Jordan was 1988 MVP so he’s nearing his prime and is at the top of the league by then and is considered the leagues most valuable player.

MVP Runners up were magic and bird. So in 1988 you are getting them much more in their prime than the broken bird and HIV positive magic johnson. To me that’s a huge difference.

The next people up in MVP were Barkley Drexler Wilkins Olajuwon Malone and Stockton. These guys were all on the dream team except Wilkins and Olajuwon. In 1998 I put them on the dream team.

My 1988 Roster

Jordan
Johnson
Bird
Barkley
Malone
Olajuwon
Thomas
Stockton
Drexler
Wilkins
David Robinson (my college inclusion) (Navy)
Kareem Abdul Jabbar (my veteran leader)

So essentially my 1988 dream team is similar to the 1992 team but younger and healthier especially as it pertains to bird and magic. I leave off Ewing Pippen Laetner and Mullin and replace them with Kareem, Hakeem, Isaiah Thomas and Wilkins.

My thought is a 1988 Isaiah maybe hasn’t broken bridges yet and gets along with everyone. He had an amazing nba finals and was about to win championships.

I think that theoretical 1988 team could beat the 1992 team. I just love Hakeem and Kareem over Ewing. I think Isaiah Thomas would be huge. I hate losing Pippen but I think a young Hakeem could replace him. I would miss Mullins shooting but I think Wilkins athleticism could compensate. Losing Laetner doesn’t hurt.

Am I wrong?