since '92, the US teams have won international competitions because of one thing alone--- superior talent. They've never relied on team play. That '92 Dream Team played NBA type basketball. They were way, way better than their opponents and that's why they dominated. It was never because of team ball. It was isolation most of the time. And the passing was just for highlight reels. The succeeding US teams did the same. One-on-one basketball and highlight reels. That was how US teams played in the Olympics and World Championships.
But in 2000, international basketball found an antidote to NBA basketball--- ball movement and outside shooting.. with not much talent, they worked on crisp passing, quickened the pace and focused on outside shooting.. they had almost perfected it by then kaya muntikan na matalo yung 2000 US team against Lithuania and France.. and by 2002 World Championships, Argentina finally perfected it..
the international scene got better and found ways to improve.. US basketball didn't go on a decline but rather, went stagnant until '08 in Beijing.. and even that '08 team still relied mostly on isolation.. they just wanted to win so badly..
that close game the other day vs Lithuania was reminiscent of 2000 Sydney.. coming off huge wins in their previous games, they relaxed and became overconfident.. their shots weren't falling and Lithuania capitalized on it.. they shot the ball well from the outside, they got the rebounds by packing the paint and they moved the ball around.. and the thing that saved the US team was not team ball.. it was superior talent.. Lithuania had no match for Lebron.. the US just isolated Lebron and let him do the work..
when it comes to the US team, never expect them to play team ball.. these players play NBA type basketball throughout their careers.. they just gather every 4 years to play international basketball.. hero-ball and highlight reels are in their DNA.. it'll never change..
Now this argument I can take
Bingo! When you say the Dream Team can never be beaten by the USA Team 2012 or by any team for that matter really bothers me. In 1992, the world was caught unprepared for a powerhouse team such as the Dream Team. The mere mention of the names Bird, Magic, Barkley & of course the great Jordan sent shivers to everyone. Not only were they unprepared, but the other teams were also STARSTRUCK during games, as if they were playing against demi gods.
Over the years, the rest of the world has vastly evolved. Their attitude has changed ever since. They are no longer afraid or starstruck. Now, they believe that the USA Team can be defeated. The landscape has changed a lot since '92. Feeling nila they can take on the Americans, no matter how much talent team USA brings in. In 1992, the mindset was the Americans can never be beaten. No longer true in 2012.
So comparing the 1992 Dream Team versus the 2012 Team USA at face value and by mere stats alone, to me, is nonsense. Why? Because we fail to consider the vast achievements of the other countries. Plus many other factors.
And don't blame Kobe for this. Blame the media for asking silly questions such as, "Do you think you can beat Dream Team '92?" Do you think Kobe will answer with a wimpy "No" or "No Comment"? That's badass Black Mamba dude. Had they asked Durant, maybe the mild mannered KD will have a different answer and wala ng discussion ngayon
