Redeem Team
2008 Redeem Team vs. 1992 Dream Team
Submitted by Michael_DeStefano on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 2:29pm.
The comparisons started before the Olympics and have only heated up since Kobe & Co. brought the gold back where it belongs.
How does the Redeem Team compare to the Dream Team of 1992? Who would win head-to-head? Many look at that USA Roster that played in Barcelona and immediately dismiss these questions as stupid, but it'd be a better match-up than you think.
On Paper:
| Redeem Team |
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Collectively, they have 116 All-Star Appearances; 56 All-NBA First Teams; 15 MVPs; and 23 NBA Titles. The Redeem Team does not come close to this.
Not yet.
The most important thing to remember here is that the Dream Team had an average age of 29. To put that in perspective, Kobe Bryant at 29 years old was the second oldest player on the 2008 Team's roster. The Redeem Team has six players 24 years old or younger. Bryant aside, the most important players on this team are entering their sixth year or younger. Whereas most of the players on the Dream Team were at the end of their careers or just entering their physical primes, no one on the Dream Team has tapped the surface of their potential except for Bryant and Kidd, who are Hall-of-Famers already.
 Kobe Bryant |
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As of now, the Redeem Team has a collective 35 All-Star appearances; 15 First Teams; 1 MVP; and 5 NBA Titles. While Kidd is on his last legs, the rest of this team will have plenty of time to add to these numbers.
On The Court:
It's easy to look at a roster of guys that are already in the Hall-of-Fame and say that they are better than guys who still have a lot of career left.
But let's compare them as they were when standing on that stage accepting their gold medals.
(Note: In 1992, most of the Dream Team were hitting the end of their physical primes. They had some physical drawbacks that don't show up on paper along with names and accolades. Magic Johnson had already retired, Larry Bird's back was shot, and John Stockton was injured as well.)
Athleticism: The Dream Team had some incredible athletes (Jordan, Drexler, Pippen, and Robinson), but they cannot run with the Redeem Team. This is where 2008's youth will benefit them. Bird, Mullin, Laettner, Stockton (injured), Magic, and Ewing could never hope to run with this team, so their minutes would have to be limited. Furthermore, no one on the Dream Team possessed the combination of size, strength, speed, and agility that LeBron does. He would be a nightmare for them.
Advantage: Redeem Team
Perimeter: Jordan is the best player of all-time; he wins a match-up against any player on the Redeem Team. Kidd at 35 vs. an injured John Stockton is a wash. After that, it's hard not to give the advantage to 2008. As mentioned above, LeBron would give every perimeter player on the Dream Team fits. And with the way Dwyane Wade looked in these Games, it's not unreasonable to think that he'd be an impossible guard for the older guards and wings trying to match up with him. Neither Bird nor Magic could defend anyone opposing them except for Redd or Prince (and they wouldn't play in this game, so it wouldn't matter). Paul and Williams would give two very different looks at the point.
 Dwyane Wade |
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Frontcourt: Barkley, Malone, Ewing, and Robinson vs. Howard, Bosh, and Boozer. It's not close.
Advantage: Dream Team
Half-court Offense: It might be that the Redeem Team didn't have to play in the half-court all that much, but they lacked the shooting and post play to be as effective as the Dream Team in this area. The question is whether or not they would allow the pace of the game to slow down and let the Dream Team play this style of basketball.
Advantage: Dream Team
Chemistry: With such a collection of veteran superstars, the Dream Team didn't need much chemistry to succeed against such inferior competition. But against the Redeem Team? This 2008 squad has been playing together for three years and has gotten to know each other much better than the Dream Team did. In a game between these two teams, chemistry would be a huge concern.
Advantage: Redeem Team
International Experience: It truly is a different brand of basketball when played under FIBA rules. The fact that these guys have been getting to know the international rules over the past few years gives them an advantage. Furthermore, the level of competition is much higher overseas than it was when the Dream Team was winning by 40 every game. According to NBA.com, these Olympics featured 42 NBA Players (including drafted players that have yet to come over); in 1992, there were less than ten. The Redeem Team faced more NBA talent in one game against Spain than the Dream Team did in the entire Olympics. More international experience + better international competition =
Advantage: Redeem Team
Conclusion: The Dream Team is still the best team ever assembled on paper, but that is all in hindsight. That is strictly looking at the names on a page and taking into account what those players did over the course of their entire careers. This 2008 US Olympic team is very young and, by the time their all done, they will probably have similar statistical accomplishments and accolades. On the court, the older Dream Team would have a very difficult time matching the youth, energy, and athleticism of the Redeem Team. The young guards of 2008 would give the elder statesmen of 1992 a great deal of trouble. Finally, don't let the statistics fool you: If you put the Dream Team's performance in Barcelona side-by-side with the Redeem Team's Beijing campaign, the Dream Team is better in every team statistical category, but it is against much worse competition. The game has changed a great deal over the years, and this 2008 team is simply better suited to win.
Counter Arguement: Dream Team
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