At last week’s Nike World Basketball Festival in D.C., STACK got a first-hand look at the talent-rich 2012 U.S. men’s Olympic basketball team, featuring LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul.
A hot debate continues about whether the 2012 team could have beaten the 1992 Dream Team. Kobe Bryant says “yes,” while original Dream Team Hall-of-Famers Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley say “no.” Well, actually, MJ laughed and Barkley said that only Bryant, James and Durant would have even made the 1992 team.
Rather than take sides in the Dream Team ’92 vs. ’12 “beef,” New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony expressed a desire to go back in time to just “be on the court…with those guys,” drawing motivation from their outstanding teamwork and performance. “If one of us were to go out there and try to put up 30, 35 points, it just wouldn’t work, but that’s what’s so fortunate about this team…you look around, and it’s like, just pick your poison.“
One thing we can agree on is that both rosters have the best athletes to ever play the game. If you could combine the two teams, who would you pick to be your starting five? Below is the complete list of players to choose from.

1992 Dream Team

• Magic Johnson
• Larry Bird
• Michael Jordan
• Charles Barkley
• Scottie Pippen
• Karl Malone
• David Robinson
• John Stockton
• Patrick Ewing
• Chris Mullin
• Clyde Drexler
• Christian Laettner

2012 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team

• Kobe Bryant
• Chris Paul
• Carmelo Anthony
• LeBron James
• Kevin Durant
• James Harden
• Tyson Chandler
• Russell Westbrook
• Kevin Love
• Deron Williams
• Andre Iguodala
• Anthony Davis

STACK’s starting five:  Magic Johnson (PG), Michael Jordan (SG), LeBron James (F), Kevin Durant (F) and David Robinson (C).  Magic wins the point guard position due to his experience and size. Jordan gets the starting spot over Kobe simply because there’s not enough room on the court for both of their egos, and Jordan was more explosive in 1992 than Kobe is today. We’re taking Durant over Bird because of Larry’s age and back issues in 1992. Although it’s not his natural position, LeBron wins the four spot. His versatility makes him more of a threat than either Barkley or Malone in 1992.  Finally, David Robinson is the obvious choice at center. Tyson Chandler rivals him on defense, but Chandler would be no match offensively. (Too bad Dwight Howard is unavailable.)
Now, it’s your turn. Name your starting five in the Comments field below, and give us your reasons.