I am officially on Vacation with my Wife (soon to be kid) and the rest of my family. It hit when i had my iphone on the NBCOlympics app watching the 1500m finals...at the beach...getting my tan on, and the occasional swim myself. Although I'd rather have swam in a pool than the ocean. I wanted to be able to touch on some Olympics before it was over so I didn't totally ignore this wonderful event that only takes place every 2 years (if you count the Winter ones). I wanted to first congratulate NBC on the intense coverage through Mobile, web and TV. The coverage (while I haven't been a huge fan of the commentary) has been the best since I have been alive, thanks in part to the growth of technology in my young life. I haven't been able to watch as much as I have in the past because I have to work during the week, but this year I have broadened the types of sports I have watched
Usually I stuck to the Gymnastics, Track & Field, Swimming, diving, Beach Volleyball. This year I have watched the likes of Archery, Judo, Badminton, Canoe/Kayak, Handball, Water Polo, Shooting, Tennis, Sailing, Equestrian, as well as my usually favorites I already listed. While my favorite sport has just got underway, in case you haven't watched any Olympics I wanted to touch on some USA highlights and low lights so far.
Highlights:
Michael Phelps becomes the winningest Olympian ever with 22 Medals (18 of which Gold)
Serena Williams wins gold by crushing Maria Sharapova in the finals
Dana Vollmer Gold Medals
U.S. team nabs Silver behind Great Britain in Cycling
15 Year Old Katie Ledecky takes home gold in the Women's 800m freestyle
Missy Franklin wins gold and sets a world record for the 200m Backstroke
The one MIANER Elle Logan was part of the US Women's Crew Gold medalists
Gabby Douglas wins gold in both individual and team all-around gymnastics competitions
USA Mens basketball beats Nigeria by 83 points, more points than Nigeria actually scored
Kayla Harrison makes history by winning Gold for the first time ever in Judo for USA
Rebecca Soni sets the 200m Breaststroke world record by 2.5 seconds in a Gold Medal win
I am sure I have missed some events, sorry I didn't mention a bunch of Badmintoners getting kicked out for losing on purpose...wait I just did. There are still some sweet stories out there for the next week.
I am unbelievably excited for the 100m Mens dual between Usain Bolt and Justin Gaitlin to see who is the fastest man in the world. as well as every other track event. Although I refuse to watch the Mens basketball, I will still keep an eye and see if they can step up and prove they are better than 1992. Still a week of greatness to be had. Although John Isner was kicked out, the Andy Murray Roger Federer finals tennis I believe will be a match for the ages.
What a great thing to have take our minds off the bad in the world right now. Olympics couldn't have had better timing if you ask me.
Showing posts with label olympics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label olympics. Show all posts
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
1992 vs. 2012
Who is a better "Dream Team"? There has been much debate and a whole lot of trash talk between the two sides, each supporting their own team in the matter. So let's break it down like it was 1992 Team playing against the 2012 team in the Gold Medal Game. First let's take a look at each roster:
1992 (wiki info on team) 2012(this years team info and stats)
Christian Leattner Carmelo Anthony
David Robinson Kobe Bryant
Patrick Ewing Tyson Chandler
Larry Bird Anthony Davis
Scottie Pippen Kevin Durant
Michael Jordan James Harden
Clyde Drexler Andre Igoudala
Karl Malone Lebron James
John Stockton Kevin Love
Chris Mullen Chris Paul
Charles Barkley Russell Westbrook
Magic Johnson Deron Williams
1st of all, Is this really a debate?? 2nd of all...Is this even a debate. Every player on the 1992 Dream team is an eventual hall of famer, if they already aren't in the HOF. I can see 4 maybe 5 hall of famers on the 2012 team.
Size wise, 1992 takes the cake easily with Leattner, Ewing and Robinson all 7 feet tall. Then you have the bruiser Barkley, who is a little shorter but 250 pounds of Get the F*%$ Out of The Way. Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love and experience-less Anthony Davis are not as impressive by any means. The one area where the 2012 team is stronger is the 3 spot. With Lebron and Durantula, they are just too athletic for the likes of Bird, Pippen or Mullen.
But then you think about JORDAN(wiki info), coming off his second straight 30ppg MVP season, repeat champion, and most dominant player in the league then. Jordan would take up most of the defensive time and would easily free up Clyde the Glide or Malone(King of the pick and roll) in pick and roll situations.
The newest generation of Point guard isn't even a point guard anymore, the more successful, talked about PGs are the ones who do most of the scoring for the team, Chris Paul, Westbrook and WIlliams, all very good at scoring but inconsistent with passing or sharing...Wait isn't that important for the point guard to do, share?... Bring into the conversation, the two best point guards of the 1992 generation, Stockton and Magic, who were poetic with their moves and passes. It was an art form to pass like Magic did. I just don't see an instance where this years Olympic team can beat the 1992 Dream Team. Im my eyes, there will only ever be 1 Dream Team.
Is there a possible group of 2012 players that could beat the Dream Team(1992 obviously), I will give it a shot to assemble the best of 2012 and You can let me know how I did:
Rajon Rondo (not because I'm a homer, but because his court vision is unreal)
Steve Nash (not sure if he can play for USA or not, He is Canadien eh)
Chris Paul
Dwyane Wade
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James
Kevin Durant
LaMarcus Aldridge
Blake Griffin
Dwight Howard
Andrew Bynum
Roy Hibbert
I can't think of anyone else. I still can't see this team beating the "old team" but It would be closer. Hands down the 1992 Olympics team would beat this years olympics team 19 out of 20 times. The 20th game being the one they hand over because they feel bad.
Christian Leattner Carmelo Anthony
David Robinson Kobe Bryant
Patrick Ewing Tyson Chandler
Larry Bird Anthony Davis
Scottie Pippen Kevin Durant
Michael Jordan James Harden
Clyde Drexler Andre Igoudala
Karl Malone Lebron James
John Stockton Kevin Love
Chris Mullen Chris Paul
Charles Barkley Russell Westbrook
Magic Johnson Deron Williams
1st of all, Is this really a debate?? 2nd of all...Is this even a debate. Every player on the 1992 Dream team is an eventual hall of famer, if they already aren't in the HOF. I can see 4 maybe 5 hall of famers on the 2012 team.
Size wise, 1992 takes the cake easily with Leattner, Ewing and Robinson all 7 feet tall. Then you have the bruiser Barkley, who is a little shorter but 250 pounds of Get the F*%$ Out of The Way. Tyson Chandler, Kevin Love and experience-less Anthony Davis are not as impressive by any means. The one area where the 2012 team is stronger is the 3 spot. With Lebron and Durantula, they are just too athletic for the likes of Bird, Pippen or Mullen.
But then you think about JORDAN(wiki info), coming off his second straight 30ppg MVP season, repeat champion, and most dominant player in the league then. Jordan would take up most of the defensive time and would easily free up Clyde the Glide or Malone(King of the pick and roll) in pick and roll situations.
The newest generation of Point guard isn't even a point guard anymore, the more successful, talked about PGs are the ones who do most of the scoring for the team, Chris Paul, Westbrook and WIlliams, all very good at scoring but inconsistent with passing or sharing...Wait isn't that important for the point guard to do, share?... Bring into the conversation, the two best point guards of the 1992 generation, Stockton and Magic, who were poetic with their moves and passes. It was an art form to pass like Magic did. I just don't see an instance where this years Olympic team can beat the 1992 Dream Team. Im my eyes, there will only ever be 1 Dream Team.
Is there a possible group of 2012 players that could beat the Dream Team(1992 obviously), I will give it a shot to assemble the best of 2012 and You can let me know how I did:
Rajon Rondo (not because I'm a homer, but because his court vision is unreal)
Steve Nash (not sure if he can play for USA or not, He is Canadien eh)
Chris Paul
Dwyane Wade
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James
Kevin Durant
LaMarcus Aldridge
Blake Griffin
Dwight Howard
Andrew Bynum
Roy Hibbert
I can't think of anyone else. I still can't see this team beating the "old team" but It would be closer. Hands down the 1992 Olympics team would beat this years olympics team 19 out of 20 times. The 20th game being the one they hand over because they feel bad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)