Few things in sports are considered absolute truths: Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan are the greatest ever in their sports, Joe Montana is the best big game Quarterback in NFL history, Barry Bonds took something, and the Dream Team is the most dominant group of players ever assembled on a basketball court. Rarely have any of those so-called “truths” been challenged – it is almost blasphemous to argue the contrary. But, with Team USA looking every bit as dominant as the team that steamrolled their way through the 1992 Barcelona Games, it is at least worth an examination. Who is the better team: the Dream Team or the Redeem Team?
Dream Team or Redeem Team? Let the debate begin!
THE ROSTERS
Dream Team Age Drafted/Yrs Measurements
F Charles Barkley* 29 1984/8 6’6, 250
F Larry Bird 35 1978/13 6’9, 220
F Karl Malone* 29 1985/7 6’9, 256
F Chris Mullin* 29 1985/7 6’7, 215
F Christian Laettner 23 1992/R 6’11, 235
C Patrick Ewing* 30 1985/7 7’0, 240
C David Robinson 27 1987/3 7’1, 235
G Michael Jordan* 29 1984/8 6’6, 198
G Magic Johnson 33 1979/13 6’9, 220
G Clyde Drexler 30 1984/8 6’7, 222
G John Stockton 30 1984/8 6’1, 175
G/F Scottie Pippen* 26 1987/5 6’7, 210 Average Age: 29.1 years Average NBA Experience: 7.25 seasons
Redeem Team Age Drafted/Yrs Measurements
F Carmelo Anthony* 24 2003/5 6’8, 235
F Carlos Boozer* 26 2002/6 6’9, 258
F Chris Bosh* 24 2003/5 6’10, 230
F LeBron James* 23 2003/5 6’8, 240
F Tayshaun Prince* 28 2002/6 6’9, 205
C Dwight Howard* 22 2004/4 6’11, 265
G Kobe Bryant* 30 1996/12 6’6, 220
G Jason Kidd 35 1994/14 6’4, 210
G Chris Paul 23 2005/3 6’0, 170
G Michael Redd* 29 2000/8 6’6, 215
G Deron Williams 24 2005/3 6’3, 205
G Dwyane Wade* 26 2003/5 6'4, 212
Average Age: 26 Average Experience: 6.33 seasons
As you can see, the Redeem Team is much younger (by over three years) than the average age of the Dream Team. Yet, despite this age gap, they trail by just one season in the NBA experience category to the veteran Dream Team. Much of this is due to the fact that LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, and Dwight Howard all skipped college.
The players that have a * next to their name are players which I deemed as either being in their prime, or just about to enter their prime. I disqualified any players that have less than four years of NBA experience (David Robinson, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and Christian Laettner. Some of the players are hard to classify, especially on the Dream Team. I think John Stockton entered the prime of his career late, because of his success with the late 90's Utah Jazz teams. Clyde Drexler had just lost to Jordan's Bulls in the 1992 NBA Finals, and he was exiting his prime. He averaged 25 ppg in '91-92, then dropped to just 19.2 ppg for the '92-93 season. Larry Bird was well past his prime, and could barely contribute because of back problems. Magic, though effective, was also past his prime. The only player past his prime on the Redeem Team is Jason Kidd. Every other player on the '08 team is either in their prime (Kobe, Tayshaun Prince) or just scratching the surface (LeBron, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, even CP3).
THE MATCHUPS
NOTE: I am ignoring the actual starters and putting the best player at each position on the floor for each team. Like I said above Larry Bird was well past his prime and was more of a ceremonious starter than anything else. Ditto for Jason Kidd, who is third best point guard on the team.
Point Guard – Magic Johnson vs. LeBron James
I can’t even sit still thinking about how awesome this potential matchup would be. Magic, the first freak of nature as a 6’9 point guard, and LeBron James, a physical specimen himself, going head –to-head at the point guard spot. Unlike Magic, LeBron isn’t a true point. I just put him here because I believe it helps the Redeem Team put their best five on the floor. Magic would've been crafty enough to get the better of this matchup, but he was past his prime at 33 and about to exit the NBA. Meanwhile, LeBron has yet to win an NBA Championship, but there’s no doubt he’s just scratching the surface of his immeasurable potential.
EDGE: Slight to the Redeem Team - I usually go with the true point in this scenario, but I’ll give the slight edge to LeBron because of his ability to take over a game. Plus, a 33-year old Magic guarding LeBron would be a colossal mismatch.
Shooting Guard – Michael Jordan vs. Kobe Bryant
As great as Kobe is, there has never been and maybe will never be a greater basketball player than Michael Jordan in 1992. The 1992 and 1993 seasons were the absolute pinnacle of Michael’s career. He had developed his lethal jump shot, he was at his physical peak, he was a lockdown defender, and he had fine-tuned his skills as a playmaker. EDGE: Ungodly margin towards the Dream Team - No offense to Kobe, who is a great player in his own right. But comparing Bryant to the 1992 version of Jordan is like comparing The Godfather to Goodfellas. Both are outstanding flicks in the same genre, but there’s no argument which is better.
Comparing anything to MJ circa 1992 is laughable
Small Forward – Scottie Pippen vs. Dwyane Wade
I have to put Pippen on the floor because he is the only player on the Dream Team that would have a chance guarding LeBron or some of the other physical freaks on the Redeem Team. There are lots of great defenders on the Dream Team (Stockton, Jordan, Ewing) but none of them had the physical attributes that Pippen (6’7, 210) did. I have to look at this as a Pippen/Wade matchup even though if I was Chuck Daly, I would have to put Pip on LeBron and hope Magic’s height would help him defensively against Wade.
EDGE: Dream Team - DWade is a slasher, and at this point in his career he is further along as a scorer than Pippen was in ’92 (though he played second-fiddle to MJ). That being said, Scottie defensive prowess has to give him the edge.
Power Forward – Charles Barkley vs. Carmelo Anthony
From a pure talent standpoint, and based on career accomplishments it’s hard to go against Sir Charles here. A little known fact is that Barkley was actually the leading scorer for the Dream Team during the Barcelona Games. Barkley was in the middle of his prime at this point and about to win his first (and only) MVP award and make his lone NBA Finals appearance. But, my job here is to look at one-on-one matchups and Barkley would really have his hands full with Carmelo. Melo is just 15 pounds lighter and has over two inches on him.
EDGE: Even – Like Jordan, Barkley was at the absolute peak of his career in 1992. But, one thing you can’t say about Charles was that he was a great defender. Both players put up 25 on each other, leading to a wash.
A physical Barkley giving up two inches to a lethal-scorer like Melo? Too close to call.
Center – Patrick Ewing vs. Dwight Howard
The frontcourt is where the Dream Team has a major advantage in this heavyweight tilt. Behind Ewing on the depth chart was a 27-year old David Robinson- behind Howard? A 6’10 beanpole in Chris Bosh. I’m not even going to mention Karl Malone and Charles Barkley, two of the most physical power forwards in NBA history. Getting back to this head-to-head matchup, and doing my best to be unbiased, Ewing was in his prime while Howard is entering his. This is almost like comparing eras because Ewing was right in the thick of the Era of the Big Man, while Howard (at just 6’10) has beaten up on smaller 5s. Howard is a symbol of the modern-day NBA center, which is a huge departure from the late 80's/early 90's versions like Kareem, Ewing, Robinson, and Hakeem.
EDGE: Slight to the Dream Team - A decade from now, this may be a mismatch. Ewing was so good defensively at that point of his career and was a prolific scorer. Howard and the rest of the Redeem Team would have to get into an up-tempo game to slow Pat down.
Bench – Bird, Mullin, Malone, Stockton, etc. vs. Bosh, Boozer, Prince, Paul
EDGE: Huge lean towards the Dream Team – This isn’t even a debate. Chris Mullin was the Dream Team’s 2nd leading scorer, David Robinson was another 7-footer to throw in the middle, and to top it off, the Dream Team had one of the greatest duos in NBA history in Stockton and Malone off their bench! I think Chris Paul could create some matchup problems, but Michael Redd? C’mon. He doesn’t even belong in the same breath as the Dream Team reserves.
Stockton and Malone picking and rolling off the bench would cause any team fits
Coach – Chuck Daly vs. Coach K
EDGE: Slight lean towards the Redeem Team – This is like comparing Joe Torre and Lou Piniella. Daly, like Torre, was merely a manager of egos on the Dream Team. He didn’t even call one timeout during the entire 1992 Olympics! Meanwhile, Coach K has reinvigorated Team USA after several years in the doldrums. His X’s and O’s acumen is right up there with the best of today’s NBA coaches. Most importantly, and what gives the Redeem Team the edge here, is that Coach K put this team together. He obviously had a perfect combination.
THE VERDICT
Dream Team 119, Redeem Team 110
This fantasy matchup lives up to the hype early on as the Dream Team surprisingly is able to keep pace with the Redeem Team’s up-tempo offense. A LeBron James straight on three-pointer actually gives the Redeem Team a one-point lead heading into the final quarter of play. But, just two minutes into the fourth quarter, Dwight Howard fouls out. An overwhelmed Carlos Boozer and Chris Bosh are beaten up inside by Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley, and a fresh Karl Malone off the bench. The Redeem Team’s last gasp six-point run cuts the Dream Team lead to three, but Michael Jordan hits back-to-back 15-footers to extinguish the threat. Chris Mullin hits all of his free throws down the stretch to give the Dream Team the nine-point win.
Don't worry LeBron, you'll win soon...once you get to New York!
SHOOTING THE REST OF THE OLYMPICS:
Swish: Michael Phelps
This article was originally going to be strictly about Phelps and his monumental eight Gold medal performance in Beijing. However, my expertise is in basketball – not swimming – so I went the Dream Team vs. Redeem Team route. Sure, I could’ve wrote about where Phelps’ performance ranks among the best in sports history, or where to stack Phelps against such Olympic greats as Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens, Mark Spitz, and Babe Didrikson. But, as Barack Obama would say, those questions are a bit above my pay grade. Instead of pretending to be an expert, I can tell you how I personally felt about watching a piece of history. I believe that Jason Lezak’s lunge to win the 4x100 medley really set the tone for the entire spell-binding run. Phelps could’ve won every race by two full seconds and it still would’ve been a great performance, but multiple brushes with defeat are what made his unprecedented achievement must see TV. The “I can’t believe what I just saw” one-hundreths of a second defeat of Serbian Milorad Cavic to net Gold #6 in the 100 fly may have been the most exciting finish in any sporting event this decade. At least for me, that ranks up there with Mark McGwire’s 62nd Home Run (tarnished as it may be), what should’ve been the last shot of Michael Jordan’s career to clinch the 1998 NBA Championship, and David Tyree’s catch in Super Bowl XLII, among the moments that I’ll always remember exactly where I was and exactly what I was doing when I watched it.
Like Phelps' finish in the 100 fly, I'll always remember where I was for this...
(P.S. isn't it great to watch highlights on games before commercials dominated every timeout?)
Brick: Whoever is responsible for NOT inviting Mark Spitz to attend Phelps record-breaker
In American sports, whenever hollowed records go down, we often take the time to re-honor the person that originally set the bar. Roger Maris’ family was present to see Mark McGwire hit #62. Henry Aaron was invited to see Barry Bonds hit #756 (which he politely declined). Olympians like Mary Lou Retton and Bruce Jenner are repeatedly invited back to the Olympics every four years, and they don’t even still have records standing. So I ask, where was Mark Spitz? The moustached-wonder of the 1972 Munich Games wasn’t invited to see Michael Phelps break his record of seven Golds in a single Olympiad. Critics say that Spitz is flakey and that the story is about Phelps and not him. That’s not true at all. Spitz isn’t the whole story, but he is big part of it. He’s the man that set the standard, the man that gave all swimmers and all Olympians something to shoot for. In a feeble attempt to save face, NBC had Spitz on live about a half an hour after Phelps’ made history, and he was gracious in passing the torch to swimming’s new star. But, I found myself feeling empty after the finish. All I got to see were Phelps’ mother’s emotional reaction and his sister spazzing out. Frankly, I didn’t care about his family members. My mom and my sister, and any family member of any Olympian would probably have reacted the same way. I wanted to see the look on Spitz’s face when his record which stood for over a quarter-century went down. Would he smile? Would he cry? Would he lightly applaud? Would he stand there without any expression on his face? Sports fans everywhere were robbed of that moment. And Spitz was robbed a final moment in the sun – a moment that he undoubtedly deserved, as do all legendary sports figures when they are finally surpassed.
Air Ball: Olympic Cheaters
North Korean shooter Kim Jong-Su was stripped of a Silver and a Bronze medal after failing a doping test. Jong-Su tested positive for banned beta-blocker drugs that prevent trembling. Earlier this week, it was revealed that another North Korean shooter, Kim Hyon-Ung, failed a doping test after the Asian Championships in December. Spanish cyclist Maria Isabel Moreno (a cyclist doping? Noooo…) and Vietnamese gymnast Thi Ngan Thuong Do round out the list of cheater athletes in Beijing. Perhaps the most blatant cheaters of these games, the Chinese prepubescent girls women’s gymnastics team, weren’t even caught. It was obvious to anyone with two eyeballs and a functioning brain that those girls weren’t 16.
These girls are 13? Yeah right, and Madonna's 25...
Swish: Usain Bolt
Jamacian Usain Bolt became the first runner to win Gold in the 100 and 200 meters since Carl Lewis in 1984. He also set two World Records in the process, winning by an unheard of 0.66 second magin over Shawn Crawford (who was DQed for leaving his lane) in the 200 final on Wednesday. That’s the equivalent of winning a marathon on Sunday and the next runner not crossing the finish line until sometime late Monday. Maybe that’s a stretch, but this feat is nonetheless extremely impressive. If he didn’t pull a Chad Johnson before the finish line in the 100, who knows how fast Bolt’s time could’ve been? Forget that Bolt obliterated the record books – at 6’5 he has officially revolutionized his sport. It was once believed that no one over six-feet could compete in the 100, but now you can throw that notion right in the garbage can. Not only has Bolt put his name alongside Michael Phelps in the annals of Olympic history, he also has joined the Hall of Great Names. The last name “Bolt” for a runner? It’s almost too perfect. Move over Milton Bradley, Miroslav Satan, Scientific Mapp, Oil Can Boyd, Dick Trickle, and World B. Free…you’ve got company. Perhaps the only name that better fits Usain Bolt – former Notre Dame FB Joey Goodspeed.
The "lightning" Bolt "bolted" his way into the nuts and "bolts" of Olympic history
Brick: U.S. Soccer
The United States failed to get past pool play in the Olympics, going 1-1-1 with just 4 points in the preliminary round. They were playing without midfielders Michael Bradley and Freddy “at least I panned out better than Michelle Wie” Adu in their final game against Nigeria. But, when defender Michael Orozco was tossed after drawing a red for an intentional elbow, the Americans were down to ten men and lost whatever chance they had at making the Quarterfinals. The Americans fought valiantly to keep the talented Nigerian attack in check, and came close to tying the score in the 87th minute when Charlie Davies’ header hit the crossbar. However, the U.S. effort didn’t earn them any medals – any they still have never scored a podium finish in the Olympics. Soccer in America has taken big steps over the past few years, including a great World Cup showing in 2002. But, their Olympic result reveals once again that the Americans still have a long way to go until they can compete with the World’s elite.
Air Ball: Ara Abrahamian
Who’s that you ask? It’s the wrestler guy who pouted like an eight-year old after he won Bronze and threw his medal down on the mat. The Swedish wrestler was upset when a disputed penalty call decided his semifinal match, costing him a shot at the Gold. I understand that Abrahamian was upset, but there is absolutely no excuse for behavior like that. Not only are you representing yourself in these games, you are also representing your country. That means even more for the smaller countries like Sweden, who don’t often find themselves on the podium. Sweden has won just three medals, and Abrahamian cost them a fourth. He was rightfully stripped of his Bronze and his act of stepping off the podium and dropping his medal was deemed “disrespectful to his fellow competitors” according to the IOC.
The Shots Fantasy Update:
Robinson Cano & Co. II def. Boston Brawlers, 6-3
Kind of like the Yankees, this team is good enough to hang around, but it seems to be on a dead end street. Two weeks remain in the season and Robinson Cano & Co. II is 5 1/2 out of the final playoff spot. Mike Mussina (6-1, 6+ IP in each of last 9 starts), and Ted Lilly (5-1, 6 K average over last 10 starts), don’t seem to want to call it quits yet. Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez’s big day against the Royals Sunday (2 HR, 9 total RBI) kept the dream alive for one more week, helping me narrowly edge HR (13-11) and RBI (37-34) in a 6-3 win last week. The last-gasp playoff attempt will comes now, as I’m taking on the last place team in my league who gave up long ago. I’m four out of the loss column, so in order to pick up 5 1/2 games, I’d have to go 14-4-2 and have Double Switch go 7-8-5. Like with the Yankees, I’ve pretty much accepted reality of a disappointing finish.
Fantasy NASCAR, 320 point week – still in 7th place
Another big week has really breathed some life into this team, as I’m only 200 points out of the top three. I scored my first one-two finish of the season as Carl Edwards (110 pts) and Kyle Busch (first time I’ve started him during a top-five finish) paced me this week. Mark Martin (80 pts) had a solid 6th place finish, however I picked a bad week to sit Brian Vickers (pole, 7th place finish). Instead I chose Patrick Carpentier over AJ Allmendinger because of his sixth place start. Hopefully the good vibes continue into this week.
I was doing back flips in my living room too
Fantasy Golf, only 177 points out of 3rd to last place!
Remember a couple months ago when I was over 1,000 points out of 3rd to last place? That lead has been cut to just 177 (and the person I’m chasing sets a lineup every week). The unstoppable Chuckie Three Stick-Up freight train started winner Carl Pettersson, also scored a 6th place finish from Kevin Streelman. It’s sad that the goal of this team is to get to 3rd to last place, but such is my baptism into Fantasy Golf.
The Shots What to Watch this week:
Decathalon and Table Tennis, Thursday
Many gave their opinions on the athleticism of Michael Phelps compared to Bruce Jenner and other decathaletes. Well, you can make up your mind for yourself by watching on Thursday. The decathalon is usually the highlight of the Olympics in a normal non-Phelps year. China's bread and butter (perhaps their national sport) is table tennis - anytime a Chinese player is partcipating, it is worth a look.
Tampa Bay at Chicago, Friday-Sunday
I could've gone with Minnesota at LA Angels, which is another intriuging matchup between potential playoff teams. But, remember last week when I wrote that the Rays are showing no signs of slowing down? Well, sans Crawford and Longoria, they've won six of seven, including the first two in their series with the ML-best Angels. This will be a good measuring stick for the White Sox, who lately have been beating up on bad teams (Seattle, KC, Oakland, and Detroit this month).
Final Day of the Olympics, Sunday
I'm going to Walmart to get some bottled water, non-perishable food items, and adult diapers (too far?) to brace myself for the final weekend of the Olympics. Sunday includes finals in women's volleyball, men's table tennis, men's basketball, men's handball, almost every track & field event - and that's just before noon. The Olympics wrap up with the men's water polo, volleyball, and boxing finals in the afternoon.
Bills at Colts, Sunday
First NFL game ever at Lucas Oil Stadium. But, the first games played on the "Oil Field" will be high school matchups on Friday and Saturday. I'll miss the PeyBack Classic, but I'll still beat the Colts fans by 24 hours in my first trip to the Luke on Saturday night to see Avon/Hamilton Southeastern. Who wants to touch me?
The Shots YouTube Clips this week:
Sports related -
Just to refresh your memory on Mark Spitz...
Non-sports related -
Here's a sport that definitely needs to be added to the Olympics.
The Shots Chick Pick this week: Paraguay's Leryn Franco
This comes from Dave in Indianapolis...
Franco finished 51st out of 52 competitors in the javelin throw, but she takes Chick Pick Gold.
<cue the Paraguay National Anthem>
See you next week.
Listen to Derek as he hosts the Xtra Large Lunch, every weekday from noon to 1 PM on XL 950!
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