Brian Thomas: Recently both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James of the 2012 Men’s Olympic Basketball team came out with comments saying they believe they could beat the “Dream Team” of 1992. Michael Jordan and other members of the “Dream Team” laughed at the comments made by Kobe and LeBron. Jordan also said there is no way the 2012 team could possibly beat them. So what do you think of their comment’s and do you believe that the 2012 team could actually beat the “Dream Team?”

Matt Hopkinson: I have absolutely one hundred percent confidence in what Kobe said to be completely false. There’s no way the currently comprised team could beat the 1992 team. When you look at the roster of the 1992 team, it’s like taking a History of Basketball 101 class. As much as I respect the ability of players such as Kobe and LeBron, the overall skill set and basketball IQ just isn’t there for this year’s mint.

BT: Just looking at 1992, there were 11 hall of famers on that team. The only player who was not inducted was Christian Laettner, who was still playing in college. Looking at this team I see Kobe, LeBron and probably Kevin Durant as the only players sure to reach the hall of fame.

MH: Not only was the overall talent so much greater for the 1992 team, pure physical traits alone make a big case. The 1992 roster featured only one player shorter than 6’6”, which was John Stockton, arguably the best true point guard ever. This year’s team has four players under 6’6”. The size and athletic ability of many players on the 1992 team would allow them to switch and cover so many positions it wouldn’t be a problem. Although invalid because of the time difference, the style of play from 1992 would be so much more physical than what this year’s team is used to. I suspect LeBron would be casting 26 footers all game when matched with Scottie Pippen.

BT: My question is how is the 2012 team, without Dwight Howard and Chris Bosh, supposed to defend some of the best big men of all time in Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Karl Malone and Charles Barkley? Tyson Chandler is a great defender, but not good enough to guard any of them, and then they bring in a college player in Anthony Davis, who would just be pushed around. I think the play in the paint would decide this matchup.

MH: No doubt that this group is not only undersized, but has nowhere near the experience of the “Dream Team.” Davis, James Harden and Russell Westbrook are all young and inexpierienced. I believe another one of the biggest factors is the strong amount of ball-hogs that this team consists of. The only reason we’re even talking about this issue right now is due to to the huge egos of LeBron and Kobe. Jordan, widely considered the best player ever, was the 1992 team’s fifth leading scorer. Let’s first see how the U.S. does once they actually get to gold medal game.