So I am watching the dream team documentary on the 1992 Olympic basketball team. I am a big basketball fan and I almost forgot how dominant that team really was.

It did get me to thinking though, was there ever an era of basketball that had the same caliber of players as that team did. I honestly couldn't think of one era, every player except the token college guy, Christian laetner, is in the HOF and most were fist ballot guys too.

Best team ever. ever.

So I am watching the dream team documentary on the 1992 Olympic basketball team. I am a big basketball fan and I almost forgot how dominant that team really was.

It did get me to thinking though, was there ever an era of basketball that had the same caliber of players as that team did. I honestly couldn't think of one era, every player except the token college guy, Christian laetner, is in the HOF and most were fist ballot guys too.

Hard to argue there. Probably the greatest assemblage of hoops talent ever....

The only time that may have compared was late 70's early 80's when magic, bird, Kareem, dr.J Moses Malone, bill Walton were still around and most in their prime. But that dream team was amazing, and if Jordan wasn't such a ****** bag Isaiah Thomas would have been on the team too.....

The only time that may have compared was late 70's early 80's when magic, bird, Kareem, dr.J Moses Malone, bill Walton were still around and most in their prime. But that dream team was amazing, and if Jordan wasn't such a ****** bag Isaiah Thomas would have been on the team too.....

 

 

I suppose when you are the best player to ever play a sport, you get to call the shots.

 

Nothing wrong with MJ not wanting to play with someone he thought was a dirty player (which Isaiah was)

I suppose when you are the best player to ever play a sport, you get to call the shots.

 

Nothing wrong with MJ not wanting to play with someone he thought was a dirty player (which Isaiah was)

I wouldn't say Jordan was the best ever, top 10 maybe 5 but not the best. He probably was the most competitve player ever and the player who got the most calls. He just held a grudge against Isaiah since he couldn't get past him for all those years.

On 2/10/2013 at 6:21 AM, flyfisher said:

I wouldn't say Jordan was the best ever, top 10 maybe 5 but not the best. He probably was the most competitve player ever and the player who got the most calls. He just held a grudge against Isaiah since he couldn't get past him for all those years.

I disagree. The grudge was held because Isaiah was the leader of the "bad boys" in Detroit. He was always pushing the team to be extra nasty on the court. Isaiah earned the black balling he got by his lack of sportsmanship.

"since he couldn't get past him all those years" ??? Really?? You could MAYBE make a weak case for that during the Piston's run from '88 thru '90. Jordan led the league in scoring during every year the Pistons won the EC Finals. But after that it isn't really even close. A few trades and an assistant coach named Phil Jackson took over as head coach and the rest is undisputed history. Jordan owned them after that.

 

"top 10 maybe 5"

 

And, with that comment, you have no credibility on the topic of basketball.

So I am watching the dream team documentary on the 1992 Olympic basketball team. I am a big basketball fan and I almost forgot how dominant that team really was.

It did get me to thinking though, was there ever an era of basketball that had the same caliber of players as that team did. I honestly couldn't think of one era, every player except the token college guy, Christian laetner, is in the HOF and most were fist ballot guys too.

Yepper. The Woodson era at UCLA. 7 back to back NCAA titles and 9 in 10 years. They were unstoppable.

The 75-76 seasons at Indiana under Knight. Back to back NCAA appearances with the 76 being an undefeated season. The only team in country to go undefeated all season 35-0. I highly doubt it will ever be broken.

If you really like Jordan, read Roy Williams auto bio. It talks about him recruiting Jordan and his time at UNC.

I suppose when you are the best player to ever play a sport, you get to call the shots.

 

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/slam_500_greatest.html

 

When it's all said & done I think LeBron might sneak to the top of that list.

"top 10 maybe 5"

And, with that comment, you have no credibility on the topic of basketball.

Agreed. When it comes to numbers and skill Bryant comes close I repeat close to Jordan in skill. Jordan was what made the NBA what it is today.

http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/slam_500_greatest.html

When it's all said & done I think LeBron might sneak to the top of that list.

Doubtful but it could happen. LeBron has cleaned up his image and grabbed a ring, but he's got 5 more to go and countless other awards first. LeBron also has a jump start on stats over Jordan due to Jordan going to UNC for two years

It would be hard for me to bet against MJ as the greatest player.  The era of Jordan, Magic, Bird, Jabbar IMO was the most exciting time in professional BB.  Going back some, Chamberlain, Russell, Robertson weren't too shabby either.  Not there best team ever, but I loved the 70' Knicks and my favorite all time player was Magic Johnson.

It always amazes me when the discussion of "the best NBA player ever" gets brought up.  Arguably the best player in my opinion, who is often overlooked, The Big O....  Oscar Robertson.  How can anyone deny a player who averaged a triple double for an entire season.  All time leading scorer in ICIncinnati history and only played 3 years.  The man was sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet before it became cool.  He JUST PLAYED

Don't forget Wilt. He had the only 100 point game and made all kinds of blocks long before they were recorded. Plus he notched over 20,000 notches in his bed post

"top 10 maybe 5"

 

And, with that comment, you have no credibility on the topic of basketball.

No what it means is i watch basetbal lmore than the past 20 years.  Oscar robertson averged a triple double for an entire season, Wilt was a beast who was so far ahead of his time it wasn't even funny and when was told he couldn't pass he went out and led the league in assists jsut to prove a point, Magic Johnson as a rookie subbed in at center in the NBA finals against a great sixers team and dominated at center and he made every person on his team better and of course as much as i hate to say it kobe is pretty d**n good too.

 

Jordan was an outstanding player but he did not change the game.  Yeah his level of competitiveness was soemthing hte league never saw but he benefitted from coming ito the league at the perfect time.  Many greats were on the downswing of their careers and once Phil Jackson came on board they had a chemistry that wasn't matched and he won his titles.  The league was probably at it's weakest durign Jordan's runs.  Wehn larry, DrJ and magic won their titles they had to play each other every year in the finals and for the sixers or celtics they had to get through each other first too.  I woudl argue the sixers in '83 are probably the best team to ever play the game and very nearly swept the playoffs if it wasn't for one loss against milwaukee.

 

I would also argue that Lebron is easily the msot talented player to suit up in the NBA.  The league has not seen a player of his size with that skillset.  The thing he is lacking is his drive to win.  If he had the competitive drive of say a kobe or jordan he would be the best by far.

I would love to see Lebron with Kobe's competitive drive.  The rest of the league wouldn't like it, but it would be fun to watch!

No what it means is i watch basetbal lmore than the past 20 years.  Oscar robertson averged a triple double for an entire season, Wilt was a beast who was so far ahead of his time it wasn't even funny and when was told he couldn't pass he went out and led the league in assists jsut to prove a point, Magic Johnson as a rookie subbed in at center in the NBA finals against a great sixers team and dominated at center and he made every person on his team better and of course as much as i hate to say it kobe is pretty d**n good too.

 

Jordan was an outstanding player but he did not change the game.  Yeah his level of competitiveness was soemthing hte league never saw but he benefitted from coming ito the league at the perfect time.  Many greats were on the downswing of their careers and once Phil Jackson came on board they had a chemistry that wasn't matched and he won his titles.  The league was probably at it's weakest durign Jordan's runs.  Wehn larry, DrJ and magic won their titles they had to play each other every year in the finals and for the sixers or celtics they had to get through each other first too.  I woudl argue the sixers in '83 are probably the best team to ever play the game and very nearly swept the playoffs if it wasn't for one loss against milwaukee.

 

I would also argue that Lebron is easily the msot talented player to suit up in the NBA.  The league has not seen a player of his size with that skillset.  The thing he is lacking is his drive to win.  If he had the competitive drive of say a kobe or jordan he would be the best by far.

NBA.com seems to think that Jordan totally revolutionized the game...I think so too.

http://www.nba.com/history/players/jordan_bio.html

Jordan was an outstanding player but he did not change the game. 

 

Are you kidding me? Wow!

 

Half of the 50 greatest players were in their prime when Jordan dominated the game.

 

I don't know what world you are living in, but I don't think they have the NBA there.

Are you kidding me? Wow!

 

Half of the 50 greatest players were in their prime when Jordan dominated the game.

 

I don't know what world you are living in, but I don't think they have the NBA there.

 

 

BTW, half was an exaggeration. But many of the best played during the 90's when Jordan was the best player in the league.

Give me an example of something Jordan did that nobody else did....

And the top 50 lists are always biased towards current times too

Pretty sure u just asked for confirmation that was the best dream team ever and then tried to validate Jordan not being the best player by saying he played in a down time? Did I miss something?

The topic shifted towards a Jordan discussion so I said my piece. And individual players do not make great teams necessarily.

One thing I think everyone can agree on is Jordan sucks as a GM:)