match-up with Malone showing him how a true PF plays.
SF – Edge to ’12 – Lebron would be quicker than Charles, but Charles wouldn’t let him have anything easy. Also, if Charles focused purely on Defense, he might give Lebron some trouble. You also have Pippen coming off the bench.
SG – Edge to 92. Jordan in 92 had only won his 2nd or 3rd championship….He still had 3 more to go. He was physically at a great point and had matured in his game. 29 yo Jordan vs 34 yo Kobe is a strong edge to Jordan.
PG – Wash – Hardest for me to judge. I think either player would make the other look stupid on Defense. The one thing that I think 92 has an edge on is better help defenders and taller centers to clog the lane when Paul gets past Magic. Magic will also do his flying kick move to clear Paul off and get Chandler after that. This would be an awesome match-up to see.
My thoughts.
First and foremost: Laettner had no business being on the original Dream Team. He was the token collegiate player in the transition year from collegiate players to pro players, and I want to vomit every time I see his name on the Dream Team roster. That aside, I have to say the original Dream Team would crush the current US Team.
PG – Magic / Stockton
SG – Jordan / Drexler
SF – Bird / Pippen
PF – Barkley / Malone
C – Robinson / Ewing
REE-DIC-U-LOUS.
PS – Michael Jordan is simultaneously the greatest NBA baller of all time and the biggest NBA douche bag of all time. I can’t give him praise without acknowledging his supreme level of douche-baggery. Facts are facts.
The original Dream Team would win 4-0!
That team was on a mission not only to win,
but to destroy! Jordan, Magic, Bird & others
had the mind set to do whatever it tales to
WIN! The only only one like that on the current
team is Kobe.