So one of my wife's cousins asked me this the other day: If the Original Deam Team played today's Dream Team, who would win?
OGs:
PG-Magic
SG-MJ
SF-Bird
PF-Malone
C-Robinson
Bench:
Stockton, Drexler, Pippen, Mullen, Ewing, and Barkley (I refuse to include that other guy from Duke)
My 2009 picks:
PG-CP3
SG-Kobe
SF-LeBron
PF-Garnett
C-Howard
Bench:
Wade, Carmelo, Pierce, DWill, Boozer, Bosh, and Redd
This is a fun one to argue since it’s all o’pinion. At the risk of sounding overly nostalgic, allow me to make a case for the ’92 team.
ReplyDelete1. I don’t think it’s as much inspiration and impersonation. Why has post-play diminished over the last 7-10 years? Because all the big stars were never on the playground saying check oot this sweet Patrick Ewing move. Yes, I’m sure Howard, Bosh, Garnett (who wasn’t on the ’08 roster) all loved Jordan, Magic, etc but the all lacked a polished inside game to complement their athleticism; they were too busy practicing their cross-overs and fade-aways.
2. I realize the international talent gap has narrowed since then, but I don’t think matters much. I’m sure the ’92 team could turn the switch unlike a current team from 11th and Figueroa.
3. Match-ups. As Slideshow previously mentioned, it’s all aboot match-ups. Let me examine it further.
a. Magic vs. CP3. Damn, this would be the best match-up by far. Magic’s size vs. CP3’s speed? Yes, Paul would get around Magic consistently, but there is no way he could finish as easily with Robinson, Ewing, Malone in the paint. On the other end, how long could ’08 afford to not double on Magic? On the block, Magic would do work on Paul, Kidd, Williams no doubt. You double, you die. Good luck closing oot on Bird, Jordan. Slight EDGE: Magic
b. MJ vs. KOBE! Defense. Defense. Defense. Most fans forget that MJ in ’92 was very different player than during his second three-peat. He had an inconsistent jumper, lacked the high-post and his deadly turnaround wasn’t there yet. KOBE! could score on anyone, plus with his attitude on defense during play at Kung Pao Chicken Pavilion? Fa’geddabootit. I loved how he let Melo, Wade get their points. That’s fine! I’ll lock-down your best player and score when it matters most in the 4th quarter. In transition, both are the best the game’s ever seen. Maybe Dr. J is in there (hey I have to throw in a 70’s player after BDW did work on his comment). EDGE: I have to say push on it’s own, but favor ’08 if it’s KOBE!/Wade vs. Jordan/Drexler
c. Bird vs. LeBron. [insert anything that has come oot of BDW’s mouth the last week]. EDGE: LeBron
d. Malone vs. ‘Melo. Here’s the thesis of my case. Outside, I give an overall slight edge to ’08 but inside it’s a bigger edge to ’92. Withoot a doubt, Howard, Bosh, Melo are more athletic than Robinson, Ewing, Malone but ’08 at times struggled to score consistently around the basket. Maybe it’s the wider lane in international competition, but when Howard gets quick fouls, you have to come in with Bosh, Prince or Boozer? No mames. ‘Melo is already playing oot of position at the PF. LeBron could handle Malone, Barkley better, but why take another player oot of position? EDGE: Malone
e. Robinson vs. Howard. We’re not judging a dunk contest. Howard is a weak passer from inside and doesn’t scare anyone outside of 12 feet. ’92 wouldn’t have to double anyone inside which means they’d own the glass. Robinson, Ewing boff could shot. EDGE: Robinson.
Bench: Wade, Williams, Tayshaun, Boozer, Kidd, Redd vs. Clyde, Pippen, Barkley, Estackton. Prince is a poor-man’s version of Pippen. Clyde the Glyde could match Wade shot for shot. EDGE: flip a count. Basically, it’s a derivative of my comments above.
I have never felt so ignorant aboot anything in my whole life. I recognize most of the names, but most of the lingo is simply lost on me. Good job guys, for future reference, this will be a great way to keep me oot of a conversation.
ReplyDeleteI guess I could still make my case because it applies to all sports really. I dont especially like getting caught up in the time transcending argument. The foundation is flimsy at best and the more you dive into it the more blurry the lines become. I'm with BDW in that each generation evolved from the one before it to the point where todays guys are playing an entirely different game than the guys who played in 1952. Even the gap between now and 1992 is huge when you really think aboot it.
Dont get me wrong, I love to throw down in the MJ vs. KOBE! argument, but moreso because everyone is always ingesting MJ's meat than because I really feel any sort of conviction. Its too different of a game, the competition is different and the coaching is different. So if there is no definitive argument when comparing MJ vs KOBE! how can arguing over two entire rosters be any better? You can analize one guys game but how can you possibly know how it would match up against someone who was still in diapers when the first guy was playing?
Sorry, I dont mean to bring down the fun you guys were having bring up old guys and their shit, but if arguing MJ KOBE! is like arguing the second coming, then arguing over dream teams is like arguing over what shade of white his cloud will be when he rolls back into the scene.