Throw Away to Worthy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDv7w4ArbUM&hd=1

While I think most of us would agree that this squad vs. the Dream Team would be a close game, there's no contest between the two team's uniforms. The USA jerseys from the 1992 Olympics are much more pleasing to look at. While I don't mind the back of the current jerseys, the "USA" angular block font on the front looks awkward. http://spotlightauthentics.com/dream-team-signed-autograph-jersey.jpg http://c-product.images.fansedge.com/25-11/25-11689-Y.jpg

Even though Liverpool won't be in the Champs League next year he would def earn a higher weekly wage and play for one of the most storied clubs in Europe. On the other hand, some of the last transfers to LFC haven't panned out too well (e.g. Andy Carrol for 35 M GBP and Charlie Adam). I hope he stays but thats just bc I've become a big Fulham fan since the likes of McBride, Bocanegra, Keller and of course Dempsey all played at the Cottage. http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/57390000/jpg/_57390479_dempsey.jpg

I am not looking forward to this, but not surprised. It is sad to see these ppl stoop so low and risk alienating the fans. Not saying that I'll stop going to games but I'm def going to get a Kemba jersey now while it's still "clean." I'd be interested to know how much it would cost to sponsor a team like the Lakers, Knicks, or Heat, especially when considering the global impact of jersey sales in China, Europe and South America. Based on the most basic Google search it looks like Aon's deal with Man Utd is estimated to be just over $30M a yr. Soccer jerseys, however, have a much larger ad while the club patch is roughly the size of the ads NBA teams will wear. Imagine the disparity between the teams above and the Bobcats who I am afraid will end up with a horrible sponsor like Bengay, Preparation H, ExLax or Viagra. http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/bad-news-bears-cap1.jpg

I agree with Kobe on this issue. I understand why there is an age limit for soccer so the Olympics don't overshadow the World Cup but this rule would make no sense for basketball. Hopefully the Angel of Stern won't deprive us of enjoying watching Team USA play at its full potential.

Actually, he is from Myrtle Beach, SC which is a lil over 3 hours from the Queen City. I like this move, Rich Cho is slowly changing the culture of the Bobcats. Some players try harder when facing a bigger challenge and I'm hoping that Sessions (as well as BenGo) have that type of personality because Corey "I score 20+ pts with 0 ast" Maggette just quit trying last season

Let's take a closer look at both teams (I've included Dwight Howard, Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade just for fun)... I would take both Magic and Stockton over Rose, Williams, and Paul hands down: (Note all stats are from '91-92 and '11-12 unless otherwise noted) ----------------------------------Pts-----Reb-----Ast-----Blk-----Stl-----3P % Magic Johsnon (90-91)-----19.4-----7------ 12.5-----.2----- 1.3-----32 John Stockton----------------15.8-----3.3-----13.7-----.3----- 3---- 41 Chris Paul----------------------19.8-----3.6 ----- 9.1-----.1 -----2.5 ----- 37 Deron Williams----------------21 ----- 3.3 ----- 8.7----- .4----- 1.2----- 34 Derrick Rose-------------------21.8 ----- 3.4----- 7.9----- .7----- .9 ----- 31 Looking at Shooting Guards, the Dream Team has the advantage with the G.O.A.T: ------------------------------------Pts----- Reb----- Ast----- Blk----- Stl----- 3P % Michael Jordan----------------30.1----- 6.4----- 6.1----- .9----- 2.3----- 27 Clyde Drexler-------------------25----- 6.6----- 6.7----- .9 ----- 1.8----- 34 Chris Mullin---------------------25.6 ----- 5.6----- 3.5----- .8----- 2.1----- 37 Kobe Bryant---------------------27.9----- 5.4----- 4.6----- .3----- 1.2----- 30 Russell Westrbook-------------23.6----- 4.6----- 5.5----- .3----- 1.7----- 32 Dwyane Wade------------------22.1 ----- 4.8----- 4.6----- 1.3 ----- 1.7 ----- 27 James Harden------------------16.8----- 4.1----- 3.7 ----- .2 ----- 1 ----- 39 Although I think the Dream Team is better, the 2012 squad has better Small Forwards: --------------------------------------Pts----- Reb----- Ast----- Blk----- Stl----- 3P % Larry Bird-------------------------20.2----- 9.6 ----- 6.8----- .7----- .9----- 41 Scottie Pippen--------------------21------- 7.7----- 7----- 1.1----- 1.9----- 20 LeBron James-----------------27.1----- 7.9----- 6.2----- .8----- 1.2----- 36 Kevin Durant--------------------28----- 8----- 3.5----- 1.2----- 1.3----- 39 Carmelo Anthony--------------22.6----- 6.3----- 3.6----- .4----- 1.1----- 34 Andre Iguodala-----------------12.4----- 6.1----- 5.5----- .5----- 1.7----- 39 The 2012 team would get dominated in the front court (even with Dwight Howard who has nothing on the Admiral): --------------------------------------Pts----- Reb----- Ast----- Blk----- Stl----- 3P % David Robinson----------------23.2----- 12.2----- 2.7----- 4.5----- 2.3----- 0 Karl Malone----------------------28----- 11.2----- 3----- .6----- 1.3----- 18 Charles Barkley----------------25.2----- 11.5----- 3.9----- .6----- 1.9----- 22 Patrick Ewing-------------------24----- 11.2----- 1.9----- 3----- 1.1----- 17 Tyson Chandler----------------11.3----- 9.9----- .9----- 1.4----- .9----- 0 Kevin Love-----------------------26----- 13.3----- 2----- .5----- .9----- 37 Blake Griffin---------------------20.7----- 10.9----- 3.2----- .7----- .8----- 13 Dwight Howard----------------20.6----- 14.5----- 1.9----- 2.1----- 1.5----- 0 Note: Christian Laettner was not included in these stats as he would never see the court in this matchup and one can make a strong argument that he is the least deserving human of all time to own an Olympic gold medal. Avg. Age of Dream Team - 28.9 Avg. Age of 2012 Olympic Team - 26.2 Overall, this would be a tight matchup that could honestly go either way in one game, but I still believe that the Dream Team is better and would win in a best of 7 series in 6 or 7 games. Although the 2012 team is quicker, more athletic and has more versatile players, the Dream Team has advantages at 4 out of 5 positions (3 out of 5 at worse). The members of the Dream Team were more mature, but not past their prime which makes them tougher mentally in addition to being stronger physically across the board. The playes that make up the Dream Team compliment each other better than 2012 in that 2012 is loaded on the wing but weak down low. The point made earlier about the different styles of refereeing the game between today and the 90's is spot on and would definitely impact the outcome of the contest, but ultimately this comes down to the individual matchups. Pippen would have to start because he is the best suited player to shut down LeBron. MJ would own Kobe on both ends of the court. Magic was a much better distributor than Paul. Love isn't strong enough to hand with the likes of Malone, Ewing, Robinson, and Barkley. I feel like I am disrespecting David Robinson by mentioning Dwight Howard in the same sentence because the Admiral was much better on both ends of the court (people forget he averaged 4.5 Blocks per game in '91-92). Furthermore, the Dream Team has a much more talented bench. The 2012 squad has an advantage in perimeter shooting and could steal a win if they get hot from outside, but after looking more closely at the stats I'm reassured that the Dream Team is superior, although it would be the most entertaining 7-game series of all time. Edit: Sorry for the formatting issue, but unfortunately I cannot upload an excel spreadsheet

London 2012 Team U.S.A. Roster: LeBron James Kobe Bryant Kevin Durant Kevin Love Tyson Chandler Chris Paul Russell Westbrook Carmelo Anthony Deron Williams Andre Igoudala Blake Griffin James Harden Can't wait to watch these guys take the court. Almost everyone on that team can play multiple positions, I would love to see LeBron at point from time to time. What lineup would you start?

Would love to see this happen. Jamison played high school ball in Charlotte so he would instantly become a fan favorite.

I'd like to see Al Jefferson get a chance to tryout. It will be an interesting dynamic for Durant and LeBron; experiences together like this will make future Finals between OKC and Miami even more entertaining. Who would you start? PG - CP3 SG - Kobe SF - LeBron PF - Durant C - Love is what I expect to see, but if I were the coach I'd start LeBron at Point Forward, Kobe at the 2-guard, Durant at SF, Love at PF and Chandler at C because I believe that lineup would be incredibly entertaining.

Glenn Gould plays J.S.Bach Piano Concerto No.7 in G minor BW http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyOf_L4cNHc

Thanks BFT! Despite my score total, I had a lot of fun with this and really enjoyed piecing my mock together.

Wow...really surprised to see the Pacers pick Miles Plumlee.

Barnes will be a great fit at Golden State. Like seeing him represent: http://public.kenan-flagler.unc.edu/faculty/shivdasani/unc-duke%20corporate%20finance/kfbs_logo_black.jpg

I like MKG to the Bobcats. Although he is risker than Robinson, the Bobcats need to select the most talented player rather than the one who fills the biggest need because they will likely be in the lottery for the next several years.