1992 OLYMPIC DREAM TEAM

 

 

Front Row (L-R): Bobby Cremins, assistant coach; Jerry Sloan, assistant coach; Karl Malone; Lenny Wilkens, head coach; Charles Barkley; Clem Haskins, assistant coach.

Middle Row (L-R): Gary Payton; Reggie Miller; Scottie Pippen; Anfernee Hardaway.

Back Row (L-R): David Robinson; Mitch Richmond; Hakeem Olajuwon; John Stockton; Grant Hill; Shaquille O'Neal.

 

Just as its predecessor, the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team did, the 1996 USA Men's Olympic Team proved itself as the best en route to compiling a perfect 8-0 record and capturing the gold at the Atlanta Summer Olympic Games.

Coached by Lenny Wilkens, the NBA's all-time winningest coach, and relying on another collection of NBA superstars, the '96 Olympians continued the "Dream Team" legacy with class and distinction. Featuring a balance of respected veteran all-stars and some of the game's brightest young players, record crowds watched the U.S. capture the gold. Attracting 258,106 spectators during the USA's eight games, the U.S. averaged 32,263 fans per game.

Behind an 18 point, sevenrebound performance from three-time Olympian David Robinson, theU.S. over- came a sluggish start toopen the Games with a 96-68 win over Argentina. Scoring a team leading 12 points, Karl Malone led a balanced USA scoring effort that saw nine players score between 12 and seven points as the U.S. rolled to an 87-54 win over Angola. Lithuania was expected to test the American squad, but behind 18 points and a team high five rebounds from Charles Barkley, the U.S. strolled to a convincing 104-82 victory.

Scottie Pippen's 24 point performance led seven U.S. players in double-digit scoring as the United States established four USA Olympic records and in the process trounced China 133-70 while an Olympic basketball record crowd of 34,417 watched. Grant Hill tossed in 19 points, and Reggie Miller, who hit a USA Olympic record five-of-eight three-point field goals, added 17 points. The USA's 133 points were the most ever for a U.S. Olympic squad. Concluding preliminary pool play against 1992 Olympic silver medalist Croatia, the U.S. cruised to the 102-71 win as Mitch Richmond led the charge with 16points, and Barkley added 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Facing Brazil in quarterfinals action, guard Anfernee Hardaway scored 14 points and Shaquille O'Neal added 11 points and 11 rebounds as the U.S. dominated Brazil 98-75 with a crowd of 31,740 watching.

Meeting Australia in the medal semifinal game, in front of 34,069 fans and behind Barkley's 24 point and 11 rebound showing, the USA downed Australia 101-73.

In the gold medal game, witnessed by an Olympic men's basketball record crowd of 34,600, the U.S. finished strong to hand Yugoslavia its only loss of the Games 95-69 and earn the gold medal. Struggling with its shooting early, the U.S., which trailed by seven points midway through the first half, fought back to take a 43-38 lead at halftime. Only leading 51-50 with 14:03 remaining, the U.S. sealed its gold medal after recording an 18-4 scoring run to take control 69-55. The USA was paced by game highs of 28 points (9-11 FGs) and seven rebounds from Robinson, while Miller finished with 20 points and Hardaway added 17.