1992 Olympic Dream Team: My Favorite Olympics Memory

The Summer Olympics in 1992 were special for me. For the first time, the United States were able to play their best basketball players in the games. This article examines these games and the very first Dream Team.

Roster

The team was made up of eleven National Basketball Association players and one college player. The team consisted of the following. Charles Barkley, Larry Bird, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin, Scottie Pippen, David Robinson and John Stockton. The collegiate player was Christian Laettner. The head coach was Chuck Daly, from the New Jersey Nets.

Legendary Practices

It was never taped. However, it is said that the final practice leading up to the gold medal was one of the hardest exhibitions ever conducted. This was done in preparation for the finals. Egos were set aside and a determined practice began. Stories have originated about the practice itself among these great players. Those fortunate to have observed the practice, said it was better than the gold medal game itself.

Game Wrap Ups

The USA played a total of 8 games. Six were in the qualifying round and two in the medal round. Here are the scores of those games. US 116-Angola 48, US 103-Croatia 70, US 111-Germany 68, US 127-Brazil 83, US 122-Spain 81, US 115-Puerto Rico 77, US 127- Lithuania 76 and the gold medal game (US 117- Croatia 85).

In the 51 point win over Lithuania, nine players scored in double figures. Charles Barkley set a single game scoring record of 30 points in the US win over Brazil.

Statistic Leaders

Points per game (Barkley 18,0, Jordan 14.9, Malone 13.0, Mullin 12.9, Drexler 10.5). Three other players average 9 points a game, too. (Ewing, Pippen and Robinson)

Rebounds per game (Malone 5.3, Ewing 5.1, Robinson 4.1, Barkley 4.1).

Steals Jordan 37 Assists Pippen 47.

Personal memory

The Olympics were held in Barcelona. I remember clearing my schedule to watch each game that was televised. I was not a fan of the NBA. However, since I was a high school basketball coach, it was a thrill to watch the greatest players ever assembled to compete. It is an Olympics I will always cherish.

sources; 1992 Olympic Basketball