The LEB Sports
Dallas Sports News & OpinionsDream Team v. Redeem Team (Part II)
POWER FORWARD
1992: Karl Malone & Charles Barkley
Much of today’s NBA game is built around the pick and roll but no one’s done it better than Karl Malone and John Stockton. As one half of this unit, “The Mailman” will be remembered for revolutionizing the PF position. Sir Charles has made a name for himself as the most controversial NBA analyst on the block. Focusing on their game, this combination is tough to beat. Does it matter who starts? The effort & intensity that Barkley played with was the perfect compliment for Malone’s strength and agility.
2008: Chris Bosh & Carlos Boozer
Toronto’s Chris Bosh has proven to be all about hustle in these Olympic games. Hidden in NBA obscurity by playing north of the border, Bosh isn’t too well known by casual hoops fans. Dallasites, however, have closely followed him from Dallas Lincoln HS to Georgia Tech and now to the Toronto Raptors where he’s a perinial all-star. Carlos Boozer has a game with very little flash. He’s efficient but not showy. He’s probably best known the way he bolted on the Cleveland Cavaliers for greener pastures in Utah. At this point, Jazz fans hope that he and Derron Williams (also on the Redeem Team) are the second coming of “Stockton to Malone” but that has yet to be seen.
Advantage: Dream Team
Another no-brainer. Again, this may be a product of the changes in the international game because Bosh’s production as a center in Beijing has been incredibly valuable but he would lack the strength to defend either Malone or Barkley in the post. Boozer’s minutes during the Olympics have been minuscule because his game is played closer to the basket and the removal of a three second violation in the international game lessens his value. In the open court, give me the Redeem Team but in a half-court game, this unit from the Dream Team would dominate.
Other positions:
Small Forwards: Bird & Mullin vs. James, Anthony, Prince
Centers: Ewing & Robinson vs. Howard
It must also be mentioned that in 1992, Malone had a profitable wrestling career ahead of him…
Malone and DDP
Tom H said on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 10:46
I know Bosh is a great player, but I will take Malone and Barkley open or half-court. The Mailman rules!!! He is the best combination of power and speed to ever play in the NBA.
Taylor said on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 10:53
Mailman was great, but I dont think he would have had the career he did without the finess of Stockton.
Kerry said on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 10:55
Malone had a shot that we still can’t find from that position. Not to mention he could stand in a WCW lineup and boast about having bigger arms than those roided up fools.
Tom H said on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 11:23
The only powerforward that comes close to Malone for the total package is Chris Webber. And with Barkley in the mix, that gives you two big men that can rebound, one of which was an amazing offensive force.
Steve C said on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 11:37
I agree Malone could have had a great pro wrestling career after he finshed the NBA.
Kerry said on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 12:02
Wait. Tom, did you just say Chris Webber was the closest package we have to Malone? That makes me laugh.
Tom H said on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 13:27
Chris Webber was the next best thing to Malone as far as the overall package for a power forward. There are others such as Garnett that are great success, but not with the combination of power and agility.
Kelly said on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, 14:13
I agree, it is tough to top Malone. Webber would have been on that team, but it was a couple years before his time.