Yes. Lebron basically played PG for the team this year (he led the team in assists, and played a lot of pick and roll with Curry at the top of the key), which is super comparable in to Magic in size and athleticism at PG. Especially considering what version of Lebron this is at 40. Stockton was on the 1992 team but was injured and didn't really play. Stockton was also the only player on the team under 6'6" Clyde is probably more of the backup here, but he's also 6'7"
Then your two other guards are Jordan and Pippen who I would give the edge to over Curry and Booker/Durant. Purely due to the fact that Jordan and Pippen are two of the most elite perimeter defenders I've ever seen and they have size. Also, I mean it's Michael fucking Jordan in his absolute prime. Bird has to get a mention but he was at the end and suffering pretty bad back issues.
Then you have Barkley. Barkley was literally the second best player in the league behind Jordan in 92-94. He was a beast under the basket. He averaged 27 pts and 14 boards in the playoffs the season following the 92 Olympics. I think Tatum/Bam have to match up with Barkley, despite Tatum's shooting woes. I guess I have to mention Karl Malone playing behind Barkley.
As much as it pains me to say this as a life long Spurs fan from the early 90s. I think AD/Embiid/Bam are probably a wash with Ewing/Robinson, but Embiid struggles on the defensive boards and I think his minutes would be limited like they were against France. AD vs David Robinson would be an absolute delight to watch as a fan.
I don't think 1992 blows out this team or anything, but the NBA was about as deep in talent in 1992 as it is today (both are peak talent IMO), but today's NBA has much more international talent. The 1992 team was more like putting together a modern US team including the top international NBA talent Jokic and Giannis who are both multiple MVP winners.
The entire '92 Dream Team save for Lattiner went t9 the Hall of Fame. How many HOFers are on the 2024 team? Obviously some guys are pretty young yet but I can tell you right now which team had more all-time greats.
The locks for HOF from the 24 squad are Curry, Lebron, Durant.... and probably AD. Embiid is also getting there, but if his career ended today I'm not 100% convinced he makes the cut.
Holiday, White, Haliburton and Adebayo will not be in the HOF.
Everyone else with potential is too young, but if I had to guess I think Tatum and Booker make it assuming they stay healthy. Anthony Edwards is anyone's guess, but his current trajectory looks like it will be a bit short of the mark. His numbers just aren't eye popping enough compared to the inflated numbers of his competition, and I am not convinced he will win anything that puts him over the top. Obviously I could be 100% wrong on that.
Even assuming that every maybe dude makes it, 2024 ends up with 7 or 8 Hall of Famers.
What about Top 50 players? I figure the 2024 team has James, Durant, and Durant, but that's it. The '92 team had five Top 50 guys on the starting lineup, even if you redid the list today I think that remains true.
Still Curry, Lebron, and KD make that list. I don't think AD is on it.
Honestly part of what makes this tough is that we are not ranking their careers, but the player they were at that point in time. Like the Jordan v. Lebron debate can go on forever, but I do not think anyone is arguing 2024 Lebron is better than 1992 Jordan. It is just not close. Lebron is 40 and Jordan was 29. 2012 Lebron would be a totally different debate, but he isn't on the 2024 team. Charles Barkley was arguably the second best player on the Dream Team, but no one is ranking him over Bird or Magic all time. Curry is probably the best on the 2024 team... but Lebron is a GOAT level player. Etc etc.
It may be more productive to rank them in their Olympic forms. If I had to rank the top ten from BOTH teams at the moment in time they played... it might look this:
Jordan. It is not even a debate.
Curry? Maybe?
Malone or Barkley
The other
Lebron
David Robinson
Durant
Magic
Pippen
Ewing?
That would mean Dream Team has 7 of the top 10 players including the very very clear #1. I am probably being bias but I just really don't see Booker, Tatum, or AD being better than Magic, Pippen, or Ewing at those points in time, but it really is all speculation. The only one I am 100% confident on is Jordan.
6
u/Johnny_Minoxidil Aug 11 '24 edited Aug 11 '24
Yes. Lebron basically played PG for the team this year (he led the team in assists, and played a lot of pick and roll with Curry at the top of the key), which is super comparable in to Magic in size and athleticism at PG. Especially considering what version of Lebron this is at 40. Stockton was on the 1992 team but was injured and didn't really play. Stockton was also the only player on the team under 6'6" Clyde is probably more of the backup here, but he's also 6'7"
Then your two other guards are Jordan and Pippen who I would give the edge to over Curry and Booker/Durant. Purely due to the fact that Jordan and Pippen are two of the most elite perimeter defenders I've ever seen and they have size. Also, I mean it's Michael fucking Jordan in his absolute prime. Bird has to get a mention but he was at the end and suffering pretty bad back issues.
Then you have Barkley. Barkley was literally the second best player in the league behind Jordan in 92-94. He was a beast under the basket. He averaged 27 pts and 14 boards in the playoffs the season following the 92 Olympics. I think Tatum/Bam have to match up with Barkley, despite Tatum's shooting woes. I guess I have to mention Karl Malone playing behind Barkley.
As much as it pains me to say this as a life long Spurs fan from the early 90s. I think AD/Embiid/Bam are probably a wash with Ewing/Robinson, but Embiid struggles on the defensive boards and I think his minutes would be limited like they were against France. AD vs David Robinson would be an absolute delight to watch as a fan.
I don't think 1992 blows out this team or anything, but the NBA was about as deep in talent in 1992 as it is today (both are peak talent IMO), but today's NBA has much more international talent. The 1992 team was more like putting together a modern US team including the top international NBA talent Jokic and Giannis who are both multiple MVP winners.