Even though the 1992 Dream Team set the standard for any All-American squad ever assembled, the current Team USA roster seems almost as dominant. BasketNews takes a look at the strengths and weaknesses of both rosters in case of a hypothetical matchup.
The 1992 Dream Team is widely regarded as the greatest basketball team ever assembled.
Comprised of NBA legends such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley, the team dominated the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, winning the gold medal with ease. Their performance not only solidified their place in basketball history but also helped globalize the sport.
The Dream Team represented a new era in Olympic basketball. Before the 1992 Olympics, no NBA players were allowed to compete for Team USA. After 1986, the only pro league whose players were prohibited from competing in FIBA tournaments was the NBA.
Team USA dominated, winning by an average of 43.8 points per game. Against Angola in the opening game, the US went on a 46-1 run. Starstruck opponents would even ask for their pictures with Johnson or Jordan.
Fast forward to 2024, and Team USA continues to be a powerhouse in international basketball. The roster for the 2024 Olympic team is filled with NBA stars of the current era, including players like Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Anthony Edwards.
Recently, Serbia NT head coach Svetislav Pesic called the current US team "stronger than the Dream Team from 1992."
"I was there with Germany, I remember that no one could believe such players exist," the veteran play-caller recalled. "But it was 1992, now it's 2024, and this team is better; a perfect opportunity to see where the rest of the world is compared to them."
Could Pesic be right? First, let's have a look at the two rosters:
1992 Dream Team
| Player | Team |
| Magic Johnson | Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) |
| John Stockton | Utah Jazz (NBA) |
| Michael Jordan | Chicago Bulls (NBA) |
| Chris Mullin | Golden State Warriors (NBA) |
| Clyde Drexler | Portland Trail Blazers (NBA) |
| Scottie Pippen | Chicago Bulls (NBA) |
| Charles Barkley | Phoenix Suns (NBA) |
| Larry Bird | Boston Celtics (NBA) |
| Karl Malone | Utah Jazz (NBA) |
| Patrick Ewing | New York Knicks (NBA) |
| Christian Laettner | Duke Blue Devils (NBA) |
| David Robinson | San Antonio Spurs (NBA) |
2024 Team USA
| Player | Team |
| Stephen Curry | Golden State Warriors (NBA) |
| LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) |
| Kevin Durant | Phoenix Suns (NBA) |
| Jayson Tatum | Boston Celtics (NBA) |
| Joel Embiid | Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) |
| Devin Booker | Phoenix Suns (NBA) |
| Tyrese Halliburton | Indiana Pacers (NBA) |
| Anthony Edwards | Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA) |
| Jrue Holiday | Boston Celtics (NBA) |
| Bam Adebayo | Miami Heat (NBA) |
| Anthony Davis | Los Angeles Lakers (NBA) |
| Derrick White | Boston Celtics (NBA) |
Since the debate about the team that would have the upper hand in case of a hypothetical-imaginary showdown is alive and kicking, we take a look at each side's strengths and weaknesses. Here are some areas for comparison.
A background of failures
1992 Dream Team: America winning bronze in the 1988 Olympic Games was a pivotal moment. The Soviet Union defeated the United States 82-76 in the semifinals, at a time when only collegiate players were allowed in Olympic play. On April 7, 1989, FIBA voted 56-13 to allow pro players to participate.
Some NBA players expressed their desire to play. "I'd go in a heartbeat and pay my own ticket," Karl Malone said. Over time, the initial 58% of NBA players who declared themselves available to join the squad if afforded the opportunity, as evidenced by a 1989 poll, grew bigger and bigger. Since 1992, the Olympics has been the international event NBA stars can't turn down.
2024 Team USA: The exit from the 2023 World Cup, a product of a narrow 111-113 loss to Germany in the semis, resulted in no medal won. In fact, the Americans have not won the last two FIBA World Cups, finishing 7th in 2019 and 4th in 2023. In the meantime, Kevin Durant made sure Team USA's streak of failures wouldn't go on forever, as he led the squad to Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021.
Rumors about a new Dream Team that would beat all competition began to surface as soon as the World Cup ended. Like the Redeem Team in 2008, this group has been labeled as The Avengers Team, and nothing less than a perfect record leading up to another gold medal will suffice.
Star Power and Legacy
1992 Dream Team: The Dream Team boasted 11 Hall of Famers, who also were the best players in the world at the time. Only Christian Laettner had no NBA experience, even though he won the NCAA title with Duke. Michael Jordan, in his prime, alongside veterans like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, brought not only skill but immense basketball IQ and leadership.
Only David Robinson carried over to the 1992 roster from the previous Olympics. 'The Admiral' had been drafted in 1987 by the San Antonio Spurs, but maintained amateur status until 1989 because he had deferred his first two years in the league to serve in the US Navy. Ewing, Mullin, and Jordan had played together in the 1984 Olympics when none of them were yet NBA players.
2024 Team USA: The 2024 team features current superstars who are already carving out Hall of Fame careers. Players like LeBron James and Kevin Durant have left indelible marks on the NBA.
Stephen Curry is a prolific shooter and playmaker, while Devin Booker adds scoring and versatility. LeBron James, even in his late 30s, remains a dominant force on both ends of the floor. Kevin Durant is an elite scorer, and Anthony Davis can be a dominant force as a rim protector, as proven in the recent showcase against Serbia, where he racked up 6 blocks.
Championship pedigree
The 1992 roster had a total of 267,000 career points, 23 championship titles, 100 All-NBA selections, and 14 MVP Awards.
The 2024 Team USA roster boasts 189,000 career points, 15 championship titles, 59 All-NBA selections, and 8 MVP Awards.
Style of Play
1992 Dream Team: Known for their physical play, dominance in the paint, and exceptional passing. They played a style that was more traditional, focusing on half-court sets and post-play.
Back then, centers had a significantly smaller range and could barely hit 3s. Low-post game was still in fashion and big men could somehow slow the pace down by getting the ball where they would have a chance to score -- and not really do much else.
2024 Team USA: Modern basketball emphasizes pace, space, and 3-point shooting. Players like Steph Curry have revolutionized the game with their shooting range, and this team plays at a faster pace with more emphasis on perimeter shooting.
Everybody on this team shoots and can handle the ball. Today's game is about motion, angles, free-flowing, and speed. Teams tend to opt for positionless basketball, which allows them multiple ways to beat their rivals.
Coaching and Strategy
1992 Dream Team: Coached by the legendary Chuck Daly, who was adept at managing egos and devising effective game plans against international opponents. Daly, a 2-time NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons (1989, 1990) didn't have to call a single timeout during the Barcelona Olympics. That speaks for how effortlessly the Dream Team won gold and how one-sided all of their games turned out to be.
2024 Team USA: The current coaching staff, led by a top NBA coach like Steve Kerr, brings a modern approach to the game, utilizing advanced analytics and diverse offensive strategies. Kerr, 58, has won 4 NBA titles as a coach, all with Golden State and was an assistant to Gregg Popovich in 2021.
Competition Level
1992 Dream Team: Faced less competitive international teams, as the rest of the world had not yet caught up to the NBA's level of play. In the Barcelona Olympics, Team USA dominated, winning by an average of 43.8 points per game. Against Angola in the opening game, the US went on a 46–1 run. Starstruck opponents would even ask to take pictures with Johnson or Jordan.
They won all five of their group-stage games convincingly before defeating Puerto Rico, Lithuania, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to secure a spot in the gold medal game. In the gold medal game, the Dream Team emerged victorious against Croatia with a 117-85 victory, securing the gold medal.
Charles Barkley had the famous line that reflected the Dream Team's mood: "I don't know anything about Angola, but they're in trouble." The only thing Team USA's rivals could aspire to was to lose by a decent margin. Virtually all of their games were over by the half-time break -- or even sooner.
2024 Team USA: The rest of the world has caught up to USA basketball. The international competition has significantly improved, with many NBA stars coming from different countries. In fact, five times in the last six years, the NBA MVP didn't hail from the US.
The games are more competitive, and scouting and preparation have become more detailed. No matter how dominant this team proves to be, it's highly doubtful that it can match the excitement and impressions that the original Dream Team created.
Hypothetical Game Analysis
The Dream Team's offense would revolve around exploiting mismatches in the post and using their superior passing skills and court vision to create open shots. That team possessed an unparalleled scoring ability, with Jordan regarded as the greatest scorer in NBA history and Barkley and Malone known for their dominant inside presence.
The squad was also known for its suffocating defense, led by Jordan and Pippen on the perimeter and Ewing and Robinson protecting the rim.
The 2024 team's offense seems to be more dynamic, with a heavy reliance on pick-and-rolls, isolation plays for their versatile scorers, and plenty of 3-point attempts. Defensively, the 2024 team would rely on switching defenses, utilizing their athleticism and versatility to guard multiple positions.
The Avengers Team, composed of top-tier NBA talent, possesses a combination of size, athleticism, and versatility, with players like LeBron, Joel Embiid, and Bam Adebayo ensuring a well-rounded team that can adapt to various game situations.
Intangibles
Experience and chemistry would favor the Dream Team. Many of the 1992 players were seasoned veterans who had already played together in various All-Star games and playoff battles.
The 2024 team's strength would be their familiarity with modern basketball tactics and conditioning, along with their adaptability to different playing styles.
The average age of the 2024 roster is 30 years old. Having players with so many prime years left in their careers means that in 20 years from now, this roster might be viewed as the best of all time.
Conclusion
Asked by the Associated Press to comment on Kobe Bryant's quote that the 2012 US Team could beat the Dream Team, Michael Jordan replied:
"I guess we'll never know. I'd like to think that we had 11 Hall of Famers on that team, and whenever they get 11 Hall of Famers, you call and ask me who had the better Dream Team. Remember now, they learned from us. We didn't learn from them."
Mike Krzyzewski, who was an assistant on the 1992 Barcelona team, reflected on the particularities and the power balance in the 90s.
"It was one of those unique experiences of my life, but it's a different time. We could win on just talent alone at that time in the history of international basketball, but those days are gone," he told ESPN's Chris Sheridan in September 2007.
While it's impossible to definitively say which team would come out on top in a hypothetical matchup, it's clear that both the 1992 Dream Team and the 2024 Team USA have their unique strengths. The Dream Team's dominance and legacy are unmatched, but the modern game's evolution and the rise of international talent make the 2024 squad a formidable opponent.
What's inarguably true is the rise in the level of competition. Team USA's opponents won't show up in France to just take photos with their idols, as it happened in 1992. They will be there to compete fair and square -- and if that's not possible, they will try to contain the NBA stars by all means. That's probably the most important element that separates two teams that belong to different eras of basketball.
