We done with the 90’s.
After another gold medal for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics, I think it’s time for the best men’s team of all time to be crowned. While the 1992 team – also known as The Dream Team – is by far the most hyped team of all time, I’ll take the 2024 “Avengers” squad as the best ever.
In the 2024 Olympics, the competition was the highest it’s ever been with a record 81 players with NBA experience compared to just 22 in 1992. That shows how much the game has evolved and how much stronger world competition has gotten.
While these two teams can’t compete with each other in a real matchup, if they somehow could play, it would be the most anticipated match of all time
The Dream Team featured mostly Hall of Famers and was led offensively by Charles Barkley, who averaged 18 points per game, Michael Jordan with 15, and Karl Malone, who chipped in 13 a game. Most of the Dream Team’s points came from inside the paint, a strategy that may not be effective against the ’24 team. The 2024 team’s combination of Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, and Joel Embiid in the paint, along with the perimeter defense of Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and the versatile LeBron James, who can defend all positions on the court, would pose a significant challenge.
Even though the ‘24 team defense is very strong, there are some guys from ‘92 who you could only hope to contain like Barkley and Malone. But of course, Jordan is at the top of that criteria as he is the NBA’s all-time leader in points per game with 30.1. While he did not lead the ‘92 team in scoring, in this matchup I am sure that he would be a focal point for the Dream Team offense.
Offensively, with the game’s evolution, the ’92 team would not be able to keep up with the ’24 team. With the greatest shooter of all time, Stephen Curry, on the court he poses a threat as soon as he crosses half court. The Dream Team defense would be stretched out, which would open up the court for the other stars on the team.
Curry isn’t the only matchup problem on this team. With a 7-footer like Kevin Durant, who moves like a guard and possesses a lethal shot, the team can score against any defense. It appears as though Durant can score easily whenever he pleases. The ‘24 team also boasts the most versatile player in history, LeBron James, who just happens to be the NBA’s all-time leader in points. James is the ultimate Swiss Army knife, who can still demonstrate his high-flying abilities at 39 and is capable of posturizing anyone he faces. Another player embodying the ability to posterize opponents is the young Anthony Edwards, an athlete who is unafraid of any challenge and aims to dominate each time he is on the court.
While this game wouldn’t be a blowout, I have the Avengers coming out on top with relative ease winning 107-92.
