Dream Team Oral History

[RollWithEm]

http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/20...usa-basketball

It was always a silly rule. According to international basketball guidelines in place for decades, professionals from leagues all over the world could compete for their countries at the Olympics—but NBA players could not. The effect was to balance out America's towering advantage in the sport. You know, give the poor bastards a chance. The rule was dropped in April 1989, though, after the United States finished a humiliating third at the previous summer's Olympics in Seoul. Parity, everyone learned, wasn't nearly as captivating as dominance. And make no mistake: Dominating was as important as winning. The idea was to dazzle, to put on a display of American might so awe-inspiring that the best our rivals could hope for was a silver medal. Or even better, Michael Jordan's autograph.

[JoeyJoJo]

This was fantastic.

[RollWithEm]

DuPree: In my mind, there's 1992, and then there's all the other teams. You can flip a coin about which was the best of all the other teams. But '92 ain't in the coin flip.

I don't know if I agree.

[PauloCatarino]

Thorn: He got upset, so he started to score every time down the floor. One time he drove, and the refs called, like, a real tick-tack foul. So Magic booted the ball up to the ceiling: "This is ridiculous! Just like the NBA! He gets every call!"

lol.

So true.

[PauloCatarino]

Oh, and btw, Isiah getting blackballed from the Dream Team was a shame.

Who the heck was John Stockton at that point to get the nod over a dude who had just lead his team to back-to-back championships?

And Mullin over Nique?

But i guess politics (and MJ's will) prevailed...

[23AJ]

This is some great inside information. Easily the greatest basketball team ever assembled.

Chris Webber (college squad player): I rode from the airport in a limo with Larry Bird, and that was such an honor. We talked about playing against the Pistons, different moves, all this stuff. He was just a great dude. Then, as we got out of the car and I was getting my bags, he goes, "Make sure you get your sleep, because tomorrow I'm gonna bust your ass, and you're going to remember it the rest of the week."

Read More http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/20...#ixzz1xX5N3JG9

Hardaway: We went to MJ's room afterward and you know how college kids are: "Hey, man! Lemme get some shoes? Everything in your room—just let us have it, bro! I know you can get some more!"

Webber: Penny didn't tell you we were on a covert mission. I got socks. I got T-shirts. I asked Jordan for an earring. Some of the stuff I have, my grandkids will have to take it to the Hall of Fame, because I'm gonna keep it until I die. It was awesome. It was the best time. It was the best time.



Read More http://www.gq.com/sports/profiles/20...#ixzz1xX5uhqcD

[23AJ]

[carrrnuttt]

Originally Posted by RollWithEm

I don't know if I agree.

I don't know if srs.

[e-monk]

Originally Posted by PauloCatarino

Who the heck was John Stockton at that point to get the nod over a dude who had just lead his team to back-to-back championships?

a 4 time allstar who had already lead the league in assists 5 times and steals twice?

[RollWithEm]

Originally Posted by 23AJ

David Stern's reaction is the most priceless thing on this video by far.

[PauloCatarino]

Originally Posted by e-monk

a 4 time allstar who had already lead the league in assists 5 times and steals twice?

Which makes his resumé pretty much insignificant comparing to Zeke's (that was my point).

[e-monk]

Originally Posted by PauloCatarino

Which makes his resumé pretty much insignificant comparing to Zeke's (that was my point).

are you sure you know what that word means? or are you just arguing that Mike et al may have had an influence on who was picked and Mike et al didnt like Zeke? I expect you can just wait for the dream team documentary coming out tomorrow to hear all about that (and it waasnt just Mike apparently)

[e-monk]

P.J. Carlesimo (Team USA assistant coach): People look back and go, "Look at these other guys—why would they have a college guy?" People forget, Christian Laettner is arguably the best college player ever. Show me somebody else who accomplished what he did in four years.

is this why Sprewell choked him out? because he was this dumb? was Laettner named player of the year/naismith winner and final four most outstanding player of the year 3 straight years in a row? did he lead his team to a record of 88 and 2 while winning 3 ncaa titles in as many years?

[Dre]

Lang Whitaker >>>>

[Dre]

Originally Posted by e-monk

a 4 time allstar who had already lead the league in assists 5 times and steals twice?

FOH