Michael Jordan is Laughing in Kobe’s Face
13 years ago

Recently, Kobe Bryant has made headlines over his bold proclamation that the 2012 Olympic Squad is better than the 1992 “Dream Team.” Although the current squad is incredibly intimidating, the 1992 Dream Team had a starting five of all-time greats, and quite possibly the greatest lineup in basketball history. There were 12 players on the roster, 11 went to the Hall of Fame. In fact, all 12 would have been Hall of Famers had the coaching staff chosen Shaquille O’Neal instead of Christian Laettner for the final spot on the roster, which was reserved for a college player. Thanks a lot Coach K.

The Dream Team included the GOAT Michael Jordan. Jordan was one of the 11 Hall of Famers on the Dream Team. When asked for his thoughts on Kobe’s statement, Jordan said he “absolutely laughed” and for Kobe to even compare the teams “is not one of the smarter things he ever could have done.”

The 2012 U.S. Men’s Team is pretty strong, no questions about that. Kobe, though, is claiming this team is better than a team that won games by an average of nearly 44 points. If Kobe really stands behind his statement, he’d better go off for at least 50 points tonight against the Dominican Republic. The current incarnation of Team USA might have more of a claim were Dwight Howard, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, and Derrick Rose not hurt and unable to play. Granted there wasn’t anyone on the ’92 Dream Team quite like LeBron, Durant, or even Blake Griffin (in terms of dominant dunking), but 2012’s Team USA doesn’t have a Michael Jordan.

    1. Rob Fox

      Athlete yes, unquestionably. Player? I’m not sure yet, LeBron’s career is far from over so it’s too early to tell, but Jordan was just on a different level than everybody. But the key difference is that LeBron can be an inside presence as well as a perimeter player, something Jordan could never do. Still, it’s Jordan until proven otherwise, and that’ll be pretty damn hard to do.

      13 years ago at 4:07 pm
    2. ice cold frat

      Jordan was a better shooter and scorer than LeBron, but the two had completely different, and incomparable, styles of play. That being said, I’d much rather have LeBron James on an All-Star team (his passing and defense are unrivaled by any “forward” in the game) because outstanding overall play would work much better on that sort of team.

      13 years ago at 4:52 pm
    4. the fratness monster

      Jordan dominated everything about the game. He played defense, and he played offense. This includes 5 MVP, and 10 scoring titles. Lebron might get MVP 5 times, but will never get 10 scoring titles. Jordan was a much more complete player. Still, it is kinda early to make a definite comparison, but Jordan is the GOAT. Let’s look at some other smaller reasons why Jordan was better.

      Played for one team, HIS team (not Wizards). He built his own legacy at Chicago.
      He was better than everyone, and he knew it and acted like it.
      Shorter shorts. (See picture above)
      Come on. Space Jam > State Farm commercials.

      13 years ago at 5:49 pm
    5. RAW DOG ASSASSIN

      comparing the ’92 dream team and the ’12 mens bball team is like comparing an ’92 ferrari and a ’12 ferrari. They’re both fucking sick, better than me and kick ass but the technology in the ’12 would kick the 90’s one’s ass. Today’s proffessional sports heralds an era of unequivocal athleticism and dominance by the majority of starters. People have just become so much more educated on nutrition, excercise and overall health&fitness; the players twenty years ago could just not compete in today’s modern NBA

      13 years ago at 7:31 pm
    6. Dorns_Boy_Toy

      ^ There is no such thing as defense in the NBA now. If Charles Barkley in his prime was able to give LeBron a legitimate hard foul, he wouldn’t be able to play for a week.

      13 years ago at 8:21 pm
    7. RAW DOG ASSASSIN

      true but that is more the doing of the league setting standards higher for refrees to make better calls forced by the advent of instant replay

      13 years ago at 11:33 pm
  5. sigma_chi_1855

    Larry Bird on whether current Olympic team could beat Dream Team: “They probably could. I haven’t played in 20 years and we’re all old now.”

    13 years ago at 6:20 pm
  6. TheSouthFratsHard

    Why would I watch the NBA? I can just watch the Animal Planet special on gorillas?

    13 years ago at 6:44 pm
    5. RedWhiteandBlowjobs

      tired of these southern fried hicks bashing different races. Don’t talk shit when your mother and father’s families trace back to a single sperm

      13 years ago at 12:55 pm
  9. FratinaHat

    I don’t know why we are talking about the NBA on a Greek website. Its the least Greek sport ever, besides ultimate Frisbee

    13 years ago at 9:46 am
  11. Fratgineer

    LeBron will never be as good as Jordan, because LeBron will never be in a movie like Space Jam.

    13 years ago at 9:51 am