Dream vs. Redeem: Jazz Style

Posted by Johnathan Kendrick on September 09, 2008

‘Dream Team’

Shortly after Team USA left Beijing having recovered the Gold Medal in Men’s Basketball – the comparisons started and a question debated. Which team is better, “Dream Team” or “Redeem Team” – who would win if they could have somehow time warped and played each other. While the debate played out through the media the answer was almost always the “Dream Team.” For my part I would have to agree. After all it was a team formed of the best players in a golden era of basketball, featuring amongst other legends, a player arguably the best ever.

I wonder though, what would happen if you paired the teams down a bit, say follow the lead of another Olympic sport Volleyball/Beach Volleyball and featured a game of 2 on 2. More specifically, and I bet you can see where I am going with this one – Jazz Dream Team members vs. Jazz Redeem Team members.

The names fit so perfectly. For Jazz fans – Stockton and Malone were a dream. Unfortunately we all woke up from that dream a little too early and with no championship banner to hang from the rafters. If all goes to plan – Williams and Boozer are in town to redeem and recharge that championship quest.

‘Redeem Team’ (Nike Basketball)

Still in the case of the 2 on 2 battle, I would take the Stockton and Malone tandem. The Stockton/Williams match up would be tough to call. Stockton after all is Stockton – “The Best Pure Point Guard” to ever play the game. He found a way to do almost everything. Williams on the other hand is bigger and more physical and every bit the competitor. It would be a classic battle up top. Down in the paint though, Malone would dominate. That’s not a knock on Boozer – Malone was unstoppable on offense and an all NBA First Team defender. Because of that, I don’t think it would be that close.

Who knows though – hopefully much of the Williams/Boozer era has a while before it plays out. Maybe they will become the duo that turns Gold Metals into NBA championships.  Until then, the dream is still alive.

6 Comments

Mr. Bytheway on September 09, 2008 said:

Boozer guarding the Mailman? Hahahaha. Thanks for the laugh of my day.

Annie Whittaker on September 09, 2008 said:

How about the Christian Laetner vs. well never mind, I think we know who would lose in any of those match ups.

Jared Conger on September 09, 2008 said:

if the full compliment played the other who would guard who?
- stockton / deron
- magic / kidd
- clyde the glide / paul
- karl / bosh
- hakeem / howard
- robinson / boozer
- mullin / redd
- bird / wade
- jordan / kobe
- barkley / lebron
- laettner / tayshaun
- pippen / melo

wow, when you put them side by side, i still go with dream team over the redeem.
i don’t like melo, redd, or kidd.
but i would definately take boozer as the 12th man over laettner any day.

Annie Whittaker on September 10, 2008 said:

The Hakeem/Howard matchup intrigues me the most. Wish I could see that with both of them at their prime. Maybe it will be possible in ….THE FUTURE!!!!!

Jared Conger on September 10, 2008 said:

Annie, it just so happens i’m working on this delorean i bought, i just need enough road on a secluded street to hit 88 mph.

J R Stewart on September 10, 2008 said:

Christina Laetner. I’d totally forgotten she was even on the Dream Team.

Jazzaholic

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