Dream Team vs. 2012 Team

Magic, Jordan, Barkley, Malone, Robinson vs. CP3, Kobe, Durant, Lebron, Chandler... who wins?

                                  Dream Team                           2012 Team                                Advantage

Point Guards:            Magic, Stockton                  CP3, D-Will, Westbrook          Dream Team-

                                                                                                                 Johnson is best point guard              

                                                                                                                        of all time, hard to
                                                                                                                         argue with that
Shooting Guard:    Jordan, Drexler, Pippen               Kobe, Harden                     Dream Team- 

                                                                                                                  2 words...Michael Jordan

Small Forwards:   Bird, Barkley, Mullin      Melo, Lebron, Durant, Igoudala            2012 Team-

                                                                                                                      Most stacked position for

                                                                                                                       this year's Olympic team 

Power Forwards:    Malone, Laettner                       Love, Griffin                         Dream Team-

                                                                                                             Weakest spot for each team 

                                                                                                            but Dream Team anchored by

                                                                                                                             Malone 

Centers:              Ewing, D. Robinson          Chandler (....Wait really?!)                Dream Team-

                                                                                                                 Had Howard and Bynum 

                                                                                                           been healthy, 2012 Team would  

                                                                                                                have the advantage  

The Dream Team dominates these comparisons, and talent wise they are on another level. The Dream Team pride themselves on team chemistry, something the recent Olympic teams haven't had. The 2012 Team is based on pure athleticism, they are long and versatile. Out of the Small Forwards on the 2012 Team, 3 of them can play in the post. Looking at the 2012 Team's big men, it is almost laughable. There are a ton of talented big men in the NBA, but they are hurt. Griffin and Harden normally wouldn't be on the team because those spots should be occupied by Dwight Howard and D-Wade. Bynum could have possibly taken Chandler's spot and Bosh would have taken Love's spot. You insert Bynum and Howard at center, the USA team now has a massive advantage at the 5 spot. You put Bosh and Lamarcus Aldridge at Power Forward and suddenly you have a real debate going between who has the better 4's. I have heard Coach K will be starting Lebron at Power Forward and Durant at the 3, and I love that decision. Talent wise, no one could match the dream team and still today no one can really match this Olympic team. Although, Spain and Canada are getting a lot better quickly. I don't agree with Kobe's argument that this year's team could beat the Dream Team. The real problem with the 2012 Team is lack of chemistry and too many ego's. Plus, I hope James Harden doesn't feel like he has a locked spot for future competitions with this team, because there are plenty of better players out there that Coach K could have chosen. But hey, never question the great Coach K! The Dream Team still is the best basketball team ever assembled and no way this year's team would win.