(CNN) -- The 1992 Barcelona Olympics mark the first games in which Team USA included NBA athletes. It was called the "Dream Team." The Dream Team comprised a coterie of NBA legends, including Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, John Stockton, and of course, "His Airness" Michael Jordan. Its claim to the title of best basketball team ever has remained virtually unchallenged for two decades. That is, until last week, when Lakers guard Kobe Bryant suggested this year's Olympic team, featuring himself along with NBA superstars LeBron James and Kevin Durant, could beat the heralded Dream Team. Suffice it to say, Bryant's assertion shook up the sports world.
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Kobe Bryant suggests the 2012 Olympic basketball team would beat 1992's Dream Team
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Shayne Lee: It might be blasphemous, but Dream Team wouldn't beat today's players
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In elite performance systems, Lee says, players break records and get better each year
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Lee: Past record-setting athletes would be hard-pressed to recreate accomplishments today
His Airness
Michael Jordan
@placeholder laughed when recalling Bryant's statement, telling reporters that his Dream Team was too smart and too good to lose to this current contingent of NBA youngsters.
Charles Barkley
Similarly, @placeholder chided Bryant, arguing that Kevin, LeBron and Kobe are the only Team USA players good enough to have made the 1992 Dream Team roster.
Kevin Durant
Similarly, Charles Barkley chided Bryant, arguing that @placeholder, LeBron and Kobe are the only Team USA players good enough to have made the 1992 Dream Team roster.
Kobe Bryant
Bryant
Kobe Bryant
Similarly, Charles Barkley chided Bryant, arguing that Kevin, LeBron and @placeholder are the only Team USA players good enough to have made the 1992 Dream Team roster.
Dream Team
Dream Team
Dream Team
Dream Team
Dream Team
Similarly, Charles Barkley chided Bryant, arguing that Kevin, LeBron and Kobe are the only Team USA players good enough to have made the 1992 @placeholder roster.
His Airness
Michael Jordan
The general consensus appears to side with @placeholder and Barkley.