[lynchburgwildcats]

1992 team every game.

Just read the rule changes for defenders starting in 2009

In 1999, the league eliminated contact by a defender with his hands and forearms both in the backcourt and frontcourt, except on offensive players who caught the ball below the free throw line extended. Defenses were also prohibited from "re-routing" players off the ball. This freed up perimeter players who used screens to get open. Nor were defenders able any more to grab or impede offensive players setting screens. In 2001, the defensive three-second rule eliminated defenders camping out in the lane away from their offensive man to help.

I would love to see Lebron being guarded by Pippen and go to the lane with Barkley and Malone waiting. He would quit attacking the basket after 1 strong defensive front. While they have athleticism, the 2012 team did not have the basketball IQ, the talent, or kill mentality that the 1992 had and that alone is enough for me.

On the other hand, the 2012 players don't get to live in the era of illegal defense, which was a huge advantage for guys like Jordan because it often prevented double teams and obviously prevented zone defense.

[lynchburgwildcats]

Magic was still a solid player. Stockton was hobbled but healthy I'd still take them both over this years tandem, but it hurts to say b/c I LOVE D Williams. Even if/when they would get beat Magic and Stockton and some great defensive help.

Yes, but the 1992 DIDN'T have a healthy Stockton. To argue 92 vs. 2012, you have to use the facts at the time the team played. The only time that 1992 team existed was when Magic, Bird, and Stockton weren't hobbled. To argue 1992 vs. 2012, one has to use the facts at the time the team existed, not revisionist history to make the facts what you want them to be in a utopian world. And that means 1/4 of the 1992 team was severely limited in their playing capabilities, to argue otherwise is ignoring facts.

[Sly Fox]

If we knew then what we know now about HIV then '92 had no issues at PG.

Keep in mind that the stats from Barcelona are basically useless. The competition was o lopsided that guys Bird only played a few token minutes to keep themselves healthy for upcoming NBA season. If needed, Larry would have put up strong numbers. But when practically every game begins on a 20-2 run ...

[RubberMallet]

take away stockton and this fictitious "shell of a player" magic and the 2012 still has no chance. the pg position is overrated on a team full of super stars.

[lynchburgwildcats]

If we knew then what we know now about HIV then '92 had no issues at PG.

Keep in mind that the stats from Barcelona are basically useless. The competition was o lopsided that guys Bird only played a few token minutes to keep themselves healthy for upcoming NBA season. If needed, Larry would have put up strong numbers. But when practically every game begins on a 20-2 run ...

What upcoming season for Bird and Magic? Bird retired right eight days after they won the gold medal. Magic didn't play again until the 1995-96 season.

[Sly Fox]

I didn't recall the timing of his retirement. But Magic was still a baller. It just took a few years before the league felt it was safe for him to be out there playing. back then people worried that HIV might be transferred between players' perspiration.

[RubberMallet]

magic retired initially putting up 20/12/7 a game. chris paul and williams aren't there even in their aidsless prime. he was still very good and very much a top 10 nba player easily even though he sat out the 91-92 year.

[NotAJerry]

Dump the ball in to Robinson and Ewing, with the current defensive rules, and the 2012 team would foul out by halftime.

92 and I would expect them to run away with most games.

[thepostman]

The '92 team was better, but there is no way they would "run away with most games".

As great as that team was basketball around the world has risen in popularity since then and the talent level around the world is much better then it was in '92. Of course I still believe that the '92 team would beat this 2012 team, but run away with most games?? Not so much

[TIMSCAR20]

I think 92 was so much better than this year's team it isn't even funny. All this talk about a hobbled Magic are just wrong. He was maybe slightly out of shape but still better than almost every player on today's team. Sly is right about the HIV perspective. He probably should have still been in the league dominating at that time.

I'd take an injured stockton over Williams and Paul any day of the week. Plus Pippen could play point and you wouldn't miss a beat. If you don't think that is true then you didn't watch much of the 6 NBA titles they put up over the years in Chicago. They rarely had a true PG on the floor.

Center is not even worth the key strokes. 92 hands down. The discussion on PF was legit but I still say Barkley/Malone would just simply play harder and want it more than the PF's today.

I end this argument by saying that Brazil would get beat by 90 pts if the Dream team played them not 80-69!

[lynchburgwildcats]

I'd take an injured stockton over Williams and Paul any day of the week. Plus Pippen could play point and you wouldn't miss a beat. If you don't think that is true then you didn't watch much of the 6 NBA titles they put up over the years in Chicago. They rarely had a true PG on the floor.

I don't disagree with you on Pippen, but LeBron can play PG too, so the more talented LeBron will neutralize any advantage Pippen gives the 92 team by playing PG.

[Purple Haize]

I agree. LeBron and Pippen are similar players.

[olldflame]

1992 team every game.

Just read the rule changes for defenders starting in 2009

In 1999, the league eliminated contact by a defender with his hands and forearms both in the backcourt and frontcourt, except on offensive players who caught the ball below the free throw line extended. Defenses were also prohibited from "re-routing" players off the ball. This freed up perimeter players who used screens to get open. Nor were defenders able any more to grab or impede offensive players setting screens. In 2001, the defensive three-second rule eliminated defenders camping out in the lane away from their offensive man to help.

I would love to see Lebron being guarded by Pippen and go to the lane with Barkley and Malone waiting. He would quit attacking the basket after 1 strong defensive front. While they have athleticism, the 2012 team did not have the basketball IQ, the talent, or kill mentality that the 1992 had and that alone is enough for me.

On the other hand, the 2012 players don't get to live in the era of illegal defense, which was a huge advantage for guys like Jordan because it often prevented double teams and obviously prevented zone defense.

What do NBA rules have to do with Olympic basketball?

[lynchburgwildcats]

1992 team every game.

Just read the rule changes for defenders starting in 2009

In 1999, the league eliminated contact by a defender with his hands and forearms both in the backcourt and frontcourt, except on offensive players who caught the ball below the free throw line extended. Defenses were also prohibited from "re-routing" players off the ball. This freed up perimeter players who used screens to get open. Nor were defenders able any more to grab or impede offensive players setting screens. In 2001, the defensive three-second rule eliminated defenders camping out in the lane away from their offensive man to help.

I would love to see Lebron being guarded by Pippen and go to the lane with Barkley and Malone waiting. He would quit attacking the basket after 1 strong defensive front. While they have athleticism, the 2012 team did not have the basketball IQ, the talent, or kill mentality that the 1992 had and that alone is enough for me.

On the other hand, the 2012 players don't get to live in the era of illegal defense, which was a huge advantage for guys like Jordan because it often prevented double teams and obviously prevented zone defense.

What do NBA rules have to do with Olympic basketball?

Because the original post I quoted was talking about NBA rules.

[TIMSCAR20]

I think this year's team better concentrate on winning the gold and not worry about hypotheticals. They seem to have some weaknesses that are being exposed right now. Far from a foregone conclusion that gold will be won by the USA this year. Man I really hope we get it together soon.

[Sly Fox]

Word. I would suggest that winning gold is around a 50/50 chance at this stage.

[thepostman]

50/50?? not quite...is there a chance they don't win gold? Yes...but I wouldn't call it 50/50...geez.

[Sly Fox]

Unless they can find a way to play team ball, they will get beat in the medal round based on what I saw last night.

[thepostman]

from what I have seen they will be fine compared to the other teams. They aren't perfect that is for sure but to say their shot at gold is 50/50 is way off in my opinion.

[Sly Fox]

The team plays like this is an NBA All-Star Game. That is a recipe for disaster unless corrected soon.

[thepostman]

I agree, they do and that has to change but 4 years ago they were doing the same thing during the exhibition portion. I don't see any difference between this team and the team from 4 years ago.

[blwall1416]

Saw this posted. Made a lot of sense.

Against Argentina, USA took 34 3-point shots vs 30 2-point shots. Interior players Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler? 0 shots attempted, 0 points scored.

Way to go, K. You have our national team playing just like dook. Hope the "live by the three, die by the three" approach doesn't bite us in the butt in the medal round.

[R i]

Save it for the Birds Wall.

3 >2

[Purple Haize]

Saw this posted. Made a lot of sense.

Against Argentina, USA took 34 3-point shots vs 30 2-point shots. Interior players Kevin Love and Tyson Chandler? 0 shots attempted, 0 points scored.

Way to go, K. You have our national team playing just like dook. Hope the "live by the three, die by the three" approach doesn't bite us in the butt in the medal round.

That's because Dukes last great big man was Cherokee Parks!

[Purple Haize]

Ha. He was on the wing. Now had you gone Alaa Abdelnabi....