Dream Team

Height (Feet)
7-2
7-0
6-10
6-8
6-6
6-4
Dream Team
Robinson
USA Olympic Basketball
Ewing
Davis
Laettner
Love
Basketball has been one of the sports that USA is able to dominate in during the
Olympics. Though we dominate in basketball, we did not always play the game with NBA
players, back before 1992, Olympic basketball players were picked out from colleges.
In 1992, players from the NBA began playing for the USA in the Olympic games. This
team was deemed, “The Dream Team”. The Dream Team was built up of players who are
now hall of famers. Many did not believe that the team would play well together when it
originally started—star struck team. Proving everyone wrong, the 1992 Dream team was
able to excel in all levels and bring home the gold. In 2012, another star struck team was
formed. These players were often compared to the 1992 dream team with arguments of
who would beat who if the 1992 Dream Team was still in their prime.
Malone
Durant
Bird
Johnson
James
Carmelo
Drexler
Mullin
Harden
Barkley
Jordan
Pippen
This chart shows the height versus the wingspan of each player from
the 1992 and 2012 Dream Team. Player’s weight would have been
taken into account, but their weights are so close that the difference
is barely shown. Wingspan affects players ability to a great deal,
with a large wingspan, players have greater defense. They are able
to steal, block, and pass the ball better. The height also takes into
account for what position they are able to play, as well as their ability
to shoot and block. Looking at the chart, we notice that in 2012, we
lack real big men. Big men are essential in playing against opponents in basketball, without big men, certain plays cannot be used
and often times, defense goes down.
Iguodala
Bryant
Westbrook
Williams
6-2
Stockton
6-0
Chandler
Paul
6-2
6.5
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7-2
)
“Black Mamba” Nicknamed because when he plays, his
strike is deadly. Kobe is one of the most intense players
and due to his aggressiveness & competiveness he is
frequently compared to Jordan. Both players played the
shooting guard position and were always the go to guy
during clutch moments.
LeBron James
Age: 27
“King James” Nicknamed because everyone wants and
will accommodate in any way to get him. He is a small
forward who is strong & athletic. Barkley and Lebron compare due to their ability to score, rebound, and pass the
ball. Though both versatile, Barkley is more aggressive to
score, while Lebron is a more willing passer.
Kevin Durant
Age: 23
“Durantula” Given because of his length. Durant and Bird
are both competitive players who also have strong work
ethics that are contagious to their teams. They are also
both sharp shooters, rebounders, and great at fast breaks.
Durant is a young rising super star of this era and continues to excel in every skill.
Chris Paul
Age: 27
“CP3” Nickname was given due to his initials and jersey
number. Though Paul and Johnson’s size difference is
huge and seemingly unfair, they both have crafty ball handling and excellent passing abilities. Paul has the ability
to find his way down a lane and score, while also being a
sneaky defender.
Tyson CHandler
Age: 30
Chandler compares with David Robinson due to their
defensive abilities and their big body types. Although
Chandler does not get many blocks, his presence is
always there to change a player’s shot. Chandler is not
necessarily a scorer, but he currently holds the NBA’s top
field goal percentage.
Carmelo Anthony
Age: 28
“Melo” Anthony typically plays the small forward position
while Malone is strictly a power forward. Though differing in position and play style, both are proficient scorers.
Malone is an ideal pick and roll big man while Anthony
functions better with a isolated offense. Both players
contain the innate ability to get to the free throw line.
Kevin Love
Age: 23
Love compares to Ewing because they are both big men
of the paint. Ewing is a dominant defensive center while
Love is typically a power forward. Though both strong
rebounders and comfortable in the paint, Kevin Love is a
stretch four who can step outside an arc and drain three
pointers for you.
Russell Westbrook
Age: 22
Though Westbrook and Drexler play different positions,
they were both extremely athletic and were able to get to
the rim. Both players were not known for outside shooting
but quickly developed one during their NBA career.
Westbrook is one of the fastest and durable players in
current NBA.
Andre Iguodala
Age: 28
“Iggy” Iguodala is a guard/forward while Pippen played
forward, but both were essential to their teams. Though
different positions, Iguodala and Pippen compare due to
their versatility. They were not known for their offensive
ability, but instead, known for their lock-down
defensive ability.
Deron WIlliams
Age: 28
Williams compares to Stockton beacuse they are point
guards. When Williams started out, people believed that
he was going to be the next Stockton, but better. He was
able to slash to the basket and finish strong. He was also
able to facilitate his team, and score for another. Like
Stockton, Williams ran a two-man pick and role.
James Harden
Age: 22
Harden and Mullin are both shooters, but Harden is considered a stronger finisher. This is due to his ability to drive
in and draw contact to get to the free throw line. Both
players were able to shoot with their left hands, but Mullin
was able to shoot with both. Though Mullin was a spot up
shooter, Harden is considered a more rounded player.
Anthony Davis
Age: 19
Davis and Laettner compare due to their power forward
positions and being the only college player selected to
play in the Olympics. Although, their skill sets are completely different, Laettner was more of an offensive player,
while Davis was more of a defensive player and holds the
block record for freshmen in the NCAA.
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Age: 34
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Laettner was the only player from the 1992 Dream Team
who did not end up in the Hall of Fame. He held the record for most points scored, free throws made, and most
games played in the NCAA. He became known for his
last-second, back-to-the-basket, turn-around, game-winning jump shot in a Duke versus Kentucky game.
PT
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Christian Laettner
Age: 22
RB
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RB
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Mullin played as a shooting guard and small forward in the
NBA. Mullin established himself as a versatile player in the
NBA, but before that he was in rehab because of a drinking problem. After rehab, Mullin became a fitness freak for
led the league in minutes played. Even with injuries, Mullin
continued to push through and help his team.
AS
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CHris Mullin
Age: 29
ST
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“Stock” Played with Malone and practically made each
other. They were the quintessential pick and roll duo.
Stockton became one of the best point guards of all time.
He currently holds the NBA record for most career assist
and steals by considerable margins. Stockton had good
work ethic and was also considered durable.
K
100
TO
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John Stockton
Age: 30
BL
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“Pip” Pippen played along side Jordan and was considered one of NBA’s best small forwards of all time. He
is known as one of NBA’s best defenders, he had great
on-ball and perimeter defense. Pippen was versatile and
agile; he also had long arms and jumping agility. These
allowed him to easily block players.
TO
V
60
TO
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150
AS
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Scottie Pippen
Age: 26
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“Clyde the Glide” Played as a shooting guard and small
forward. He became one of NBA’s all-time great guards.
Drexler was known for his ability to get under the rim. He
was able to easily get to the net with seemingly effortless
swoops to the basket. After a while in the NBA, he
became better at his shooting from a distant range.
PT
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Clyde Drexler
Age: 30
RB
20
RB
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Ewing is a Jamaican-American basketball player who
played the center position for the New York Knicks. Ewing
became one of the best center shooters to play in the
NBA and is the Knick’s all-time leader in scoring, rebounding, blocks, and steals. He was always relentless when he
was trying to pursue the NBA championships.
AS
T
50
BL
Patrick Ewing
Age: 30
ST
L
20
TO
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“The Mailman” Power forward, received his nickname because he always delivered during clutch moments. Malone
was known to have one of the greatest physiques in NBA,
missing only 5 games in his first 13 years. Malone currently holds the second most career points in NBA history and
the record for the most free throws attempted and made.
40
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Karl Malone
Age: 29
100
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“The Admiral” Robinson received his nickname because
he spent his college days at the U.S. Naval Academy. He
also took two years off his NBA career to fulfill his service
obligations. Robinson became one of the greatest centers
in NBA history as a highly defensive player. Later, he received the nickname The Twin Towers” with Tim Duncan.
60
Averages
100
ST
L
David Robinson
Age: 27
Totals
40
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“Magic Johnson” Named Magic because his passes were
like magic, he always seemed to have excellent court
vision. Magic became one of NBA’s all-time greatest passers. Magic ended his career early due to the controversial
fight against HIV. Magic had a friendly rivalry against Larry
Bird, due to the constant bump in at the NBA finals.
BL
Earvin Johnson
Age: 32
K
TO
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“Kodak” He received his nickname because he seemed to
formulate mental pictures of every play that took place on
the court. Bird played as a small forward and power forward and was considered one of the greatest all-around
players in basketball history. He was great at scoring,
passing, rebounding, and defending.
Totals
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100
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Larry Bird
Age: 35
‘12
7-0
tough enough to beat the 1992 hall of famers? The players of 2012
are younger and are still developing their skills. Throughout their development, these young players are often compared to players from
the 1992 Dream team—by skills and position.
40
als
“The Round Mound of Rebound” Barkley is known as one
of NBA’s most dominating power forwards. Though he
was considered small for his position, he was able to use
his strength and aggressiveness to become one of NBA’s
most dominant rebounders. Along with rebounds, he had
the ability to score, create plays, and defend.
VS
6-10
150
Averages
Ste
Charles Barkley
Age: 29
7.0THE 2012 “DREAM TEAM” consists of rising stars, but are they
6-8
150
60
“Air Jordan” Jordan received his nickname due to his
dunking ability; he seemed to hang in the air longer then
anyone else could. Along with his dunks, he was also
known as one of the most defensive players in basketball.
Jordan is one of the most well known basketball players in
the NBA and even has shoes named after him.
6-6
‘92
THE 1992 DREAM TEAM is the original dream team that occurred.
They were the first Olympic team that was formed out of NBA player.
11 out of 12 players from the 1992 dream team retired from the NBA
and ended up in the Hall of Fame. Players from the 1992 team created many of the moves and skills that are seen in today’s basketball.
Michael Jordan
Age: 29
Sources: Basketball Reference, NBA
BASKETBALL
6-4
s(
6.0
6-0
Dana Lui | SFSU Design & Industry | Dai 523 - Professor Trogu | Final Project | Fall 2012