Just what is it that kept Isiah Thomas off the 1992 Dream Team that competed in Barcelona?  Was Chris Mullin a better choice? Mullin was a player who had never won a championship (Isiah won 2) and who never lead a team (was always second fiddle)?

Sure, Mullin might have scored more, but Isiah was just coming off leading the Bad Boys Piston team to back to back titles, all while averaging 20+ ppg and 10+ apg. 

And dare I mention Dominique Wilkins, the other really notable exclusion?  If you're going to put Mullin on the team solely for the fact he has scored a lot of points, how do you keep Dominique off?

The more you look back on the decision, the fishier it seems.  Moreover, why was Laettner selected out of the college ranks when there was already Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning to choose from.  Was it Laettner's Duke All-White pedigree that led him to being selected for the honor of being on one of the greatest teams, if not THE greatest, ever?

Mullin was a great player; don't get me wrong.  He just wasn't more accomplished or better than Isiah Thomas or Dominique Wilkins.  Winning two championships back to back like Isiah did all but guarantees a hall of fame nod, but with Mullin it is less clear. 

Does simply being a clean cut white boy (albeit one that battled alcoholism in his life) allow a player to gain so much notoriety and acclaim?  It's no secret that the African American population is still a minority, with about 14% of the population being of African descent. 

Sometimes it's more apparent than other times.  But the racial undercurrent in America remains strong, and racism manifests itself even in sports.  In the case of the 1992 Dream Team, I believe that was definitely the reason for Mullin being selected to play with a team of players who were all significantly better than him.