Dream Team 1992 vs. Dream Team 2012

The U.S. Men’s Basketball Team is dominating, barely beating*, the competition in London and the comparisons to the original 1992 Dream Team have become inescapable in recent weeks.

*U.S. 99 – LITHUANIA 94

Many fans, myself included, have debated which “Dream Team” is better, the 1992 original, which was the first to feature a roster comprised of NBA stars, or the latest version, featuring many of the NBA’s best current players.

Let’s look at the rosters of the two teams:

1992 Team

C-David Robinson 7-1
C-Patrick Ewing 7-0
PF-Karl Malone 6-9
PF-Charles Barkley 6-6
PF-Christian Laettner 6-11
SF-Larry Bird 6-9
SF-Scottie Pippen 6-7
SF-Chris Mullen 6-7
SG-Michael Jordan 6-6
SG-Clyde Drexler 6-7
PG-John Stockton 6-1
PG-Magic Johnson 6-9

Head Coach-Chuck Daly

2012 Team

C-Tyson Chandler 7-1
PF-Kevin Love 6-10
PF-Anthony Davis 6-10
SF-LeBron James 6-8
SF-Carmelo Anthony 6-8
SF-Andre Igoudala 6-6
SF-Kevin Durant 6-9
SG-James Harden 6-5
SG-Russell Westbrook 6-3
SG-Kobe Bryant 6-6
PG-Chris Paul 6-0
PG-Deron Williams 6-3

Head Coach-Mike Krzyzewski

I first became a serious NBA fan when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird entered the league. I have remained a serious NBA fan since the 1980’s, so I am very familiar with the players from both teams.

So, which team do I think is better? Well, here is my two cents…

I think 1992 team would win if the teams played a seven game series on a neutral court, but it would be competitive. I think it is ridiculous to assert that the 2012 could not defeat the 1992 in even a single game. I could easily see the 2012 team winning 2 or 3 games in a 7 game series.

I think the 1992 team has a big advantage at the Center position and at Power Forward.

I’ll give the 2012 team a slight edge at the Small Forward position.

I think the 1992 team gets the edge at both the Shooting Guard position and Point Guard position imo.