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United States men's national basketball team

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The United States National Basketball Team is the representative for the United States of America in international basketball. Recent editions of the team have been known as The Dream Team, starting with the men's team that won the gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain. That team is often regarded as the greatest collection of talent on one team in basketball history.[1] [2] [3]

A 1989 rule change by FIBA allowed professional athletes to play in international competition for the first time. The Dream Team, comprised of professional players from the National Basketball Association, qualified for the Olympics after a 6–0 record in the Men's Tournament of the Americas.

Two years later, a second "Dream Team" competed in the 1994 Basketball World Championships, finishing first. In 1996 and 2000, Dream Teams III and IV once again captured gold medals. (No Dream Team competed in the 1998 World Championships as an NBA lockout prevented its players from competing.) Though the nickname was bestowed by some upon subsequent American national teams, the performances of the 2002 World Championship and 2004 Summer Olympic teams (which finished sixth and third, respectively) all but denied it, and perhaps future teams, the right to the "Dream Team" nickname. The 2004 team lost three games on its way to a bronze medal, a record that represented more losses in a single year than the country's Olympic teams had suffered in all previous Olympiads combined. It was also the first time since NBA professionals became eligible that the U.S. men's basketball team returned home without gold medals.

Pre-Dream Team

Before the 1992 Olympic games, USA Basketball competed with amateur basketball players. In Olympic play from 1936 to 1988, the USA Men's team compiled an impressive 85-2 record, collecting nine gold medals and one bronze medal. In addition, the 1972 team placed second but unanimously voted to refuse its silver medals following a controversial loss to the Soviet Union in the gold medal game. (More information below.)

1936 Olympics (Berlin)

The 1936 games marked the first time basketball was played as an official medal sport. The USA brought home the gold medal after completing a 5-0 run.

Roster

  • Sam Balter
  • Ralph Bishop
  • Joe Fortenberry
  • John Gibbons
  • Francis Johnson
  • Carl Knowles
  • Frank Lubin
  • Art Mollner
  • Don Piper
  • Jack Ragland
  • Willard Schmidt
  • Carl Shy
  • Duane Swanson
  • William Wheatley
  • HEAD COACH: James Needles

Team USA Results

  • USA 2 Spain 0 (Forfeit)
  • USA 52 Estonia 28
  • USA 56 Philippines 23
  • USA 25 Mexico 10
  • USA 19 Canada 8

Final Standings

  • 1. United States (5-0)
  • 2. Canada (5-2)
  • 3. Mexico (7-1)
  • 4. Poland (5-2)
  • 5. Philippines (5-3)
  • 6. Uruguay (4-4)
  • 7. Italy (4-4)
  • 8. Peru (3-5)
  • 9. Brazil (6-2)
  • 10.Chile (4-4)
  • 11.Czechoslovakia (5-3)
  • 12. Estonia (4-3)
  • 13.Japan (2-5)
  • 14.Switzerland (4-4)
  • 15. Belgium (3-5)
  • 16.China (4-4)
  • 17.Egypt (5-3)
  • 18. France (2-6)
  • 19. Germany (0-7)
  • 20. Hungary (2-6)
  • 21. Latvia (0-7)
  • 22. Spain (0-7)

1948 Olympics (London)

In their second Olympics, the United States again posted a perfect 5-0 record and won the gold medal. Legendary University of Kentucky coach Adolph Rupp served as an assistant coach for the team. He had coached many of the core players on the team to an NCAA title earlier that year.

Roster

  • Clifford Barker
  • Don Barksdale
  • Ralph Beard
  • Lewis Beck
  • Vincent Boryla
  • Gordon Carpenter
  • Alex Groza
  • Wallace Jones
  • Robert Kurland
  • Raymond Lumpp
  • R.C. Pitts
  • Jesse Renick
  • Kenneth Rollins
  • Jack Robinson
  • HEAD COACH: Omar Browning

Team USA Results

  • USA 86 Switzerland 21
  • USA 53 Czechoslovakia 28
  • USA 59 Argentina 57
  • USA 66 Egypt 28
  • USA 61 Peru 33
  • USA 63 Uruguay 28
  • USA 71 Mexico 40
  • USA 65 France 21

Final Standings

  • 1. United States (8-0)
  • 2. France (5-2)
  • 3. Brazil (7-1)
  • 4. Mexico (5-2)
  • 5. Uruguay (5-3)
  • 6. Chile (4-4)
  • 7. Czechoslovakia (4-4)
  • 8. Korea (3-5)
  • 9. Canada (6-2)
  • 10. Peru (4-4)
  • 11. Belgium (5-3)
  • 12. Philippines (4-4)
  • 13. Cuba (4-3)
  • 14. Iran (2-5)
  • 15. Argentina (4-4)
  • 16. Hungary (3-5)
  • 17. Italy (4-4)
  • 18. China (5-3)
  • 19. Egypt (2-6)
  • 20. Great Britain (0-7)
  • 21. Switzerland (2-6)
  • 22. Iraq (0-7)
  • 23. Ireland (0-6)

1952 Olympics (Helsinki)

For the first time, the Soviet Union sent athletes to compete in the Olympics. With the Cold War serving as a backdrop, the United States-USSR matchup was quite intriguing. The United States defeated the Soviets twice, including a 36-25 performance in the gold medal game.

Roster

  • Ronald Bontemps
  • Marcus Freiberger
  • Wayne Glasgow
  • Charles Hoag
  • William Hougland
  • John Keller
  • Melvin Kelley
  • Robert Kenney
  • Robert Kurland
  • William Lienhard
  • Clyde Lovellette
  • Frank McCabe
  • Dan Pippin
  • Howard Williams
  • HEAD COACH: Warren Womble

Team USA Results

  • USA 66 Hungary 48
  • USA 72 Czechoslovakia 47
  • USA 57 Uruguay 44
  • USA 86 USSR 58
  • USA 103 Chile 55
  • USA 57 Brazil 53
  • USA 85 Argentina 76
  • USA 36 USSR 25

Final Standings

  • 1. United States (8-0)
  • 2. Soviet Union (6-2)
  • 3. Uruguay (5-3)
  • 4. France (5-3)
  • 5. Chile (4-4)
  • 6. Brazil (4-4)
  • 7. Bulgaria (4-4)
  • 8. France (4-4)
  • 9. Canada (3-3)
  • 10. Cuba (1-4)
  • 11. Czechoslovakia (1-2)
  • 12. Egypt (3-3)
  • 13. Finland (0-3)
  • 14. Hungary (2-4)
  • 15. Mexico (1-2)
  • 16. Philippines (3-2)

1956 Olympics (Melbourne)

Before leading the Boston Celtics to 8 consecutive NBA championships, Bill Russell led the 1956 USA men's basketball team to an Olympic gold medal in Melbourne. Russell averaged 14.1 points per game, and Team USA dominated the tournament, winning by an average of 53.5 points.

Roster

  • Dick Boushka
  • Carl Cain
  • Charles Darling
  • William Evans
  • Gilbert Ford
  • Burdette Haldorson
  • William Hougland
  • Robert Jeangerard
  • K.C. Jones
  • Bill Russell
  • Ron Tomsic
  • James Walsh
  • HEAD COACH: Gerald Tucker

Team USA Results

  • USA 98 Japan 40
  • USA 101 Thailand 29
  • USA 121 Philippines 53
  • USA 85 Bulgaria 44
  • USA 113 Brazil 51
  • USA 85 USSR 55
  • USA 101 Uruguay 38
  • USA 89 USSR 55

Final Standings

  • 1. United States (8-0)
  • 2. Soviet Union (8-2)
  • 3. Uruguay (6-2)
  • 4. France (5-3)
  • 5. Bulgaria (5-3)
  • 6. Brazil (3-4)
  • 7. Philippines (4-4)
  • 8. Chile (2-5)
  • 9. Canada (5-2)
  • 10. Japan (3-4)
  • 11. Formosa (5-3)
  • 12. Australia (2-5)
  • 13. Singapore (2-5)
  • 14. South Korea (1-6)
  • 15. Thailand (0-7)

1960 Olympics (Rome)

Arguably the best U.S. roster until the formation of the 1992 Dream Team, the 1960 U.S. Olympic team featured three players who would later be selected to the NBA's list of its 50 greatest players - Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and Jerry Lucas.

Roster

Team USA Results

  • USA 88 Italy 54
  • USA 125 Japan 66
  • USA 107 Hungary 63
  • USA 104 Yugoslavia 42
  • USA 108 Uruguay 50
  • USA 81 USSR 57
  • USA 112 Italy 81
  • USA 90 Brazil 63

Final Standings

  • 1. United States (8-0)
  • 2. Soviet Union (6-2)
  • 3. Brazil (6-2)
  • 4. Italy (4-4)
  • 5. Czechoslovakia (5-3)
  • 6. Yugoslavia (4-4)
  • 7. Poland (2-5)
  • 8. Uruguay (4-5)
  • 9. Hungary (4-3)
  • 10. France (4-3)
  • 11. Philippines (4-3)
  • 12. Mexico (4-3)
  • 13. Puerto Rico (3-5)
  • 14. Canada (1-8)
  • 15. Japan (0-7)
  • 16. Bulgaria (1-5)

1964 Olympics (Tokyo)

A team consisting of future hall-of-famer and U.S. Senator Bill Bradley, and future Team USA coach Larry Brown again racked up a perfect record and brought home the gold medal. Hank Iba coached his first of three USA Olympic teams.

Roster

Team USA Results

  • USA 78 Australia 45
  • USA 77 Finland 51
  • USA 60 Peru 45
  • USA 83 Uruguay 28
  • USA 69 Yugoslavia 61
  • USA 86 Brazil 53
  • USA 116 South Korea 50
  • USA 62 Puerto Rico 42
  • USA 73 USSR 59

Final Standings

  • 1. United States (9-0)
  • 2. Soviet Union (8-1)
  • 3. Brazil (6-3)
  • 4. Puerto Rico (5-4)
  • 5. Italy (6-3)
  • 6. Poland (5-4)
  • 7. Yugoslavia (6-3)
  • 8. Uruguay (4-5)
  • 9. Australia (4-5)
  • 10. Japan (4-5)
  • 11. Finland (4-5)
  • 12. Mexico (3-6)
  • 13. Hungary (4-5)
  • 14. Canada (1-8)
  • 15. Peru (3-6)
  • 16. South Korea (0-9)

1968 Olympics (Mexico City)

The United States entered Olympic play as underdogs to the Soviets and Yugoslavia, but Spencer Haywood led the team to another unblemished record. Team USA won by 15 over Yugoslavia in the gold medal game.

Roster

Team USA Results

  • USA 81 Spain 46
  • USA 93 Senegal 36
  • USA 96 Philippines 75
  • USA 73 Yugoslavia 58
  • USA 95 Panama 60
  • USA 100 Italy 61
  • USA 61 Puerto Rico 56
  • USA 75 Brazil 63
  • USA 65 Yugoslavia 50

Final Standings

  • 1. United States (9-0)
  • 2. Yugoslavia (7-2)
  • 3. Soviet Union (8-1)
  • 4. Brazil (6-3)
  • 5. Mexico (7-2)
  • 6. Poland (5-4)
  • 7. Spain (5-4)
  • 8. Italy (5-4)
  • 9. Puerto Rico (5-4)
  • 10. Bulgaria (4-5)
  • 11. Cuba (3-6)
  • 12. Panama (2-7)
  • 13. Philippines (3-6)
  • 14. South Korea (2-7)
  • 15. Senegal (1-8)
  • 16. Morocco (0-9)

1972 Olympics (Munich)

Without question, the 1972 Olympic men's basketball gold medal game is the most controversial in Olympic history. With three seconds left, American forward Doug Collins sank two free throws to put the Americans up 50-49. However, the horn sounded before Collin's second free throw.

Immediately following Collins' free throws, the Soviets inbounded the ball and failed to score. But one official had whistled play to stop with one second remaining after hearing the earlier horn and seeing a disturbance near the scorers table. The Soviets argued that they had requested a timeout before Collins' foul shots. The referees ordered the clock reset to three seconds and the game's final seconds replayed. However, the clock was in the process of being reset when the referees put the ball in play. A length of the court Soviet pass missed its mark, the horn sounded and the U.S. again began celebrating.

However, R. William Jones, Secretary General of FIBA, stepped in and ordered the clock again reset to 0:03 and the game replayed from that point. This time, the Soviet's Aleksander Belov and the USA's Kevin Joyce and Jim Forbes went up for the pass, and Belov caught the long pass from Ivan Edeshko at the foul line, sending the two Americans sprawling. Belov then drove to the basket for the layup and the winning points as the buzzer sounded. The U.S. team quickly filed a protest after the game, which was heard by a five-man Jury of Appeal. In a 3-2 decision (divided along ideological lines between Communist and non-Communist countries), the Jury voted down the protest and awarded the gold medals to the Soviet team. [4] The U.S. players voted unanimously to refuse their silver medals; several team members have directed in their wills that their heirs are never to accept the medals, even posthumously.

This game marked the first ever loss for Team USA in Olympic play, ending a winning streak of 63 games and seven gold medals.

Roster

Team USA Results

  • USA 66 Czechoslovakia 35
  • USA 81 Australia 55
  • USA 67 Cuba 48
  • USA 61 Brazil 54
  • USA 96 Egypt 31
  • USA 72 Spain 56
  • USA 99 Japan 33
  • USA 68 Italy 38
  • USSR 51 USA 50

Final Standings

  • 1. Soviet Union (9-0)
  • 2. United States (8-1)
  • 3. Cuba (7-2)
  • 4. Italy (5-4)
  • 5. Yugoslavia (7-2)
  • 6. Puerto Rico (6-3)
  • 7. Brazil (5-4)
  • 8. Czechoslovakia (4-5)
  • 9. Australia (5-4)
  • 10. Poland (3-6)
  • 11. Spain (4-5)
  • 12. F.R. of Germany (3-6)
  • 13. Philippines (3-6)
  • 14. Japan (2-7)
  • 15. Senegal (0-8)
  • 16. Egypt (0-8)

1976 Olympics (Montreal)

Adrian Dantley averaged 19.1 points and Dean Smith coached Team USA to a 7-0 record and another Olympic gold medal.

Roster

Team USA Results

  • USA 106 Italy 86
  • USA 95 Yugoslavia 74
  • USA 95 Puerto Rico 94
  • USA 112 Yugoslavia 93
  • USA 2 Egypt 0 (forefit)
  • USA 81 Czechoslovakia 76
  • USA 95 Canada 77

Final Standings

  • 1. United States (7-0)
  • 2. Yugoslavia (5-2)
  • 3. Soviet Union (5-2)
  • 4. Canada (4-3)
  • 5. Italy (5-2)
  • 6. Czechoslovakia (3-4)
  • 7. Cuba(4-3)
  • 8. Australia (2-5)
  • 9. Puerto Rico (3-4)
  • 10. Mexico (1-5)
  • 11. Japan(0-6)
  • 12. Egypt(0-5)

1980 Olympics (Moscow)

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan prompted several countries, including the United States, to boycott the 1980 Olympics in Moscow.

The 1980 U.S. team, which featured a number of future NBA players, was the youngest American national team ever assembled. Unable to compete in the Olympics due to the boycott, it instead participated in the "Gold Medal Series," a series of games against NBA all-star teams in various U.S. cities, recording a 5-1 record. [5]

Team Roster

Final Olympic Standings

  • 1. Yugoslavia (8-0)
  • 2. Italy (5-3)
  • 3. Soviet Union (6-2)
  • 4. Spain (4-4)
  • 5. Brazil (4-4)
  • 6. Cuba (2-6)
  • 7. Poland (4-3)
  • 8. Australia (5-2)
  • 9. Czechoslovakia (3-4)
  • 10. Sweden (3-4)
  • 11. Senegal (1-6)
  • 12. India (0-7)

1984 Olympics (Los Angeles)

In response to the American-led boycott of the 1980 games, most Communist countries (including the Soviet Union) boycotted the 1984 Games, held in Los Angeles.

Michael Jordan made his Olympic debut, eight years before his appearance on the original Dream Team. Jordan led the team with 17.1 points per game, and Bob Knight coached the team to an 8-0 record and another Olympic gold.

Roster

Team USA Results

  • USA 97 China 49
  • USA 89 Canada 68
  • USA 104 Uruguay 68
  • USA 120 France 62
  • USA 101 Spain 68
  • USA 78 F. R. Germany 67
  • USA 78 Canada 59
  • USA 96 Spain 65

Final Standings

  • 1.United States (8-0)
  • 2. Spain (6-2)
  • 3. Yugoslavia (7-1)
  • 4. Canada (4-4)
  • 5. Italy (6-2)
  • 6. Uruguay (3-5)
  • 7. Australia (4-4)
  • 8. F. R. of Germany (2-6)
  • 9. Brazil (4-4)
  • 10. China (2-6)
  • 11. France (2-6)
  • 12. Egypt (0-8)

1988 Olympics (Seoul)

A roster than included a host of future NBA all-stars including David Robinson and Mitch Richmond came up short, finishing third and winning the bronze medal. Team USA lost its only game to the Soviets 82-76 in first Olympic meeting between these countries since the controversial 1972 gold medal game. The Americans went on to beat Australia 78-49 in the bronze metal game. "Thunder" Dan Marjerle led Team USA in scoring, averaging 14.1 points per game.

Roster

Team USA Results

  • USA 97 Spain 53
  • USA 76 Canada 70
  • USA 102 Brazil 87
  • USA 108 China 57
  • USA 102 Egypt 35
  • USA 94 Puerto Rico 57
  • USSR 82 USA 76
  • USA 78 Australia 49

Final Standings

  • 1. Soviet Union (7-1)
  • 2. Yugoslavia (6-2)
  • 3. United States (7-1)
  • 4. Australia (4-4)
  • 5. Brazil (5-3)
  • 6. Canada (3-5)
  • 7. Puerto Rico (4-4)
  • 8. Spain (4-4)
  • 9. South Korea (2-5)
  • 10. Central Africa Rep. (2-5)
  • 11. China (2-5)
  • 12. Egypt (0-7)

The Original Dream Team

Dream Team I was arguably the most illustrious collection of talent on one actual competitive team in the history of sports, not just basketball. Of the 12 players on the team, 10 would be named in 1996 to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, the NBA's official list of the 50 greatest players of the league's first 50 years.

The Dream Team roster was:

Team roster

Players in italics were not named to the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.

Coach: Chuck Daly of the New Jersey Nets

The 1992 Dream Team's Olympic Summary

Team USA cruised through its qualifying round with a 6-0 record. The team then took on Angola in the opening game of the Olympic competition. Barkley had 24 points in a team USA 116-48 romp. Next, the Dream Team took on a talented Croatia team and beat them soundly by 33 points, led by Jordan's 21. The United States team then defeated Germany behind Larry Bird's 19 points and Karl Malone's 18. In the next game, seven USA players scored in double digits and Charles Barkley set the new single game scoring record with 30 points in a 127-83 rout of Brazil. Team USA then closed out pool play with a resounding 122-81 drubbing of Spain.

In the quarter finals, Mullin scored a team high 21 points as the Dream Team scored a 115-77 victory over Puerto Rico. Team USA rolled on in the semis with a 51 point win over Lithuania. Nine US players scored in double figures. Jordan led the way in the gold medal game against Croatia, scoring 22 points. Barkley had 17. The final game was the closest of the entire Olympics, with the Dream Team winning by 32 points in a 117-85 blowout.

Dream Team Trivia

Because of this star line-up, the team's games usually featured pregame photos by the opposite team of their U.S. opponents — and idols.

As thoroughly dominant as the Dream Team was, their 43.7 average margin of victory was still below the Team USA Olympic record of 53.5, set by the 1956 squad.

Stockton was the only Dream Team member to wear his NBA number in the Olympics (12), and the only one allowed to by international rules, which restrict player numbers to 4 through 15. All other Dream Team members normally wore numbers outside the allowable range.

Coach Chuck Daly never called a single time-out during their entire tournament run, although he reportedly entertained the thought midway through the first half of the gold medal game against Croatia.

Despite being regarded as the best mix of players ever, half of the Dream Team members never won an NBA title: Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Christian Laettner, Karl Malone, Chris Mullin and John Stockton.

Results at the 1992 Tournament of the Americas in Portland

Results at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona

Final standings at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona

  1. United States (8–0)
  2. Croatia (6–2)
  3. Lithuania (6–2)
  4. Commonwealth of Independent States (5–3)
  5. Brazil (4–4)
  6. Australia (4–4)
  7. Germany (3–5)
  8. Puerto Rico (3–5)
  9. Spain (3–4)
  10. Angola (2–5)
  11. Venezuela (2–5)
  12. China (0–7)

1994 World Championship Team, or Dream Team II

The second Dream Team competed in the 1994 World Championships, held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This was an entirely new roster, as USA Basketball elected to showcase stars who were not present at the 1992 Olympics. Composed primarily of younger NBA players, the team lacked the widespread appeal of its predecessor but nevertheless continued its dominance.

Team roster

^Injured; unable to compete

Coached by Don Nelson of the Golden State Warriors, this team easily captured the gold medal in tournament play.

Results at the 1994 World Championships in Toronto

  • USA 115 Spain 100
  • USA 132 China 77
  • USA 105 Brazil 82
  • USA 130 Australia 74
  • USA 134 Puerto Rico 83
  • USA 111 Russia 94
  • USA 97 Greece 58
  • USA 137 Russia 91

Final standings at the 1994 World Championships in Toronto

  1. United States (8–0)
  2. Russia (5–2)
  3. Croatia (7–1)
  4. Greece (4–4)
  5. Australia (5–3)
  6. Puerto Rico (3–5)
  7. Canada (4–4)
  8. China (2–6)
  9. Argentina (5–3)
  10. Spain (5–3)
  11. Brazil (2–6)
  12. Germany (5–3)
  13. Korea (3–5)
  14. Egypt (1–7)
  15. Cuba (3–5)
  16. Angola (1–7)

1996 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team, or Dream Team III

The third Dream Team participated in the 1996 Summer Olympics held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The star quality of team was impressive as it featured five members of the original Dream Team (Barkley, Malone, Pippen, Robinson, and Stockton). The rest of the squad consisted of high-caliber players, and they rolled to another gold medal.

Team roster

Dream Team III cruised through the 1996 Olympics, defeating every other team by margins greater than 20 points. They captured the Gold Medal after defeating Yugoslavia 95–69. Lenny Wilkens coached this team, which definitively lived up to the expectations of the thousands of fans that went to see their home team.

Results at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta

  • USA 96 Argentina 68
  • USA 87 Angola 54
  • USA 104 Lithuania 82
  • USA 133 China 70
  • USA 102 Croatia 71
  • USA 98 Brazil 75
  • USA 101 Australia 73
  • USA 95 Yugoslavia 69

Final standings at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta

  1. United States (8–0)
  2. Yugoslavia (7–1)
  3. Lithuania (5–3)
  4. Australia (5–3)
  5. Greece (5–3)
  6. Brazil (3–5)
  7. Croatia (4–4)
  8. China (2–6)
  9. Argentina (3–4)
  10. Puerto Rico (2–5)
  11. Angola (1–6)
  12. South Korea (0–7)

1998 World Championship Team

The American team that competed in the 1998 World Championships in Athens, Greece is not considered a Dream Team, as none of its players were current members of NBA teams. Instead, the team was nicknamed the "dirty dozen" because of the way they worked hard on the court and maximized their ability for the good of the team. Because of a labor dispute that led to a lockout, no active or well-established NBA players were permitted to compete in the tournament. This unheralded team, composed largely of players from the minor-league Continental Basketball Association, captured a bronze medal—considered a solid achievement given the team's complete lack of top-notch talent.

Team roster

^Injured; unable to compete

Results at the 1998 World Championships in Athens

  • USA 83 Brazil 59
  • Lithuania 84 USA 82
  • USA 88 South Korea 62
  • USA 87 Argentina 74
  • USA 75 Spain 73
  • USA 96 Australia 78
  • USA 80 Italy 77
  • Russia 66 USA 64
  • USA 84 Greece 61

Final standings at the 1998 World Championships in Athens

  1. Yugoslavia (9–0)
  2. Russia (7–2)
  3. United States (7–2)
  4. Greece (5–4)
  5. Spain (7–2)
  6. Italy (5–4)
  7. Lithuania (5–4)
  8. Argentina (3–6)
  9. Australia (5–3)
  10. Brazil (2–6)
  11. Puerto Rico (3–5)
  12. Canada (1–7)
  13. Nigeria (2–3)
  14. Japan (1–4)
  15. Senegal (1–4)
  16. Korea (0–5)

2000 U.S. Olympic Basketball Team (or Dream Team IV ?)

During the late 1990s, international basketball began to gather attention as more and more foreign players became stars in the NBA. Therefore, "Dream Team IV" had the enormous task of proving that American basketball was the best in the world. The new team that was assembled again featured NBA players, but this time few of them were considered to be true superstars, as several elite players elected not to participate.

Team roster

The 2000 U.S. team participated in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia and was coached by Rudy Tomjanovich. It won its first two games by lopsided margins, but faced more difficult competition thereafter. A preliminary game against Lithuania, won 85–76, marked the first time a Dream Team failed to win by double digits. Two games later, in a 106-94 victory over France, Vince Carter of Team USA executed one of the most famous dunks in history, literally jumping over 7'2"/2.18 m France center Frédéric Weis on his way to the basket.

A major shock came on the semifinals game when the United States managed to defeat Lithuana by only two points, 85–83, after Lithuanian star (and future member of the Indiana Pacers) Sarunas Jasikevicius missed a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer that would have won the game. Dream Team IV eventually won the Gold Medal against France in a very close game, which the Americans won 85–75. Though the United Stated went undefeated on its way to the gold medal, for the first time the team began to lose its aura of invincibility.

Results at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney

  • USA 119 China 72
  • USA 93 Italy 61
  • USA 85 Lithuania 76
  • USA 102 New Zealand 56
  • USA 106 France 94
  • USA 85 Russia 70
  • USA 85 Lithuania 83
  • USA 85 France 75

Final standings at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney

  1. United States (8–0)
  2. France (4–4)
  3. Lithuania (5–3)
  4. Australia (4–4)
  5. Italy(4–3)
  6. Yugoslavia (4–3)
  7. Canada (5–2)
  8. Russia (3–4)
  9. Spain (2–4)
  10. China (2–4)
  11. New Zealand (1–5)
  12. Angola (0–6)

2002 U.S. Men's Basketball Team

The 2002 team competed in the 2002 Basketball World Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Coached by George Karl, the team finished a surprising sixth in the competition, marking the first time that a team consisting of NBA players failed to capture the gold medal in international play. To a greater degree than in 2000, a number of top NBA players declined to participate, forcing USA Basketball to resort to picking mostly second-tier players.

Team roster

Results at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis

  • USA 110 Algeria 60
  • USA 104 Germany 87
  • USA 84 China 65
  • USA 106 Russia 82
  • USA 110 New Zealand 62
  • Argentina 87 USA 80
  • Yugoslavia 81 USA 78
  • USA 84 Puerto Rico 74
  • Spain 81 USA 76

Final standings at the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis

  1. Yugoslavia (7–2)
  2. Argentina (8–1)
  3. Germany (6–3)
  4. New Zealand (4–5)
  5. Spain (7–2)
  6. United States (6–3)
  7. Puerto Rico (6–3)
  8. Brazil (4–4)
  9. Turkey (4–4)
  10. Russia (3–5)
  11. Angola (2–6)
  12. China (1–7)
  13. Canada (2–3)
  14. Venezuela (1–4)
  15. Algeria (1–4)
  16. Lebanon (0–5)

2004 U.S. Men's Basketball Team

The humiliating outcome of 2002 prompted a number of NBA superstars to agree to join the team for the 2003 Tournament of the Americas, which the squad was required to participate in to qualify for the 2004 Summer Olympics. The team easily cruised to a first-place finish, earning it a spot in Athens, Greece the following summer.

However, the dominant team that competed in 2003 could not be kept together. Primarily due to security concerns, 10 of its 12 players elected not to participate in Athens, causing USA Basketball to scramble to fill their places. The revamped 2004 team generally consisted of either young NBA players early in their careers, or veteran players thought to be somewhat beneath superstar status. The only established superstars on the team were Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson—who along with Richard Jefferson were the only players left from the 2003 roster.

Team roster

The team was coached by Larry Brown.

  • Two players on the team were in transition from one team to another over the summer. Carlos Boozer was a Cavalier in the 2003-2004 season but signed a deal in the offseason with the Utah Jazz. This was a minor source of controversy because Boozer's career flourished when LeBron James came onboard to the Cavaliers as he won the Most Improved Player Award that season, and he was considered one of the cornerstones of the new Cavaliers team that led by James, was supposed to be a rebuilding effort.

Lamar Odom was one of the three players on the Miami Heat that were traded in the offseason to Los Angeles for Shaquille O'Neal. Thus with Marion/Stoudemire, Boozer/James, and Odom/Wade the team consisted of 3 pairs of teammates.

Although this team was occasionally called a "Dream Team" because it was composed of NBA players, it is likely that the media will end the use of that nickname after its performance. Indeed, some media outlets took to calling it the "Nightmare Team." Many people criticized both Larry Brown and the players for a lack of dedication to the team. The 2004 US Men's Basketball Team was defeated by Italy by 17 points in an exhibition game in Cologne, Germany; two days later, also in Cologne, the U.S. team needed a long Iverson three-pointer at the buzzer to keep an exhibition game against Germany from going into overtime. The vulnerability of the Americans was confirmed on August 15, 2004 when Puerto Rico defeated them 92–73 in the very first game of the 2004 Olympics in Athens. It was only the third Olympic basketball defeat ever in the history of the United States and the first one for a American team composed of professionals. Carlos Arroyo led the victorious Puerto Ricans in the game, which suggested that the level of international basketball had caught up with that of the United States.

After winning close games against Greece and Australia, the U.S. team lost another game against Lithuania, dropping to 2–2 in the Olympic tournament. Sarunas Jasikevicius, who missed a three-pointer that would have beaten the U.S. in the semifinals four years earlier at Sydney, scored 28 points to lead the Lithuanian team.

Even though it managed to win easily against Angola, 89–53, because of the goal average rules, the team entered the quarterfinal round in fourth place, the lowest seed of their group. The Americans faced undefeated Spain in its quarterfinal game and finally put up a dominant performance. Led by Stephon Marbury's 31 points, the team defeated the Spaniards 102–94, eliminating them from medal contention.

Any momentum gained from that victory was lost a game later, however, as the team was defeated by Argentina, led by Duncan's teammate Manu Ginobili, 89–81 in the semifinals, ending the United States' hold on the gold medal. The United States concluded its run the Olympics with a 104–96 win over Lithuania to win the bronze medal. It marked only the third time that an American team failed to win gold, and the first time for an American team composed of professionals. Before 2004, American teams had only lost two games in all previous Olympic tournaments, whereas in this one the American team lost three.

Results at the 2004 Olympics in Athens

Final standings at the 2004 Olympics in Athens

  1. Argentina (6–2)
  2. Italy (5–3)
  3. United States (5–3)
  4. Lithuania (6–2)
  5. Greece (4–3)
  6. Puerto Rico (3–4)
  7. Spain (5–1)
  8. China (2–5)
  9. Australia (2–4)
  10. New Zealand (1–5)
  11. Serbia and Montenegro (2–4)
  12. Angola (0–6)

2006-2008 U.S. Men's Basketball Team

Following the failure of the previous "Dream Teams", USA Basketball decided to move in a different direction. It appointed Jerry Colangelo to be solely responsible for selecting the team. Colangelo made it clear that he would ask players for a three-year commitment—the 2006 Worlds and the 2008 Summer Olympics. The head coach chose for the team was Duke University coach Mike Krzyzewski, with assistants Jim Boeheim of Syracuse University, Mike D'Antoni of the Phoenix Suns, and Nate McMillan of the Portland Trail Blazers. While some prominent players, such as Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, stated that they do not plan to play for the team, superstars Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Shawn Marion publicly announced their commitment for the 2006 Worlds and 2008 Olympics. Allen Iverson, despite being the captain for the 2004 Olympic team, was not invited to train with the team. Among other notable players uninvited was Houston Rockets All-Star Tracy McGrady, a member of the 2002 World Championships team. As of 8/22/06 they are undefeated and have won their games by an average of 23 points. Dwyane Wade, Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony have been named co-captains of the team.

Training camp roster

2006 U.S. Men's Basketball Team

Results at the 2006 World Championships in Japan

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