Does this even count as a win.

[Joe Vancil]

He's dedicated enough to show up.

I grant you, that's not much.  But it's more than 7 of the 12 WayOutWest named to his squad.

 

[westkoast]

He's dedicated enough to show up.

I grant you, that's not much.  But it's more than 7 of the 12 WayOutWest named to his squad.

I agree with you on Shaq and KG.  Kobe is not allowed to leave the country since he has pending legal troubles.  Kidd is set to have surgery done last I heard.  Not saying you personally Joe, but alot of people believe these guys are bound to their NBA team first and the USA team second.  Some would even get mad  (or call the players selfish) if these guys went off and pushed back surgery/healing.  If Kidd postponed surgery he would be hurting the team for most of the season.  

Are you comparing the terrorist thread after the gulf war to now?  Because there is a HUGE difference between then and now.  Not to say that Ray Allen and McGrady cant man up and show up anyways.

[Joe Vancil]

The "terrorist threat" is a fact of life.  These players play in big cities, in big venues, etc.  I see the "terrorist threat" as being no different now than then.  This kind of stuff has been going on for who knows how long.  The reality of it only hit home when the towers went down.  The players of now are in no more danger than the players back then were.

Kobe's legal troubles are of his own making.  Dream Team 1 didn't HAVE legal troubles.

As for surgery, Stockton played in the 1996 Olympics while hurt, played the NEXT SEASON - 1997 - hurt, tried to let rest heal the knee, and when that didn't help, he had surgery and missed something like 18 games.  Team finished with the best record in the league.  (Anyone want to argue that it shortened his career?  Didn't think so.)  Jason Kidd and Jermaine O'Neal don't get any sympathy points from me.

 

[Derek Bodner]

The "terrorist threat" is a fact of life. These players play in big cities, in big venues, etc. I see the "terrorist threat" as being no different now than then.

Are people going to refuse to play the knicks at MSG?

[westkoast]

The "terrorist threat" is a fact of life.  These players play in big cities, in big venues, etc.  I see the "terrorist threat" as being no different now than then.  This kind of stuff has been going on for who knows how long.  The reality of it only hit home when the towers went down.  The players of now are in no more danger than the players back then were.

 

I disagree.  While you are right it didnt hit home till the towers fell...there also wasnt as much activity.  Now there is quite a bit more than before.  Plus to top it off they are recruiting like no other because people see that they can attack a large body like the "mighty" US.

Thats pretty great for John and all but just because one guy's knee is able to withstand something like that doesn't mean another guy's will be able to do the same.  John Stockton was also not the ONLY good player on his team that year.  Jason Kidd, literally, is the only player on his team.

Yes Kobe got himself into legal trouble, that's beside the point.  He is unable to go no matter if he got himself into trouble or someone else did.   He is one of thee most dedicated players in the game today.

Also, wasn't 92 the first time we had an all pro team?  I think that provides alot of incentive to be apart of something of that caliber.

[WayOutWest]

Punk little arguments about "dedication", "terrorist fear" and "legal woes".

Like I've stated before, the match-up do NOT favor the original Dream team.  You would have to dig up an "all time" team to compete with the current crop.

Kareem/Wilt
McHale/Russel
KG/Pippen/Bird
MJ/Robertson/Bryant
Magic/Kidd

No fair making KG/Kobe/Kidd play against themselves either!

Nut up and stop with the "Rudy, Rudy, Rudy" arguements.