Shaquille O'Neal provoca: 'Il mio Dream Team meglio di quello del 1992'

Nel suo podcast Shaquille O'Neal ha riacceso i riflettori sul cosiddetto "Dream Team II", la seconda squadra di professionisti della NBA che ha vestito la maglia della nazionale per i Mondiali FIBA del 1994 in Canada. Secondo Shaq, MVP di quella competizione, la sua squadra batterebbe anche il Dream Team "originale" di Barcellona 1992: "Li avremmo battuti facilmente. E meritavo di far parte della squadra originale". Ma ha ragione? Riscopriamo i due roster mettendo a confronto i loro membri e i loro risultati

BARCELONA - 1992: The United States Men's National Basketball Team pose for a photo at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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DREAM TEAM "ORIGINALE"

Competizione: Olimpiadi Barcellona 1992
Record: 8-0
Punti segnati: 938
Punti subiti: 588

BARCELONA, SPAIN - 1992: Magic Johnson #15 of the United States National Team passes during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Guardia titolare: MAGIC JOHNSON

BARCELONA, SPAIN - 1992: Michael Jordan #9 of the United States handles the ball during the 1992 Summer Olympics at the Palau Municipal d'Esports de Badalona in Barcelona, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Guardia titolare: MICHAEL JORDAN

BARCELONA, SPAIN - 1992: Scottie Pippen #8 of the United States handles the ball during the 1992 Summer Olympics at the Palau Municipal d'Esports de Badalona in Barcelona, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Ala titolare: SCOTTIE PIPPEN

BARCELONA, SPAIN - 1992: Karl Malone #11 of the United States National Team shoots during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Ala titolare: KARL MALONE

BARCELONA, SPAIN - 1992: Patrick Ewing #6 of the United States guards his position against Venezuela circa 1992 in the 1992 Summer Olympics at Palau Municipal d'Esports de Badalona in Barcelona, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Centro titolare: PATRICK EWING

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JOHN STOCKTON

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CHRIS MULLIN

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CLYDE DREXLER

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LARRY BIRD

BARCELONA, SPAIN - 1992: Charles Barlkley #14 of the United States National Team passes during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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CHARLES BARKLEY

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DAVID ROBINSON

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CHRISTIAN LAETTNER

BARCELONA, SPAIN - 1992: USA Men's National Basketball coaching staff (L-R) P.J. Carlisimo, Mike Krzyzewski, Chuck Daly and Lenny Wilkins look on from the bench during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1992 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Allenatore: CHUCK DALY

TORONTO - AUGUST 4: The USA Senior Men's National Team poses for a team picture prior to a game against the Spain Senior Men's National Team during the 1994 World Championships of Basketball on August 4, 1994 at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The United States defeated Spain 115-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1994 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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DREAM TEAM "II"

Competizione: Mondiali Canada 1994
Record: 8-0
Punti segnati: 961
Punti subiti: 659

TORONTO - AUGUST 7: Kevin Johnson #11 of the USA Senior Men's National Team against the Brazil Senior Men's National Team during the 1994 World Championships of Basketball on August 7, 1994 at the Toronto Skydome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The United States defeated Brazil 105-82. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1994 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Guardia titolare: KEVIN JOHNSON

TORONTO - AUGUST 9: Joe Dumars #4 of the USA Senior Men's National Team defends against the Australia Senior Men's National Team during the 1994 World Championships of Basketball on August 9, 1994 at the Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The United States defeated Australia 103-74. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1994 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Guardia titolare: JOE DUMARS

7 AUG 1994: USA'S REGGIE MILLER #10 MAKES A LAYUP AFTER BEATING BRAZIL'S CARLOS 'OLIVIA'DO NASCIMENTO #15 DOWN THE COURT ON A FAST BREAK DURING THEIR WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF BASKETBALL MATCHUP AT THE COPPS COLISEUM IN HAMILTON, ONTARIO, CANADA.USA DEFEATED

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Ala titolare: REGGIE MILLER

TORONTO - AUGUST 14: Shawn Kemp #7 of the USA Senior Men's National Team dunks against the Russian Senior Men's National Team during the 1994 World Championships of Basketball Gold Medal game on August 14, 2010 at the Toronto Skydome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The United States defeated Russia 137-91 to win the Gold medal. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Ala titolare: SHAWN KEMP

14 AUG 1994: DERRICK COLEMAN OF THE USA DREAM TEAM II SLAM DUNKS AGAINST RUSSIA DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL GAME IN THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS OF BASKETBALL AT THE SKYDOME STADIUM IN TORONTO, ONTARIO, CANADA. Mandatory Credit: Doug Pe

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Centro: DERRICK COLEMAN

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MARK PRICE

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DAN MAJERLE

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STEVE SMITH

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LARRY JOHNSON

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DOMINIQUE WILKINS

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ALONZO MOURNING

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SHAQUILLE O’NEAL

Votato come MVP della competizione e primo quintetto

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Allenatore: DON NELSON

TORONTO - AUGUST 14: Shaquille O'Neal #13 of the USA Senior Men's National Team rebounds against the Russian Senior Men's National Team during the 1994 World Championships of Basketball Gold Medal game on August 14, 2010 at the Toronto Skydome in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The United States defeated Russia 137-91 to win the Gold medal. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

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Pur evidentemente rispettando l'opinione di O'Neal, diventa difficile pensare che quella squadra di Barcellona 1992, con tutti i suoi membri al massimo della carriera (tranne nel caso di Larry Bird) avrebbe potuto perdere con chiunque, anche una squadra di altissimo profilo come quella del 1994. Su una cosa Shaq però ha sicuramente ragione: "Per noi è stato facilissimo vincere l'oro, uno scherzo. Ma per quelli di oggi non sarà così, nonostante il ritorno di LeBron e tutti gli altri il gap è molto, molto ridotto". Il futuro Dream Team di Parigi 2024 è avvisato

IL POSSIBILE ROSTER DI TEAM USA A PARIGI 2024