1992 Dream Team vs. 2012 Team USA Basketball Simulation

Last week, Kobe Bryant stirred up debate by claiming that this year’s USA Basketball Team could beat the 1992 Dream Team.
 
6-time NBA Champion Michael Jordan laughed at the comment.
 
Charles Barkley?
 
“Besides Kobe, LeBron and Kevin Durant, I don’t think anyone else on their team would have made the 1992 team,” he said in a radio interview with ESPN.
 
While the two squads will never get to settle the score in a real head-to-head matchup on the hardwood floor, Strat-O-Matic has done the next best thing: simulate a best of seven series between the two teams.

GAME ONE
Team USA 2012: 115, 1992 Dream Team: 109

Summary: Chris Paul goes for 20 points and 11 assists to lead Team USA 2012 to a 115-109 upset over the 1992 Dream Team. Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley lead the Dream Team with 21 points each.

GAME TWO 
Summary: Michael Jordan scores a game-high 27 points, to go along with 7 rebounds and 6 assists as the Dream Team blows out Team USA 2012, 141-123. The Dream Team shoots a whopping 67% from the field, including 7-9 from downtown.

GAME THREE

Summary: Larry Bird drops 21 points in just 15 minutes of play, as the Dream Team takes Game 3, 127-120. Magic Johnson has 16 points and 9 assists. Kobe Bryant leads Team USA 2012 with 24 points.

GAME FOUR 
Summary: Charles Barkley cannot be stopped, scoring 22 points to go along with his series-high 15 rebounds in a 130-119 victory. Both teams shoot over 90% from the FT line in 30-plus attempts.

GAME FIVE 

Summary: The Dream Team rallies from an 8 point fourth quarter deficit to finish off Team USA 2012 in a nail-biter, 126-125. Michael Jordan scores 7 of his 17 points in the fourth quarter, including a pair of clutch free throws with five seconds left to give the Dream Team a four point lead. LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony lead Team USA with 17 points each.

1992 Dream Team wins series 4 games to 1.

STATS

Points
1992 Dream Team Leader: Michael Jordan, 20.0 ppg
2012 Team USA Leader: Kobe Bryant, 18.00 ppg


Rebounds
1992 Dream Team Leader: Charles Barkley, 7.8 rpg
2012 Team USA Leader: Tyson Chandler, 5.4 rpg

Assists
1992 Dream Team Leader: Magic Johnson, 7.6 apg
2012 Team USA Leader: Chris Paul, 7.4 apg

Steals
1992 Dream Team Leader: Scottie Pippen, 2.2 spg
2012 Team USA Leader: Chris Paul, 2.0 spg

Blocks
1992 Dream Team Leader: David Robinson, 1.4 bpg
2012 Team USA Leader: Tyson Chandler, 1.0 bpg
 

 
*Note: Simulation was conducted at the time of Kobe Bryant’s initial comments, which included Blake Griffin on the roster for Team USA 2012.