Not done with the 92' Dream Team vs. 2012 USA Basketball Team debate?
To break it down, I'm going to rank each player on each team. 24 total players, 12 from each team. 1 to 24.
The ranking reflects the player at the time of either the 92' or 2012 Olympics. Therefore Larry Bird's entire career will not be considered, only level of player he was when he was 35 years old in 1992.
24. Christian Laettner: Age in 1992: 22
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The most out of place person in history. Do you think the 92' team even let him hang out with them? Did he even dress out for games?
23. Anthony Davis: Age in 2012: 19
Being ranked 23rd on this list is in no way a bad thing. Davis could develop into an MVP caliber player. But at this point he is a boy among men. Like Laettner, he is a player coming right out of college to play with men who play basketball for a living. Davis, however, is actually good at basketball unlike Laettner. Davis didn't make the team out of some ill conceived include a college player rule.
22. Tyson Chandler: Age in 2012: 29
Chandler is the reigning defensive player of the year, and the only option the 2012 team has at center. No shame here for Chandler, he simply just doesn't have the all around game that the rest of these guys have. Remember that every single member (besides Laettner) of the 1992 team is a hall-of-famer. Chandler is not.
21. Andre Igoudala: Age in 2012: 28
Iggy is a good NBA player, but several notches below the "great" or "elite" range. Iggy is limited offensively, and has never developed a consistent jumper. He is an elite level defender capable of guarding several positions.
20. James Harden: Age in 2012: 22
Riddle me this, Harden is supposed to be an all around offensive player and average defender, yet he has never averaged more than 17ppg. A guy with these characteristics doesn't belong up there with hall of famers. Good news is Harden is still young and has plenty of time to develop. Harden will need to be a knock down three point shooter for the 2012 squad.
19. Russell Westbrook: Age in 2012: 23
I actually like Westbrook a whole lot. I mean the guy tries to tear down the rim when he dunks, and he is a point guard. But right now, his game isn't complete enough. He has struggled to be a true point guard and has struggled distributing the ball. If Westbrook became an elite defender he could be significantly higher in these rankings. The difference between 14-19 is splitting hairs.
18. Chris Mullin: Age in 1992: 29
It almost causes me pain ranking a guy like Mullin so low. He put up 25 a game the year before the Olympics; the guy could flat out shoot the rock. His ability to spot up was a perfect compliment for the slashers on the 92' squad. Mullin however was below average defensively and not great on the boards. But he could shoot.
17. Larry Bird: Age in 1992: 35
It seems impossible that one of the four or five greatest players ever is this low, but Larry legend wasn't himself in 1992. Back and knee problems caused him to sit out several games, and severely limited his mobility. Bird could still stroke it with the best of them, and had the basketball IQ of Einstein. Even with crippling injuries, Bird still had a non-stop motor. He might have only played 45 games the year before the Olympics, but he still averaged 20-10-5. When healthy, Bird was a top 5 player.
16. Deron Williams: Age in 2012: 28
There's something about Williams' game that just irks me. He is a slow, in control player who plots and uses his strength and body size. Williams is a good but not great shooter, and a good but not great playmaker. Don't get me wrong, Williams is a very good player, but just not elite.
15. John Stockton: Age in 1992: 30
Stockton gets a little bit of a bad rap for someone who simply made the '92 team because of career accomplishments. Quite the contrary. Stockton averaged 13 assists per game the year before the Olympics, best in the NBA. Stockton was a true point guard. No one ran a team better. He wasn't as physically gifted as Magic, but Stockton was still an elite point guard. He was not only a great passer, but an elite defender. Stockton was crafty and led the league in steals several times.
14. Kevin Love: Age in 2012: 23
Love is another guy that I really like. He is an absolute monster on the glass, one of the few NBA players who still boxes out. Since he has developed range out to the three point line, Love has also been a capable scorer. His game is a perfect fit for the international style. Since the 2012 squad is so thin at the center position, Love will need to spell Tyson Chandler at that spot while also playing the forward position.
13. Patrick Ewing: Age in 1992: 29
Pat Ewing is a big upgrade from Kevin Love in several areas. He was an elite post defender that defended the rim like he owned it. Ewing was a top notch physical specimen; a guy who was country strong and had good leaping ability. He also is 7 feet tall, something that Love is far from. Unlike Love, Ewing never had three point range, but that simply wasn't his game. Ewing was skilled around the basket and could score in several ways.
12. Chris Paul: Age in 2012: 27
Chris Paul might be the best point guard in the NBA today (either him or Rose), but he still comes in pretty low on this list. Paul has been an elite passer, playmaker, and scorer from the point guard position. His defense has dwindled as his career has advanced, but Paul is still a good defender when he wants to be. He could improve his deep jumper a little more and seems to have lost a step from his young days.
11. Clyde Drexler: Age in 1992: 30
Several times throughout his career people debated if Clyde could be as good as Jordan. Clyde was the poor man's Jordan: an elite athlete who flew to the rim, rebounded and defended. Clyde was at the end of his prime during the 92' Olympics but was still one of the best. Clyde never had the drive that Jordan possessed, but still led found his way to the NBA Finals several times.
10. Carmelo Anthony: Age in 2012: 28
Most people have Carmelo a little lower than this, but I have always thought that Carmelo was an elite scorer, elite as in right up there with LeBron. Melo has probably the best mid-range game in the NBA, maybe behind Kobe. Melo can stretch to the three point line or can use his strength to get you in the post. Melo isn't an elite athlete or defender, but is adequate at both.
9. Magic Johnson: Age in 1992: 32
Magic, like Bird, is a top 5 all time player. No one had more court vision, creativity and playmaking ability than Magic. It's incredible that Magic is even on this list after sitting out a year. At his best, Magic is probably right behing LeBron and Jordan.
8. Karl Malone: Age in 1992: 29
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Malone wasn't incredibly skilled, but he was really really good at what he did. The ultimate pick and roll player, the Mailman could deliver at the rim through any contact. You had to physically assault the guy to stop him from scoring. The term country strong actually describes Malone. He is literally a cowboy, since retiring he has bought a home in Alaska. Malone was also a top notch rebounder who had a crazy drive to compete.
7. David Robinson: Age in 1992: 26
The Admiral was one of the most skilled big men of all time. Standing at a true 7'1, not the fake 7'1 measurements we give today, Robinson towered above opponents. Skilled with both hands, The Admiral could finish over either shoulder and possessed a number of post moves. Robinson was a could passer, a good defender and always owned the glass. To add to that, Robinson was one of the best teammates you could ask for. His basketball IQ was top of the line. Robinson was a complete big man.
6. Kobe Bryant: Age in 2012: 33
Kobe is also a guy who is in the top 5 all time discussion, but he's not 20 anymore. Kobe has lost several steps, and is no longer an elite athlete. What Kobe lacks in athleticism he makes up for in competitiveness, skill and work. Kobe has developed an absolutely sick midrange game and is becoming a solid post guard. Kobe also provides veteran leadership to the young 2012 squad. He is the toughest, refuse to lose player in 2012.
5. Charles Barkley: Age in 1992: 29
The Round Mound of Rebound, Sir Charles was not only a beast on the boards, but an elite scorer. Quick: who led the Dream Team in scoring? MJ? Scottie Pippen? Nope, it was Barkley, physically overpowering players in the halfcourt and outworking them on the boards. Besides being a huge guy, Barkley was also talented. Barkley was a good ballhandler, a good playmaker and could score in the midrange. Barkley was in his prime in 92' and it showed.
4. Scottie Pippen: Age in 1992: 26
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People who say that Pippen road Jordan's coattails to six rings are flat out wrong. Pippen was a freak athlete who was one of the most well rounded players ever. Pippen could defend anyone. He was ripped, could jump and move with anyone. If anyone could guard Durant or LeBron it would be Pippen or Jordan. He could score, shoot, rebound, handle the ball, pass and defend. Pippen was an all around beast.
3. Kevin Durant: Age in 2012: 23
Durant is simply the best scorer in the NBA. He's not an elite athlete, ballhandler, playmaker or defender. But man can he score. A legit 6'9 or 6'10, Durant is too tall for most players quick enough to guard him and too fast for anyone tall enough. Durant has range for days and a quick release, especially useful in the shortened international game. Durant is one of the best scorers of all time.
2. LeBron James: Age in 2012: 27
Bron is Scottie Pippen but better. The best athlete maybe ever, LeBron is a freak of nature. Like Pippen, LeBron can do it all. LeBron is at his best when he is taking to the hole, playing in transition and making plays. As amazing as LeBron is, he still doesn't have the drive of Jordan.
1. Michael Jordan: Age in 1992: 29
Jordan was one of the best athletes to ever play who was incredibly gifted. What made Jordan the best was his attitude. Jordan absolutely refused to lose. He outworked every single person in the league. When it came down to the wire, there was no one better than Jordan. Jordan is on the top of this list not because of physical gifts but because of hard work and drive.
You too can rank every player from both teams here.
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