Sure then, since Trav wants to use this as debate, I'm all for it. I see what you are saying, Like I posted over on your blog, I am excited about this year's team and ready to get the domination back on track like those great 92 and 96 teams. And you know what, you are right, as it stands the 96 team is better than the team we have just assembled.
As of now.
Would you say that a team consisting of Gary Payton, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, and Shaq is better than Chauncey Billups, A young Tayshaun Prince (Your Christian Laettner), and Rasheed Wallace? You know where this is going.
When you look at it on paper, of course those 04 Lakers were more talented then the Pistons, but around the time when the Pistons got up 40 in that game 5 to win the series, it dawned on me. Team basketball is how championships are won. Your comparison matches individuals, not the collective team.
Now Trav, of course we're talking Olympic basketball here, and the 96 team was incredible. An assembly of basketball gods. But unless that team and this year's team somehow meet in the afterlife (And we'd have courtside tickets my man), we'll never know which team is "better". Like I said, the competition is improved, and only time will tell how great the 08 squad really is.
And one more thing, you wrote, and I quote, "John Stockton is the greatest point guard of all-time..." Dude, Trav, whatever happened to those week-long Magic/Stockton arguments? Have you conceded?
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
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2 comments:
John Stockton is the better POINT GUARD but who is a better basketball player...Magic Johnson.
I think the 1996 team proved that they are not just a pretty team on paper. They as well went undefeated and crushed their opponents by 34 points per game.
As far as team chemistry the 2008 team has some terrible teammates. Heading that list is unfortunately Kobe Bryant for obvious reasons, followed up by Carmelo 'DUI' Anthony, Jason Kidd who routinely gave up on the Nets and last but certainly not least Micheal Redd who has never seen a shot he didn't like.
I am not entirely convinced that this team is going to win the gold. As I pointed out we don't have any size, I don't see how we are going to defend the pick n' roll and their guards are too physical and strong for us. The only guy on my team that I would trust to make a shot is Micheal Redd who will probably be riding the bench.
The international competition is a lot better and the rules and style of the game make it very difficult for us to have dominant teams like in 1992 and 1996. Its not fair to compare them because 1992 and 1996 played a bunch of slobs so statistically it will never match up.
This team is not going to blow everybody out by 30 or 40 points. The team in 1992 probably wouldn't blow every team out by 30 or 40 points.
It is going to be a hard-fought tournament, by far the best basketball tournament that will ever be played, including any March Madness and NBA Playoff in any year because this is the friggin Olympics and I am soo excited to watch it and I do agree that the USA will win gold but just not in the same dominant fashion.
John Stockton was a very nice Point Guard. High Five!!
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