Bobby is currently the General Manager and Assistant Publisher at the Daily Statesman after serving his term as Managing Editor. He wears many hats in the office, including coordinator of all things online, but his real passion is sports.

Dream Team to Nightmare

Posted Tuesday, August 5, 2008, at 2:54 PM

Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson, John Stockton and Coach Chuck Daly made up the greatest team ever in Olympic Basketball.

I loved the Dream Team concept when it first came out. Most everyone did. You took 11 of the best players to have represented the golden age of NBA basketball and formed a team, as much dominate as they were ambassadors. You made team captains out of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the two players that dominated the 1980s an easily on most people's list of the top-five NBA players of all time, you add unstoppable Michael Jordan, physical anomaly and never-muzzled Charles Barkley, the leagues best due in John Stockton and Karl Malone, New York pivotman Patrick Ewing, sharpshooter Chris Mullin, high-flying Clyde Drexler, Jack-of-all-trades Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and (blech) one college senior, and what did you have (even with a college senior)- the best team ever assembled. I loved it. I still love it.

As much as the Dream Team are used as a reference point for what US National Teams have done in the past and will do in the future, the Dream Team wasn't without controversy - from the selection, to the games, to the aftermath where teams that followed were only Dream Teams on paper, and "nightmares on the court".

With the talent level decreasing and the negative attitudes increasing in the NBA and foreign countries expanding their game, what do you see coming out of this year's Olympics? Gold? Silver? Bronze? Headache? What do you think?

Comments

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They should win Gold, but so should have all the other ones. I think with Coach K at the helm, they will most likely win. That '92 Dream Team was by far the best basketball team ever assembled.

-- Posted by BonScott on Tue, Aug 5, 2008, at 3:31 PM
I agree Bon.... they SHOULD win Gold. Hopefully Coach K will put a damper on the NBA bad boy egos and keep them focused on the prize.

Man I hate watching today's typical NBA player when a foul is called on them. Someone can almost murder someone and they whine when the ref calls a foul.

In my day if you even crossed your eyes at a ref, you were 'outa here'!

-- Posted by Mustang,68 on Tue, Aug 5, 2008, at 4:22 PM
Set up for big time disappointment. Don't put too much stock in the coach on the bench boys......less control and influence than you think. This team is full of ego's and shades of rap/thug life that set themselves and all of us up for disappointment. Nothing will compare to '92...even that team was embroiled in the logo/covering up due to endorsement thing when receiving their medals. Can't say I am a fan of 25% of the players on this team....maybe not 15%, where as in '92 I can say I darn near idolized them all.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Tue, Aug 5, 2008, at 9:56 PM
Where's all the gansta tattoos?

-- Posted by Jim Morrison on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 12:54 AM
I don't think it's intelligent to base your predictions of this team on the performances of the 04 olympic team or the 02 world championships team. First of all, Coach K will do a much better job then Larry Brown did in 04. Brown clashed with members of that team. Coach K is well-known for his ability to build relationships with players. That's the reason he was selected to coach this team. The players wanted to play for him.

The players themselves are older and more mature. That 04 team was very, very young. The comments about players and the "thug" culture are bred from ignorance. Sounds like you need to look past the color of the skin. The only player on this roster that has even had trouble is Anthony. I don't think hes the first person in history to get a DUI.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 12:49 PM
Coaching won't make the difference in this...not even a little bit. How this group of superstars plays when they get into the late medal round games against fundamental Euro's will. If they stick together, take good shots, and play defense, they will win it. If they rush shots, play selfishly, and loaf on defense, they will be primed to be upset.

And you are right 5 on 5, I see NO signs of thug life in any of these guys and anyone who thinks that must be a racist. These guys are all terrific role models for the way youngsters should look, act, and play the game.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 1:15 PM
Do you guys smell that? I do, and I believe it's sarcasm. That's a good one Hoon. Hoon know as well as anyone that there is only about 1% of NBA players that could be good role models. And I agree with Charles Barkley, that the NBA players should not be the kids role models, their families should.

5on5, why do you suggest that the phrase "thug life" relates to the color of your skin. Nobody said anything about the color of the players skin, except you. If you are going to go that route, I can name you plenty of "thugs" in the NBA that have skin color opposite of who you are referring too.

-- Posted by BonScott on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 2:21 PM
Let the games begin! Wait.... I need popcorn.

-- Posted by Mustang,68 on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 3:41 PM
Okay...........................

Hoon: You say that coaching will have absolutely nothing to do/will make no difference in this. Let's see. The players will decide who plays where and when. They will also decide what takes place on offense and defense. They will decide when to switch defenses, when to call time-outs.....etc. They will also decide what "button" to push when they are in those late medal round games and they are pushed. I can just see those "immature" kids doing all the scouting of Argentina or Greece or Spain when they are not playing. This just scratches the surface. Maybe the coaching staff should sit on the side-line and eat and drink until they puke to test your theory? ha. You are actually partially correct. How they fair will depend on how well they play together against the late medal round foes. But if your assumption that coaching will play not part were correct there'd be no need for coaching at all and I'm quite sure you were probably around some good coaches in your time with as much knowledge as you have to offer.

Bon: Nice attempt at re-traction concering the thug comment. You are right about the color of skin having nothing to do with being a thug. There's only one problem in your defense of Hoon. How many white guys are on this year's olympic team? Don't worry. It's rhetorical. And Hoon if your looking to the NBA for role-models for kids your selling a ton of more qualified people short. Your comments are based on generalizations that usually come from ignorance.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 5:54 PM
5on5, I am going to go ahead and speak for Hoon. The role model thing was SARCASM!!! There is probably not one good role model in the NBA. And I have no idea about retracting any type of "thug" comment, I never once posted anything about "thug" except to comment about your post. And lastly, who cares how many white guys are on the team. You are talking about things that nobody posted. Get your facts straight before you start calling me ignorant.

-- Posted by BonScott on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 6:16 PM
My facts are straight. My original comment about "thugs" was directed at Hoon. He made a comment about this years olympic team and used the term "thug" as a reference. If you read all the posts you will see this. Therefore my comment directly pertains to what he originally said. He referred to the group of olympic players using the term "thug". There are no white players on this years team. It's not that hard to figure out what he meant. Of course you can spin it however you want on a computer.

As far as the role model thing goes. It's not hard to figure out that sarcasm was in play. But what you failed to figure out is, again in the original post he referred to members of the original dream team as those he "idolized". Maybe your computer does not show the post in English?

-- Posted by 5on5 on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 6:45 PM
5on5, you are correct. My computer is actually Ebonics. One of the "thugs" from the Olympic team helped me set it up. Thanks for your insight. You should be on the bench with Coach K with your knowledge of basketball and they would definitely win Gold.

-- Posted by BonScott on Wed, Aug 6, 2008, at 11:15 PM
5 on 5....good luck in next year's upward's program. I am sure your team will seek perfection with such a great leader like yourself. GO green team!

Thug=anyone talking so no one understands what the hell you are saying, wearing your pants or shorts so I can see your underwear, adding to your uniform so you will be noticed and separated from your team, acting like a rapper instead of a ball player/athlete, wearing more jewels on your neck and in your ears than you will ever earn on your fingers.

5on5....also wanted to congratulate you on your outstanding career as a 5'9" post player. Most 13 year olds aren't fully grown by the 8th grade.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 12:56 AM
haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Outstanding response. Looks like we have some crybabies on here. Seems you guys can dish it out but can't take it. I love it!!!!

Bon-Maybe you should look into a universal translator?

Hoon-If your definiton of "thug" is true then it looks like your picture sits just to the left of it in the dictionary. And just so you know I'm 6-1 although I was a rather short 5-2 in the 8th grade. My coaching experience does not extend much further than yelling at the TV but if you'd like we could hook up and compare notes. But judging from your synopsis of "Coach K and his uselessness" I'd say you don't want that either. So congratulations to you on your ability to make yourself look even more ignorant with each word you type.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 10:57 AM
Not ripping Coach K.....point was and is that Chuck Daly had little if anything to do with '92's Gold, Larry Brown didn't cause the '04 team to NOT win Gold, and Coach K will have little to do with whether these superstars win it or lose it.

What are you taking notes on? Interesting.

Bon, we caught us a Whopper!

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 1:01 PM
Point was not whether or not a coach caused a team to lose. Point was you said a coach will have nothing to do with the outcome. That is funny because you honestly believe your right. You simply don't know though.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 1:54 PM
Someone who knows as little as you could have coached in '92 and brought home the Gold. Coach K could have coached the same young bunch in '04 and disappointed. Each of these coaches are quality....Hall of Famers to be accurate, but have little to do with whether or not we win it.

I am just thankful I get to be enlightened by you. By the way, where did you play ball?

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 2:35 PM
Well someone needed to enlighten you. Might as well be me.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 4:36 PM
My guess is 5on5 never played organized b-ball. And if he did, he probably has a lot of splinters. But I don't know this for sure, he could have been an all-stater and also played in college. By the sound of it, I would say his knowledge of b-ball and scouting talent is tremendous. But hey, what do I know, I'm IGNORANT!!

-- Posted by BonScott on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 6:01 PM
Well you know ignorance is not always a bad thing. Maybe you just don't know.

I think it's cute how you and "hoon" take up for each other.

Most of this is good fun as far as I'm concerned but I have to say that hoon is off his rocker if he truely believes coaching will have NO part in the outcome of this year's olympics as far as Team USA is concerned.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 9:01 PM
Very little......

Bon, how much do you think 5 on 5 would wager on a best 2 out of 3 games to 10 against either of us...his pick? Would be worth unveiling to see it or play in it!

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 9:24 PM
That might be a good idea. I think I even still have a pair of b-ball shoes. Although we would definitely need a coach or we would never win....Lace 'em up baby!!

-- Posted by BonScott on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 10:11 PM
Uh....looks like we have a 2 on 1 fastbreak. 5ForFighting has some good points, except he played the race card.

With that I'd like to say that coaching will only play a part if the opposing coach puts a bucket of fried chicken and some 40's on our bench. Of course I'm kidding so don't get all po'd 5-0h.

Read the latest ESPN article on the effort we took to form this team. It is impressive. Coach K was selected b/c he is respected by many and is not tied to the NBA. This very select group wants to win and will come together for the GOLD. Then they will use the medals to make new grills for their teeth. I keed I keed!

-- Posted by layne staley on Thu, Aug 7, 2008, at 11:25 PM
This post is enough to raise Darrell from the dead. I agree with Layne - 5 on 5 (which I really think is some sexual reference - nothing to do with basketball) has some excellent points - but when he played the race card I lost some respect. I am all for the brotha who goes for the gold - and I am not just talking about the toof. I think all races; black, white, and hispanic should join together to bring home the gold. The blacks will play ball, the whites can "coach" and the hispanics can do all the work along the way. I have a feeling the hispanics would outwork most of these guys on defense. Again, with Layne, only kidding... please are you really making an issue of this 5/5!

So "5 white girls on 4 white guys and 1 brotha" - just curious, you never answered, you ride the pine or did were you a real baller? I think I know the answer but it might be fun to hear your response anyway.

If you guys get a game together let me know - I'll bring the camera and see if we can send in a pic to the statesman for whichever one of you goes undefeated.

-- Posted by dimebag darrell on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 1:46 AM
Good to see you Darrell. 5 Alive isn't a bad guy, you should have seen him in PE class. Oh, and also in college.....at the rec center.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 8:44 AM
Race Card? You guys are all out of touch. Is this the 65 and over blog?

-- Posted by 5on5 on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 9:22 AM
Out of touch? How do you figure? 5forfighting, you are going to have to explain yourself a little better. Half the stuff you have typed on here, I can't figure out. You jump all over the place with your comments and half the time it's about things that nobody has even mentioned.

I would seriously like to know your background in basketball. That may help me make a better assessment. As of right now, I truly believe you don't now squat. I need to know this because I am not going to debate a topic with someone who doesn't know jack s*** about it or never played it. Please enlighten me.

-- Posted by BonScott on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 9:32 AM
Yes "3 on 3 street ball tournament at Penermon", this is the 65 an older blog, we are out of touch, so please exit or don't gripe about our geriatric antics. You are a scorebook keeper, I can tell or you would have answered the question that has been posed to you about 12 times now. I will be much more cool at 65 than you are/ were at 25... trust me.

-- Posted by dimebag darrell on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 12:53 PM
Disclaimer-If you are unable to understand/comprehend typed language in English form you are unlikely to understand what is said. This is critical to intelligent debate.

Dime-I will be sure to bring the geratol to the next poker game you host at the KC hall. Scorebook keeper hey?

Bon-You are very funny. Ifyou don't have the time to debate with someone who does not know what they are talking about then why do you continue to respond?

You guys are all going to make me cry if you continue to gang up on me! LOL

-- Posted by 5on5 on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 4:01 PM
5forfighting, I told you that my computer is set in Ebonics, but I will try to switch it back to English so I can supposedly understand what you are talking about since I am IGNORANT.

So are you saying that you don't know what you are talking about and that your IQ on basketball is below the Mendoza line or are you referring to me? Just curious.

Send me your home address and I will mail you a box of Kleenex's since your feelings get hurt so easily.

-- Posted by BonScott on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 4:10 PM
just downgraded to waterboy, but at least you are making it a lively debate youngster...

-- Posted by dimebag darrell on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 7:04 PM

Bobby Greer's response:
Good stuff guys! I,m having some popcorn with Mustang!
Bon - the Mendoza line is baseball. Should have gone with a Shaq free throw % reference there, but I like the way you're thinking.

5 O'Clock Somewhere is hanging tough so give him credit. Not sure about the old comments b/c my lyrics say We Die Young:

"Watch where you spit

I'd advise you wait until it's over

Then you got hit

And you shoulda known better!"

"And We Die Young...Faster We Run"

-- Posted by layne staley on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 10:31 PM
Mendoza line? Man we've got another Senior Citizen that's on the ball baby!!!

5 is doing more than hanging tough. He's got you guys spinning your wheels. But remember. At you guys' age it's unwise to get too wound up unless you've greased the wheels underneath your chairs!!!!

-- Posted by 5on5 on Fri, Aug 8, 2008, at 10:55 PM
staley, I know what the Mendoza line refers to you retard. I was trying to make a point. You're starting to sound like the jackson5.

Speaking of 5&dime. I still can't figure out these senior citizen comments. I must have missed something along the way here. And the moron still won't answer about his b-ball background, because he doesn't have one.

I have officially checked 5on5 off the list, although I still need your address so I can send you some good reads on basketball. You need HELP!

-- Posted by BonScott on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 4:52 AM
No wheels spinning here. I would simply like to know where you played ball at and for whom? Would also consider revealing who I am in order to test your skills on a court somewhere. Let me know.

You could change your name to 1 on 1.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 10:33 AM
ah shucks bon..................Does this mean were not friends? I just don't think I can go on if were not friends.......................LOL

Hoon-You are cracking me up. Test my skills??? LOL I could tell you where I'm from and all that I've done but it really does not matter. That has little to do with why I'm right and you are wrong!!!

-- Posted by 5on5 on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 5:18 PM
Alright 5on5, I just want to let you know that my 14 year old niece types in 'acronyms' such as LOL, so now I have a good understanding on how old you might be. This is actually starting to clear things up a little bit. I am still curious however, why you think you are right and Hoon is wrong, when you haven't said one thing on here that would prove other wise. All you have done is talk in circles and thrown out the proverbial "race card".

I think I am seriously getting dumber by the minute typing back and forth with you. So we should get together for a beer and just talk hoops. Oh, that's right, you type in acronyms. Your not old enough to drink.

-- Posted by BonScott on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 6:56 PM
Alright 5on5, I just want to let you know that my 14 year old niece types in 'acronyms' such as LOL, so now I have a good understanding on how old you might be. This is actually starting to clear things up a little bit. I am still curious however, why you think you are right and Hoon is wrong, when you haven't said one thing on here that would prove other wise. All you have done is talk in circles and thrown out the proverbial "race card".

I think I am seriously getting dumber by the minute typing back and forth with you. So we should get together for a beer and just talk hoops. Oh, that's right, you type in acronyms. Your not old enough to drink.

-- Posted by BonScott on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 6:56 PM
I figured everyone would want to read that twice. My bad.

-- Posted by BonScott on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 7:00 PM
Alright Bon. I just wanted to let you know that my grandmother is blind in one eye and can't see out of the other. That might explain your lack of comprehension. Now I have a better understanding of how you actually are.

Talked in circles? I thought you got your computer fixed?

Research proves that those who think they are dumb...........are. But remember, you said it. Not me.

Talking hoops with you? That would be a short conversation.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 7:44 PM
Source me on that research John Wooden, I mean 5on5. But hey, statistics don't lie right. So maybe I am dumb or IGNORANT as you like to say. But I am still waiting for your answer on your b-ball knowledge. Because if it is actually yelling at your TV as you professed, this has actually been a fun debate and I got it right. You are a dumba**.

-- Posted by BonScott on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 9:04 PM
Bon you remind me of the athlete who has all the physical tools but is never able to put it all together without getting frustrated. You do okay for a while but once you see it's not going your way you always resort to namecalling. haha Besides your the one who spoke out about your own demise of intelligence. Not me. ha.

I crack up at your wanting to know the source of my bball knowledge/how much it is. I would say it's somewhere inbetween you and what would be considered average.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 9:59 PM
Once again, you have made false statements. You actually called Hoon and I IGNORANT in one of your earlier post, but that's OK. I have all the tools and just can't put it together. Maybe I should go practice, or study game film, or sit down and talk to you. Fact is 5on5, if your knowledge or ability on basketball was half of what mine is, you would be doing good. And I say this without even knowing who you are and I'm 100% confident in that.

86 5on5.

-- Posted by BonScott on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 10:27 PM
Lot of knowledge and talent sitting on the sidelines here.

-- Posted by I.B. Le Truth on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 10:41 PM
This has been fun.

27 Bon

-- Posted by 5on5 on Sat, Aug 9, 2008, at 11:17 PM
5FootNothing,

I like it. You have two BIG TIME basketball players on their heels. One more than the other, but they would both beat you in a free throw contest. Dont' worry, Hoon shot an airball at Bell City. He was overated and always had another guy taking charges.

Despite that, I heard 27 is the new 15 which will get you 10.

-- Posted by layne staley on Sun, Aug 10, 2008, at 4:30 AM
Smart choice kid....I guarantee you just saved yourself an *** kicking and some embarassment.

LS must have been smoking crack out back if he thinks I shot an air ball at BC.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Sun, Aug 10, 2008, at 12:01 PM
Rarely in my life has someone other than myself been the reason I was embarassed. Perhaps it's you that is benefitting from my decision?

-- Posted by 5on5 on Sun, Aug 10, 2008, at 3:05 PM
Nope. Its you genius.

But back on topic. So, if the US doesn't win the gold, it will be fair to blame Coach K for the disappointment?

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Sun, Aug 10, 2008, at 3:16 PM
Son I'd give you 7 in a game to 10 and the ball. I would say I could even keep score for you but that's only needed when one's score increases.

USA wins gold this time. Book it.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Sun, Aug 10, 2008, at 4:27 PM
I'll take Hoon to win by 10 in 5's scenario.

We win the gold, but it smells that these overpaid pros are playing in the Olympics.

-- Posted by layne staley on Sun, Aug 10, 2008, at 8:12 PM
Take the 7. In 6 months time nobody will know that you were spotted the 7 and you obviously need the positive reinforcement with your self-esteem based on all the namecalling.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Mon, Aug 11, 2008, at 11:14 AM
LOL

-- Posted by 5on5 on Mon, Aug 11, 2008, at 1:50 PM
Ouch Hoon! Seems like I remember a statement by you needing to be 'thick skinned' when it comes to blogging. Give the guy a break!

-- Posted by Mustang,68 on Mon, Aug 11, 2008, at 3:24 PM
Hawaii 5-0 as a Senior:

Coach X being interviewed after a nice win: "Coach X, great job, your team played well....blah blah blah"

Coach AFTER the interview being confronted by 5's folks: "Coach, why did 5 not get in the game until :38 in the fourth quarter when you were up 30? This is not fair, Coach. 5 has worked hard too, I mean, some of time. Well, he plays alot of basketball on his Gameboy. This is his last year, Coach."

Coach X: "Ma'am, I have to play whoever I think is going to give our team the best chance to win."

Translation: Your kid sucks and is lucky to have a uniform. One day he will yell at his TV and think he would make a great coach.

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Tue, Aug 12, 2008, at 8:23 AM
I have a feeling that hoon is the type that wants the last word not matter how goofy or dumb the words may be. Well you have them. I'm through with ametuer night.

-- Posted by 5on5 on Tue, Aug 12, 2008, at 10:04 AM
Thanks for competing!

-- Posted by shannonhoon on Tue, Aug 12, 2008, at 11:24 AM
AAAAAnnnnnnd Cut!! Good scene guys. That's a wrap.

-- Posted by BonScott on Tue, Aug 12, 2008, at 12:00 PM

Bobby Greer's response:
Amen Bon.... now lets talk about slant-eye wannabes.

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