<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6DSJK4jo2wg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> there you go area code
On your point about athleticism, since you didn't have the chance to see MJ in his prime, just watch this vid. Kobe never had the explosiveness that he had. I hated MJ since he'd always just destroy everyone else in the playoffs, but no one has come close since--not Kobe: <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SGLaKfEyRL4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> If you look at the physical and skill advantages at each position, the Dream Team would dominate all but the SF position. C: Patrick and Robinson would completely dominate Howard. PF: Barkley and Malone against, are you kidding me, Boozer and Bosh? SF: Pippen would be outplayed by Lebron with his physicality, but Pippen's defense would slow LBJ down a bit. Bird was old by then. Mullen would be great to stretch the defense. SG: MJ was just leagues beyond Kobe ever was. MJ was at his peak in 92 and Kobe is on the decline. But even with Kobe at his peak, Jordan had a FG% of over 52%, which is insane for a guard in a league with handchecking on the perimeter and real centers like Hakeem, Ewing, Robinson, etc patrolling the paint. Kobe's highest FG% was 47%. Wade and Clyde are a push in my eyes. PG: Stockton and Paul would be a push. Magic wasn't at his peak anymore, but his ability to control an offense even then was better than Paul or Deron has been. But it's the mental game where there is no comparison. All of those guys on the dream team were mentally tough except Laettner and Robinson. Jordan was maniacal in ways Kobe only can try to emulate. MJ would sense the self-doubt in Lebron's eyes and just mentally dominate him. Stockton, Malone, and Barkley were just nasty, ornery players. Paul has a little of that, but not like Stockton--one of the dirtiest players ever. Bosh and Boozer at the PF position would be whimpering in a corner going up against Barkley and Malone. Ewing would make Howard his son and make him look like a forward not a center. The difference mentally is that no one except Kobe and maybe Paul would think they would have a chance to beat the Dream Team, but no one on the Dream Team would think they could lose to the Redeem Team. If you don't believe you can beat your opponent, you won't.
dwight howard in the era of the dream, robinson and ewing would be nothing more than a Kevin willis with longer arms. The dream team 2 would destroy these mofo's that could barely beat spain. basketball was not invented in the mid 2000s. =/
I agree, the extreme front court advantage of the Dream team is hard to ignore, but people's blind hatred for todays players grossly clouds people opinions. The competition level in 92 was laughable, only Drazen Petrovic had even experienced NBA level ball. Toni Kukoc would go on to become a very good NBA player, but he wasn't that great at the time. Bascially the entire spanish team has played in the league. Wade, LeBron, Kobe, and Chris Paul are all time greats. And Howard, Bosh, Williams are also elite players. Dream Team wins, but it's hardly the whitewashing some people claim.
That's great, but who are they better than on the Dream Team? Put both teams on the court and start picking the best players in order. It will be a while before you get done witht he Dream Team. Another thing to remember is, at 30 years old, they have as much tread worn off as current 26 year old NBA players, but with more highly developed skills and maturity.
