- Isiah Thomas was not included in the iconic 1992 Dream Team
- Michael Jordan was the face of the league and he had a strong opinion on the roster
- The iconic Dream Team could have been even better with two superstar players
Very few teams in NBA history have left as indelible a mark as the formation of the 1992 Dream Team. Comprising an ensemble cast of basketball legends like Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley, this iconic team showcased the epitome of basketball excellence on the grand stage of the Barcelona Olympics.
No surprise, the 1992 Dream Team were absolutely dominant in the Olympics. They won all five of their group-stage games convincingly, often with blowout margins before advancing to the knockout stage and eventually the gold medal game.
In the final, the Dream Team faced Croatia, a team led by the skilled Toni Kukoc and Drazen Petrovic. Despite a valiant effort from Croatia, the Dream Team emerged victorious with a 117-85 victory, securing the gold medal.
However, the Dream Team did not come without its controversy. Mainly, there were key absentees from the group of players that could have made the team, dare we say, even better. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird were the leaders of the team and were completely untouchable, but there were two major absentees that would have made the 1992 Dream Team even more unstoppable.
Due to player feuds stemming from Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and the “Bad Boys” Pistons star, along with some surprising inclusions (rookie Christian Laettner), the 1992 Dream Team was actually a polarizing team in some ways.
In order to create the “Perfect” 1992 Dream Team, we have taken the step forward to select the two superstar players who were snubbed from the roster and revolutionize what could have been an even greater side. Finally, the beef is overlooked, and an icon of the NBA game, Isiah Thomas is a part of the esteemed roster.
Isiah Thomas In, Chris Mullin Out
Isiah Thomas’ absence from the 1992 Dream Team roster can be attributed, in large part, to the strained relationships he had with key players like Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. The contentious rivalry between Thomas’ Detroit Pistons and Jordan’s Chicago Bulls was marked by physical play, intense competition, and lingering animosity.
Jordan, who was widely regarded as the face of the NBA and a central figure in assembling the Dream Team, reportedly voiced his strong reluctance to share a team with Thomas due to the deep-seated enmity between their respective squads. Remember, the Pistons knocked out Jordan and the Bulls three straight times in the playoffs in 1988 (second round), 1989 (Eastern Conference Finals) and 1990 (Eastern Conference Finals). That means the rivalry stemmed from on and off the court.
Additionally, Scottie Pippen, a critical piece of the Dream Team puzzle, was part of the Bulls team that experienced particularly acrimonious matchups against the Pistons. The potential disruption of team chemistry and the fear of interpersonal conflicts likely influenced the decision-makers to exclude Thomas, prioritizing a harmonious and unified team environment for the Olympics.
However, assuming the Team USA officials wanted to overlook beef and create harmony, selecting the second-best point guard in the world would have been the correct decision to make Team USA’s point guard depth even better. With Thomas in, a player must leave. The name has to be Chris Mullin.
Had Isiah Thomas been selected over Chris Mullin for the 1992 Dream Team, his distinct skill set as a playmaking point guard and defensive stalwart could have added a new dimension to the team’s composition.
Thomas’s exceptional court vision, dribbling finesse, and ability to orchestrate plays would have enriched the Dream Team’s offensive versatility, especially in setting up plays for the many scoring talents on the roster. Thomas was fresh off a 1992 NBA season, posting 18.5 points and 7.2 assists per game and was already a two-time NBA champion (1989 and 1990). Behind Magic Johnson, Thomas would have been a killer off the bench.
No doubt, in reality, Thomas’ presence could have reignited tensions with certain players, considering his history with Jordan and Pippen. But if Thomas would join the squad, there might be a burying of the hatchet between the face of the Dream Team and the competitive Bad Boys star.
Shaquille O’Neal In, Christian Laettner Out
The next major inclusion has to be Shaquille O’Neal, the 20-year-old rookie who was taken No. 1 overall in the 1992 NBA Draft.
Shaquille O’Neal’s absence from the 1992 Dream Team roster can be attributed to a combination of factors. At the time of the team’s selection, Shaq was a college player, just completing his sophomore year at LSU. The Dream Team largely consisted of established NBA stars, and the selection committee might have leaned towards including players with more professional experience.
Additionally, the center position was already well-represented on the team with players like David Robinson and Patrick Ewing, both of whom were accomplished NBA big men. While Shaq’s potential was evident, he had yet to prove himself on the international stage and might not have been seen as a necessity for the team’s success at that particular moment.
No doubt, the officials made a big mistake there. The Dream Team selected Christian Laettner, the No. 3 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft, but he was nowhere near as dominant as Shaq. We would see that as O’Neal would end up winning Rookie of the Year by averaging 23.4 points and 13.9 rebounds per game compared to Laettner’s averages of 18.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.
Had Shaquille O’Neal been chosen over Christian Laettner for the 1992 Dream Team, his dominant physical presence and unique blend of size, strength, and agility could have offered the team an imposing interior force. Shaq’s ability to protect the rim, score in the post, and control the boards would have added a new dimension to the Dream Team’s lineup.
His athleticism and potential for highlight-reel dunks could have energized the team and the fans alike. Laettner, coming off a successful college career and known for his versatility, brought a skill set that blended well with the team’s style of play in terms of all-around skill set. But Shaq was another type of superstar who would have challenged David Robinson and Patrick Ewing for the starting spot.
Perhaps the Team USA coaches did not want the two veterans to feel misplaced in the lineup and selecting Laettner might have been the “team-friendly” choice instead of trying to instigate competition with an impactful presence like Shaquille O’Neal. Regardless, Shaq should have been on the 1992 Dream Team as the best rookie on the roster instead of Laettner.
Will This Team Have Chemistry And Harmony?
The potential inclusion of Isiah Thomas in the 1992 Dream Team alongside Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen would likely have reignited the longstanding tensions and conflicts. The Pistons, known as the “Bad Boys,” employed aggressive tactics against Jordan to prevent his scoring, and their physical style of play often crossed the line of sportsmanship.
This led to a deep-seated animosity between the two teams, and personal conflicts between Jordan and Thomas became part of basketball lore. Considering the Dream Team’s goal of representing the United States on the international stage, the selection committee and team management were acutely aware of the potential for discord if Thomas were to be included.
Not to mention, if the face of the team did not want Thomas, there was no way the point guard would be on.
However, in order to force chemistry, perhaps Thomas could have been included because no matter how badly the iconic point guard felt towards Jordan and even Pippen, he wanted to win basketball games as badly as anyone else.
That meant it was more than likely that Jordan and Thomas could have overlooked their tension and by competing against each other alongside other future Hall of Famers, their beef might have ended then and there instead of lasting until today.
Meanwhile, the inclusion of Shaquille O’Neal might have even been risky in terms of unsettling the established American centers. Shaq was a dominant and impactful presence on and off the court, even as a rookie, and instead of potentially trying to avoid team competition, including The Diesel would have changed the dynamic of the roster.
No doubt, O’Neal would have tried to prove he was the best big man on the team and that would have made the insane practices even more intense and exciting.
Overall, while there was an obvious risk for including Thomas and even O’Neal, it is more than likely that Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and head coach Chuck Daly might have been the leaders capable of settling beef and getting Jordan, Pippen, and Thomas focused on the common goal.
If Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler, rivals who were the two elite shooting guards in the NBA, could get along, it is likely that Jordan might be willing to overlook and respect the legendary Isiah Thomas on his team. If it was to happen, the Dream Team roster would be even scarier.
Revolutionized 1992 USA Dream Team Roster
With Isiah Thomas and Shaquille O’Neal, here is what the “Revolutionized 1992 Dream Team” would have looked like in terms of depth at each position.
Point Guards: Magic Johnson, Isiah Thomas, John Stockton
Shooting Guards: Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler
Small Forwards: Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen
Power Forwards: Charles Barkley, Karl Malone
Centers: David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O’Neal
Clearly, the 1992 Dream Team roster looks even better with Isiah Thomas and Shaquille O’Neal included instead of Chris Mullin and Christian Laettner.
This selection of point guards offers a unique blend of playmaking, court vision, and leadership. Magic Johnson’s exceptional ability to facilitate and create opportunities for teammates would have been complemented by Isiah Thomas’s tenacity and versatile skills.
John Stockton’s precision passing and defensive prowess would have added depth to this key position, ensuring a steady distribution of the ball and maintaining offensive flow.
Thomas would also provide the edge needed to push the other two talented playmakers to control the pace of the game on another level. There is no doubt that Thomas would want to be the starting point guard, and his play would resonate with the rest of the team.
Clearly, the presence of Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player in the game, alongside Clyde Drexler, another elite shooting guard, would have created an unparalleled backcourt tandem with the three stars at the point guard spots.
Meanwhile, Larry Bird’s unmatched basketball IQ and shooting prowess, combined with Scottie Pippen’s defensive versatility and all-around game, would have made for an exceptional pair of small forwards. Having Charles Barkley and Karl Malone were also no-brainers because both can score and rebound at elite levels as they play off the new trio of centers.
The presence of three dominant centers—David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and Shaquille O’Neal—would have offered a blend of shot-blocking, rim protection, and offensive force. Robinson’s athleticism, Ewing’s polished post game, and Shaq’s sheer size and power would have presented a rotation that could handle any frontcourt matchup.
Having O’Neal down low would have pushed Robinson and Ewing to be even more dominant inside and no country in the world could have stopped them.
The 1992 Dream Team Is Superhuman And Long-Time Beefs End
The 1992 Dream Team would have been an even greater collection of stars. For one, this roster boasts a remarkable blend of versatility. The ability of many players to excel in multiple facets of the game, such as Magic Johnson’s playmaking or Scottie Pippen’s defensive prowess, would have given the team flexibility in various situations.
With an array of scoring options like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, and Charles Barkley, the team would have had no shortage of offensive firepower. The presence of three dominant centers—David Robinson, Patrick Ewing, and Shaquille O’Neal—would have provided strong rim protection, rebounding, and interior scoring.
Considering the 1992 Dream Team went undefeated and won most games by blowout margins, it would have been even more unfair to the opposition once Isiah Thomas and Shaquille O’Neal were included.
The Dream Team was considered the greatest collection of NBA stars ever, but Thomas and O’Neal would have been even more impactful stars than Chris Mullin and Christian Laettner.
Going undefeated would be a foregone conclusion, but this Revolutionized Dream Team would destroy the opposition in completely unfair circumstances without a single game coming close.
Not even the Finalist Croatia would have a chance and they might have lost by 25 points or even more. Most importantly, perhaps, the deserved players would have been included in the esteemed roster.
If Thomas had been on the team, it is likely that the Dream Team culture could have ended the beef. Until today, Jordan and Thomas do not like each other and each one tends to throw shots at any moment possible.
By participating in the greatest event in American basketball history, perhaps the feud would have been squashed as early as in the 1993 NBA season instead of dragging on decades later.
The fact that Thomas was forced out due to Jordan, Pippen, and the Team USA coaches only made the friction worse. Rather, bringing Thomas on board to revolutionize the team alongside Shaquille O’Neal could have rewritten history on how the famed competitors are looked at throughout basketball lore.
