Magic Johnson, 1992 Dream Team featured on Sunkist cans

The pressure facing the 2012 Olympic basketball team goes beyond whether it will defend its gold medal. It will extend past whether USA Chairman Jerry Colangelo will have to reshuffle the roster again because of postseason injuries. And for the players, including Kobe Bryant, who make the final cut, the worries go past how their health will hold up after surviving a compacted NBA season. And the 2012 U.S. men’s team will, of course, elicit commentary on how it would match up against the 1992 Dream Team, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

In commemoration, Sunkist is making collectible cans featuring various members of the Dream Team, including Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and Scottie Pippen. Photos of those players will appear on Sunkist, 7UP, A&W root beer, Canada Dry and Sun Drop cans throughout the summer.

Sunkist also will have various fan promotions: watching the U.S. Olympic team practice in Las Vegas and Barcelona, visiting Dream Team members and attending a presentation in Barcelona commemorating the Dream Team’s debut there during the 1992 Olympics.

“This is a special year for USA Basketball and this partnership with these iconic brands will help pay homage to our rich history,” Colangelo said in a statement. “We look forward to having some of the most storied players in our program’s history recognized on these brands’ cans as we prepare to compete this summer.”

RELATED:

Magic Johnson discusses Dream Team’s superiority to Redeem Team

Magic Johnson: Mike Brown will be fired if Lakers lose to Denver

Lakers’ offense fizzles in final minutes of Game 2 loss to Thunder

E-mail the Lakers blog at mgmedin@gmail.com. Follow the Lakers blog on Twitter.