Aug. 3, 2012 — A few weeks back we discussed the “good old days” of the NBA and how I feel that today’s league pales in comparison to the golden years of pro basketball.
Today, we will once again delve into another comparison of new versus old but this time it relates to the current sporting spectacle known as the Olympic Games.
The 2012 Summer Olympics have officially kicked off, and whether you like swimming, track and field, or a plethora of other sports, you are sure to find something to watch when you tune into major network television.
There is also another big sport which has seen its popularity rise immensely over the past 40 years, none other than the high-flying, fast-paced sport of basketball.
This year’s U. S. Olympic squad consists of some of the NBA’s most recognized stars, ranging from Lebron James to Kobe Bryant.
It is without much debate that these are often recognized by the world as the best players the sport has to offer and they come from right here in the USA.
International NBA star, San Antonio’s Tony Parker, fell victim Sunday to the overwhelming amount of talent on Team USA’s roster when France suffered a 20-point loss at its hands. It appears the boys in red, white and blue may once again find Olympic gold.
But is this the best team that the United States has ever seen? Although this year’s squad is very good, in my opinion, there is still one team that will never be outdone.
With a roster the likes of which have never been seen, the 1992 USA Olympic team was so full of talent they implemented an Olympic first by giving Team USA another name…The Dream Team.
The Dream Team’s roster consisted of 12 of the game’s best ever, including Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Charles Barkley, David Robinson, the list goes on.
This legendary group of superstars was a response to the United States placing third in the 1988 Summer Olympics. This did not sit well with the citizens of our proud country, and as a result, Team USA no longer used just college athletes to make up its squad, it used the best professionals the game had to offer.
Stars and stripes once again flew high as the Dream Team blasted its way through any competitor who dared take the challenge.
Manhandling opponents by an average of nearly 52 points a game, Sports Illustrated perhaps said it best, stating The Dream Team was, "arguably the most dominant squad ever assembled in any sport."
We live to win here in this country and we strive to be successful at whatever we put our minds to.
The 1992 Olympics USA men’s basketball team played the game with the heart and desire of the citizens it was representing. That’s something I hope to see with this year’s squad in the coming weeks.
Some say our pride has slipped in recent years here in America. Well, I say it is time to let that pride shine bright and show why we are supposed to be the greatest country in the world.
Have fun watching the Olympics my friends, and support our athletes, for they not only represent themselves and our nation, but they also represent our undying national spirit.
Here’s to the stars and stripes.
Grant Stevens can be reached at gstevens@themoreheadnews.com or by telephone at 784-4116.
