Let's retire 'Dream' from teams now and forever

Sporting News, The, August 22, 1994 by Shaun Powell

In the recent World Championship of Basketball, the U.S. team simply couldn't lose. But on a larger scale, Dream Team II couldn't win, either.

Dream Team II was hounded by the ghosts of the original Dream Team. Before, during and after the tournament, Dream II heard it from fans, opponents and the media that it simply didn't compare in any way, shape or form to the greatest collection of basketball talent in history. There was nothing the team could do in Toronto to rectify that, either. When it won big, it was expected. When the U.S. players struggled in the opener against Spain, they weren't worthy of being Americans.

After losing to the U.S., one Brazilian player said: "Physically, they are stronger than Dream I but something is lacking. There is some kind of philosophy or character or approach that these guys don't have."

Some of the abuse came from even those who played on the legendary Barcelona team. Michael Jordan told the New York Post that the original Dream Team could beat Dream Jr. "right now," despite the fact he, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird have retired, Charles Barkley has a bad back and Clyde Drexler is on the downside of his career. Johnson supported Jordan's claim, adding, "I don't even know why we're talking about this. There'd be no contest. If we played them 10 times, we'd beat them 10 times."

Don Nelson had a tougher coaching job than Chuck Daly, mostly because of the minutes crunch. Daly didn't have that problem because John Stockton, Bird and Johnson were nursing injuries, and as the only college player, Christian Laettner was given a reduced role. Nelson's team, however, had plenty of minutes-hungry players eager to get their 15 minutes of international fame and showcase the latest line from their sneaker company.

Egos were mostly suppressed on Dream I, but they surfaced often in Toronto. When Dominique Wilkins sat for all but the final five minutes in the opener, he pouted afterward. True, Nelson should've played Wilkins more, especially considering 'Nique has tenure on a team of mostly young players. But Wilkins, who said sitting was "something I'm not used to" and "shouldn't have happened," could have expressed his displeasure in a more private way.

With trash-talking and taunting, now as much a part of the NBA as the jump shot, there was plenty of "cultural exchange" from the Americans to the other countries' teams.

"We were just here trying to share the experience with them, and we were taken off guard by the way they were treating us," Australia's Andrew Gaze says. "I guess it's part of their game."

For the most part, the talk was lively and harmless and added excitement to games well-decided in the opening half. Still, as the overwhelming world basketball power, maybe U.S. players should have exercised better restraint. They were seen as ambassadors of the sport, whether they wanted that responsibility or not.

Don't expect NBA players to make a gradual exit from international play. The demand to be included on the 1996 Olympic team will be high, because the games will be held in the United States. There are other reasons NBA players will want spots on future World Championship teams, most of them involving marketing and exposure. Plus, it has suddenly become vogue for every All-Star to have a gold medal on his resume.

But if we're going to have to witness more U.S.-China blowouts in the future, the United States should give one thing a rest.

The term "Dream Team" should be retired. There was only one team worth dreaming about, and it involved players who were true legends of the game -- not players who are legends in their own minds.

Around the league

On the labor front, here's what not to expect: a strike. The NBA has never had one, the players don't want one and players' union Executive Director Charles Grantham says one would happen only if absolutely necessary. Here's what you can expect: a lengthy negotiating period. There probably won't be a new labor agreement when the season opens in November.... If Scottie Pippen is going anywhere, it appears to be Miami, and Steve Smith could be part of the package.... Don't be surprised if the Lakers buy out the remainder of James Worthy's contract and forge ahead with their rebuilding plans.... The Suns reportedly aren't happy over Charles Barkley's recent decision to forgo his back rehabilitation in favor of playing golf. ... The leading candidate for the Toronto Raptors coaching job remains Jim Cleamons, an assistant with the Bulls. Isiah Thomas, who runs the Raptors is a fan of Cleamons. ... Now that the Hornets have Robert Parish, Alonzo Mourning will get some minutes at power forward, which may be his natural position. ... The Suns, who traded Mark West to Detroit only because they thought they had a shot at Parish, are now left with Joe Kleine and Oliver Miller at center. Kleine doesn't appear to be ready for major minutes, and Miller has checked into a weight reduction program for the second time in three years.