Dream Team vs. Redeem Team

Welcome to one of the greatest match-ups in Basketball history, 1992 Dream Team vs. 2008 Redeem Team.

Most of us would agree that Dream Team would win this game, no contest. That is, if you grew up watching the "old school" legends of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird. However, the new school cats who need more evidence and have been watching the likes of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwayne Wade will beg to differ. I don't blame them, I mean...think about it. The 6 players just mentioned are Big Time players.

The fact of the matter is, this match up is still being talked about, therefore, it needs to be addressed once and for all. I do admit, however, that it is fun to compare and play out the match ups but only because I'm a fan of the Dream Team and they have the better chance of winning. Personally, saying that the Redeem Team has a chance or even winning is like a male masseuse giving me a massage, just doesn't feel right.

One last thing before we move forward, allow me to introduce one of my partners in crime....a well versed and seasoned basketball guru, and one of my good friends; Mr. Steven Stein aka Stein on Sports (SOS)!

We've always talked shop, played ball together, and talked more shop. This man loves the game but more importantly, knows his stuff. Mr. Stein is the one responsible for this feature. Like Ali G would say....Respeck!


So SOS and I were on this topic deciding on choosing sides and creating arguments about who would win and why. The results are interesting, maybe even surprising to some. Let's see how it goes down....

*All players are evaluated on their talents at the time of their Olympic run

Dream Team
Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, David Robinson, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Christian Laettner (Coach: Chuck Daly)


Redeem Team
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Jason Kidd, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd, Deron Williams (Coach: Mike Krzyzewski)



Jordan vs Kobe
SOS: Kobe doesn't sniff the ball with MJ guarding him and Daly telling him that its time for some playoff atmosphere intensity. Kobe gets a few break aways off of turnovers from the bigs, but Air Jordan drains the easy international three as an answer every time.

DShu: Jordan just won his first championship or two so he's healthy and hungry. Still young and athletic, his second nickname comes from being defensive stopper which is the Glove (not Gary Payton). Kobe gets shut down because Jordan makes sure of it by getting physical and take him to school on offense, by not only hitting jump shots but by attacking the basket, posting up, and playing the passing lane on D to get his trademark Air Jordan dunks that ignites the crowd. Kobe will be frustrated and in foul trouble since he tries to force the issue.

Winner: Jordan (in depth comparison- click here)


Magic vs Kidd
SS: Tough Tough match up. JKidd is there for his intangibles and he makes everyone else on the court better when he steps on the court. Magic is there b/c he's a 6'9" point guard who makes everyone on the court better. J Kidd never lost a game in all of his Olympics that has to count for something. Magic lost his bid at the Olympics in the 70's over politics and that has to count for something. '92 would be the last time we would see the real Ervin "Magic' Johnson play ball and get some burn so he gets my vote in this match up.


DShu: JKidd's game is influenced by Magic and by this time, Johnson comes in as 5-time Champion and seasoned vet that will take Kidd to school. Whether it's the NBA Finals, All-Star Game, or Charity Event, Magic still thrives in the limelight. Kidd might get a play or two in but it's Magic's show especially with the talent around him and high flyers that fill the lane. Kidd is a smart player but the key to this match up is that Magic still has his legs and always looks to trick his opponent with the desire to win.


Winner: Magic


Bird vs 'Melo
SOS: Melo eats up Larry Legend in this contest. Melo's game may be better suited for international play than the NBA game and he really seems to enjoy it. This guy looks completely underrated in the Olympics and completely overrated on any Sunday NBA telecast on ABC. Melo can board, run, shoot, and dribble well enough to put up Big O (Oscar Robertson) type numbers in the Olympics. I take Melo in a runaway on this contest.

DShu: On paper, that's what it looks like. Melo is much more athletic and gifted but that's been the story of Bird's life. Too slow, can't jump, not athletic. Once again, Bird will prove to the world that the 3-time NBA Champ knows how to neutralize the (or any) athletic specimen and play the game from above the shoulders. Larry Legend won't have to try to create space to get open on the perimeter, he'll simply go down to the low block and hold his seal....get the ball and do whatever he wants with shot fakes or pass fakes. On defense, Melo looks like he can get past Bird easily but with Jordan and Pippen helpside, and a 7 footer in the paint it's a different story. Bird will play him tight and force Melo into bad shots and keep his position to rebound. Melo will go for Bird's shot fakes and try to jump over the back on an offensive rebound which earns him up quick fouls and an early seat to the bench.


Winner: Bird


Ewing vs Howard
SOS: Knick fan through and through and #33 or #6 as it was in '92, is the man. Dwight Howard is good, but he's a boy in '08 compared to the beast that Patrick is in '92. A well conditioned big man with a solid "J" he takes the kid outside and abuses him and then cleans up inside.


DShu: Individually, Howard is the better athlete but the experience and supporting cast around Ewing makes the difference here. Superman might get a dunk or two with put backs or getting out on the break but Ewing aka Keith Sweat look-a-like will use him in the post and outside.

Winner: Ewing


Malone vs Boozer (b/c they both play in Utah)
SOS: Is this really a conversation. The Mailman delivers.

DShu: Yes, Boozer will once again disappear when he's most needed. Malone will punish this kid and teach him what toughness is all about. Boozer doesn't even touch the paint or sniff the ball.

Winner: Mailman


Barkley vs Prince
SOS: Who on this team can guard Barkley? Who on this team can guard Prince, anyone really. Pippen would silence this kid. Drexler would own him. Jordan, come on....stop playing. The Round Mound of Rebound wouldn't even have to play D, the fierce Chuck of '92 would elbow this stick into the third row and the rest of the game he'd be a ghost, lets just call him Casper.

DShu: Enough said! P.S. Barkley has a flashback and thinks Tayshaun is a light skinned version of an Angola player and gives him an elbow again. (video below)

Winner: Barkley


Stockton vs Williams
SOS: (See Boozer and the Mailman) The prototypical point guard gets it done. John Stockton hikes up his high shorts gets by with a few "dirty" moves (I'd say he's crafty). Williams comes down the lane and sets up his big guys, but those mismatches down low hurt him. He can overpower Stockton in the lane, but the help D from Chuck and The Admiral makes Williams a little gun shy to drive the lane. This is old school vs new school for sure and old school and his tube socks will get the edge in my book.


DShu: Stockton is just too tough and crafty. The All time NBA leader in assists and steals will outsmart Williams just like Derek Fisher did him in the 2008 Playoffs. Stockton doesn't waste a dribble and will have an easy time showing the new guys how to run the pick and roll with Malone.

Winner: Stockton

Robinson vs Bosh
SOS: Chris Bosh is a solid player, but is he a BIG MAN, a FIVE? or is he a PF? What is David Robinson? He is an all time Top 50 Player. MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and an NBA Champion. Chris Bosh is on the cusp of making his name in the game and he is solid, but the Admiral of '92 is injury free and he runs like Usain Bolt in the 100 meters, blocks shots like Mark Eaton, and rebounds like Rodman. Navy all the way in my book.
Side note, it is a crime that Chris Bosh doesn't get more credit he is definitely getting the short end of the media stick b/c he plays in Toronto. If this guys was in Philly or Detroit he'd be everywhere.

DSHU: I like Bosh and I almost want Bosh to win in this match up but The Admiral is just too good of a defender to lose. Robinson is agile enough to guard players outside of the paint and he's never been dominated by a big man in the key with the exception of Shaq and Hakeem the Dream. Bosh will put up a fight but Robinson will be able to use his agility and strength to score.

Winner: Robinson


Pippen vs LBJ
SOS: This combo scares me in so many ways. Pippen is the ultimate glue guy; will he D up YES, will he hit the open man and make the extra pass YES, will he create scary mismatches YES. Will he get a migraine in crunch time YES. LBJ is riDICKulous. The man has Karl Malone's body and a saavy 2 guards game, minus the consistent J. Will he D up SURE. Will he make the extra pass and hit the open man Sho' Nuff. Will he create scary mismatches YES. Who wins this match up? LeBron's outside J is suspect, but his size is so difficult for "The Nose" to deal with.


DShu: I like this match up! We all know that LeBron can finish on the fly, literally but there won't be too many fast break opportunities do to the tempo control by Dream Team. Pippen's defensive awareness will dictate what Lebron does on offense. Basically, sit 3 feet back, contain and dare James to shoot. We all saw what Bruce Bowen did to Lebron in the 2007 NBA Finals and Pippen is a better defender than Bowen. Pippen doesn't have to score on offense but can finish on the break as well. Also, not afraid to shoot the 3. Won't need to, just create havoc on D. LeBron will force the issue and maybe get to the free throw line but don't look for him to take over the game.


Winner: PUSH


Drexler vs Wade
SOS: Clyde Drexler was a last minute addition to the Dream Team. Which is a ridiculous statement to make and it speaks volumes about the talent on this team. You would take him over Redd in '08, no? But sadly he is matched up with Dwayne Wade. Flash had to be on this team. This guy is scary good. He hits the floor a little too much for me, I think that makes him more likely to get an injury. He gets the fade away on Clyde in the matchup and picks his pocket a few times for some sweet Phi Slamma Jammas!!!!!


DShu: The Glide and Flash. I'm going to take DWade on this just for the simple fact that he was the best player on the Redeem Team. His speed and awareness can get him anywhere on the court. Clyde can be a bit too predictable at times especially when he puts his head down and goes right handed. Wade is not to cool or pretty to take a charge, which makes him harder, better, faster, stronger.


Winner: Wade


Laettner vs Paul
SOS: Christian Laettner had so much promise. In '92 he was coming off of a stellar college career at DUKE and he needed to be added to this team. Who knew that his Dream Team experience would be a foreshadowing of his NBA career. In a word underwhelming. Chris Paul is Zeke 2.0 and that would be the better match up here, but MJ blackballed him and he didn't get the call. CP3 might even be able to post up Laettner for the 30 seconds he's on the court. Paul runs away with this in my book.


DShu: Laettner doesn't get any run until the last 3:00 minutes when Dream Team vets are coming off the floor to standing ovations. Chris Paul and John Stockton would be a better match up since CP3 is a tough and crafty, and sometimes dirty player on defense. Stockton would not be able to stay in front of Paul at all times but would slow him down by taking a charge or two. However, Paul is coming into his own and Stockton off a broken leg so CP3 in a close one.

Winner: Paul


Mullin vs Redd
SOS: Michael Redd is on the Olympic team? That is impressive for a 2nd rounder and probably a bit of a moral victory in some way. Michael Redd is a very good shooter and in fairnes he plays in Milwaukee which might as well be Vancouver. When was the last time they were on ABC? I'm guessing Glenn Robinson was sporting some high socks and Vin Baker the ol' drunk was a good basketball player. Who hasn't heard the stories about Mully taking guys into the stands to play horse after practice? Mullin and an international 3 is the equivalent of sending Robert Traylor and Eddie Curry to an all you can eat buffet at Sizzler. Its just too easy. Combine the easy 3 and the space created by the HOF (Hall of Fame) line up and this guy could outscore Angola by himself.

DShu: I like Michael Redd. He comes equipped with a nice stroke from deep. He's also in a small club of players to ever drop 50 in a game. He also bought his mom a Church when he got laced. I respect that. But when it comes to prime time, zone busting, 3 ball scoring....gotta go with former alcoholic, game time drunk Chris Mullin. Even though he never had a nickname or won an NBA championship, he was the closest thing (shooter-wise) to Larry Legend. He's easily the best shooter on the Golden State Warriors, today.


Winner: Mullin


Daly vs Coach K
SOS: What do you need more for this game a manager of personalities or basketball genius and tactician? Daly plays his players almost as well as the Zen Master, he knows how to get in their heads and make them do it. Come on this guy took Kenny Anderson and D. Coleman to the playoffs (Playoffs, did you say Playoffs?!).

Coach K is a flat out genius and his coaching and getting the '08 team to buy into the "experience" is another great stroke of genius. We're all very lucky to have the opportunity to watch him coach, he gets my vote every time.

DShu: Wow, you talk about a match up! Best of two different world's here....Daly represents old school, Coach K new. However, Coach K does come from deep, old school roots in learning from Bob Knight. The difference is College and NBA. Coach K is a master motivator and will keep the best line up on the floor for Redeem Team. Daly will go old school and tell Dream Team to play physical...Bill Laimbeer physical if needed. After all , he did invent the Jordan Rules. Coach K's heart and passion are in the right place but Dream Team wins out because of talent and experience from it's players. In addition, Daly tells them the same thing he told them in Barcelona. "If we don't win, we can't go home."


Winner: Push

Game Summary:
Dream Team 108 Redeem Team 76
Jordan 26 pts, 6 Rbs, 4 Asts, 5 Stls
Johnson 10 pts, 12 rbs, 14 Asts
Barkely 28 pts, 15 Rbs
Bird 4-6 (3pters)

Bryant 10 Pts 2-10 FG 6-6 FT 4 TO's 3 PF's
LBJ 23 Pts 8-14 FG 7-10 FT 8 RB's 4 Assts
Bosh 0-4 FG, 1 RB, 7 TO's

Which makes us ponder the next question, who wins this match-up in an NBA style 7 game series??

Redeem Team's best highlight and Olympic moment-


Dream Team: Top 10 plays don't do justice so I found actual footage against Angola. Yes, they are soft but watch the defense make everything happen. It's not just pressure defense on everyone, they know their personnel so they don't over pursue. Also watch Barkley do like Ludicris and Throw Dem Bows at the 3:20 minute mark. He's out to punk Angola and absolutely punishes this team.


I rest my case!
SOS, big shout out to you for making this happen! Jack your slacks and pop that colla!