“If we all stay healthy, we have a chance to have a very special group,” he said. Grant Hilltechnical manager of USA Basketball a few months ago when, in an interview with MDwas asked about the composition of the 2024 Olympic team.
The intuition of hill This is confirmed in the selection of a team that can match the best All Star team in previous seasons. lebron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry They lead the group of the highest-level players assembled in basketball in recent decades, a selection that for the first time in a long time will allow comparison to that mythical Dream Team of 1992. Kawhi Leonardwho was the last to join the group, was eventually ruled out due to his knee problems but his absence was covered by another high-level player in his prime, NBA champion Celtics point guard Derrick White.
The parameters of the ’92 team and this one from 2024 are identical in characteristic numbers: in height Barcelona It reached 2.03 compared to the current 2.02. Also in terms of average age (both 29 years old) they are comparable, even though there was a feeling in 1992 that the group of players were in a good majority at the end of their careers than at present, due to the larger As athletes age, many may have more mileage.
The level of excellence in terms of titles achieved is also similar: among the members of the ’92 team there are 33 championships of NBA3 MVP of finals and 17 participation in All Star. In the 2024 team there are 16 championship rings, 3 MVP of finals and 38 participation in All Star.
Where they mainly differ is in international experience and experience outside of the NBA. Magic was only on the ’92 team JohnsonMichael Jordan and Chris Mullin They have had previous experience with the national team while in the 2024 team the majority of players have played in World Cups. Americas Cups or Games from a young age, so they have more experience in FIBAcompetitions.
“The game FIBA It is very different from us. We need people who have experience in this type of game, either in the last decade or in the last championship. The teams with medal options are very clear about this,” explained Grant. hill.
Yes to Dream Team In ’92 there was controversy over the selection of some players and even a star of Isiah’s stature was missing. Thomas, currently there has also been a debate. Many are wondering, above all else, why the reigning NBA Finals MVP, the Celtics guard Jaylen Brown, is not taken into account when making equipment. The most unconsidered came to associate his exclusion with the criticism that Brown launched against Nike when this company suspended its contract with Kyrie Irving.
Even without him, the cast of stars is such that their status as favorites is undisputed, although perhaps the respect and fear of rivals is not the same as seen in ’92.
“We can guarantee that our rivals won’t be taking pictures of them before games and that speaks volumes about the changes that basketball has experienced around the world,” Grant said. hill. “Without diminishing what the ’92s cultivated, they’ll work us hard.”
Source: La Verdad
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