Photo: AP Before Michael Jordan there was Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Having started his career at Athletic Bilbao, he finished his career at Valencia and then worked as a director of football at Bilbao. After the game, Jordan said, "There just wasn't any place for it. Michael Jordan in action with the USA’s ‘Dream Team’ at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. The squad would win its Olympic matchups by an average of 44 points. At the start of the 2011–12 season, there were 74 players from 35 countries. Currently, Zubizarreta is the director of football at French club Olympique de Marseille and has held the post from October 2016. EDITORS NOTE: With the Tokyo Olympics postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, The Associated Press is looking back at the history of Summer Games. [1] The United States men's team , which was nicknamed "The Dream Team" , won the gold medal by beating Croatia in the men's final, with Lithuania winning the bronze medal. "[45] Herlander Coimbra of Angola recalled that "those guys were on another level—a galaxy far, far away". We didn't learn from them. Overview. [24] In 2020, Thorn and Jordan denied directly mentioning Thomas's name in discussions. Here are some of the highlights of the 1992 Barcelona Games, where the Dream Team a squad of NBA pros allowed in for the first time predictably turned the competition into a coronation. Was goalkeeper when Barca won first-ever European Cup in 1992. The captain of the team, Zubizarreta is a familiar name in recent years due to his role as the director of football at Barcelona from 2010 to 2015. This was the culmination of the legendary Johan Cruyff’s contribution to world football and Barcelona, in particular, where the philosophy and ideals of the great Dutchman still echo. Ferrer was a local kid who went on to become a key part of Barcelona’s Dream Team and finished his career at Chelsea in the pre-Abramovich era. Although O'Neal was a two-time Consensus NCAA First Team All-American in 1991 and 1992, his team lost in the second round of the 1992 NCAA Men's Tournament. For the first time in three decades, there was no boycott. Inducted as a group into the Hall of Fame in 2010, every member of the team, minus Christian Laettner, has also been inducted on his own. Enter the Dream Team. The dream became a reality on 20 May 1992 at Wembley Stadium in London, when Barça beat UC Sampdoria of Genoa. Members included the penetrating guard Bobby Hurley, all-around players Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway, outside shooter Allan Houston, and the tough Chris Webber and Eric Montross. The team was collectively inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 2009, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2010, and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2017. [7] In addition to the team induction, 11 players and three coaches have also been inducted individually into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame. Croatia, participating as an independent nation in the Olympics for the first time since its separation from the former Yugoslavia, briefly led the Dream Team by a score of 25–23 in the first half. Members included the penetrating guard Bobby Hurley, all-around players Grant Hill and Penny Hardaway, outside shooter Allan Houston, and the tough Chris Webber and Eric Montross. [6], Note: Point differential: 68, tournament longest, Note: Point differential: 32, tournament closest, Sam Smith. Until 1992, only amateurs and players from professional leagues other than the NBA were allowed to play. "[16][4], In a press conference before the team's first Olympic game against Angola, Barkley famously quipped "I don't know anything about Angola. The 1992–93 season was the 94th season for FC Barcelona. The 1992 Dream Team, which was the first USA Basketball team to feature NBA players, is still looked at by most as the best team ever assembled. Other countries used their best players from their domestic professional leagues. But there was another Dream Team in Barcelona in 1992 - Cruyff's Barcelona… [16][14], The first ten players for the team were selected on September 21, 1991: Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz, Magic Johnson of the Los Angeles Lakers, Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics, Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks, Chris Mullin of the Golden State Warriors, David Robinson of the San Antonio Spurs, and Charles Barkley of the Philadelphia 76ers. The closest of the eight matches was Team USA's 117–85 victory over Croatia in the gold medal game. The blaugranas maintained a long-term project that was the beginning of more success. Patagooos Patagos. A number of players went on to have great careers in that team, known as the Dream Team, both on and off the pitch. Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao face off in the second Copa del Rey final in two weeks on Saturday when the impact of defeat for either could be more dramatic than the joy of victory.... more » 12.04.2021 14:25 In fact, Madrid won the trophy six times before the Catalan club could lay their hands on the Holy Grail. [16] In one game, an opposing player guarding Magic Johnson was seen frantically waving to a camera-wielding teammate on the bench, signaling to make sure he got a picture of them together. "[58][59] Barkley said that he "just started laughing" upon hearing Bryant's comment and that the Dream Team would win by double digits. 'Dream Team' stats: 1992 Olympic dominance, by the numbers On June 28, 1992, Team USA opened with a 136-57 blowout against Cuba in the Tournament of the Americas. Just hours before the start of the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the Dream Team held a legendary practice, in which nine future Hall of Famers faced each other. Laettner's college success ultimately secured his position on the team. Hill and Hardaway would play for the 1996 national team, and Houston on the 2000 t… Coach Chuck Daly also stated that the beds in the Village were a problem, as two of his athletes were over seven feet tall and he considered comfort a priority to keep the team rested. The course of FC Barcelona’s history changed forever. [55], International Olympic Committee head Juan Antonio Samaranch stated that "the most important aspect of the [Barcelona] Games has been the resounding success of the basketball tournament, as we've witnessed the best basketball in the world. The team has been described by journalists around the world as the greatest sports team ever assembled. The Dream Team's Olympic debut marked the globalization of hoops. [30] O'Neal was the number-one pick in the 1992 NBA draft, but Laettner's Duke Blue Devils teams won consecutive National Championships 1991 and 1992. [46], Although this incident had no bearing on the final result (a 116–48 USA win), at the time there was a concern about the image of America to the rest of the world. And the USA did indeed bring its Dream Team. Laettner was the Naismith College Player of the Year, and hit the game-winning shot in the 1992 NCAA Eastern Regional final. [10][11] The vote was 56–13 in favor of the change; Amateur Basketball Association of the United States of America (ABAUSA, renamed USA Basketball after the vote) voted against it due to "colleges and high schools that make up most of its [ABAUSA's] constituency [opposing] it." 1992 Olympics: The world witnesses the formation and domination of the NBA star-laden "Dream Team" in Barcelona. (Video Courtesy – FC Barcelona YouTube Channel). Looks to Wake Up From 20-Year Dream", "The '92 Dream Team paved the way for global players to make mark in NBA", "Michael Jordan: Dream Team could take down this year's team", "Dream Team, Shaq and Kukoc headline 2017 Class of FIBA Hall of Fame Inductees", "MEN'S TOURNAMENT OF THE AMERICAS -- 1992", Summer Olympics men's basketball tournament winners, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1992_United_States_men%27s_Olympic_basketball_team&oldid=1019560329, United States at the Olympic Men's Basketball Tournament, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected pages, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 24 April 2021, at 01:14. We take a look back at the teams, results and top scorers in The Catalans provided a festival of sport that was spectacular right from the opening ceremony, in which a flaming arrow fired by a Spanish archer lit the Olympic flame. [12][13], USA Basketball asked the NBA to supply players for its 1992 roster. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia The 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, nicknamed the Dream Team , was the first American Olympic team to feature active professional players from the National Basketball Association (NBA). [19], Johnson had retired from the Lakers in November 1991 after testing positive for HIV. "Knee injury knocks Magic out of Dream Team lineup against Germany. That showed the Dream Team … [15], The Dream Team made its international debut on June 28 at the Tournament of the Americas, an Olympic qualifying event in Portland, Oregon. On opening day of the 1991–92 season, NBA rosters included 23 international players from 18 countries. 9:45. When asked where his bodyguards were, he held up his fists and answered, "This is my security. There's already some negative feelings about us." at 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the Dream Team, a squad of NBA pros, allowed in for the first time predictably turned the competition into a coronation. [52] Pippen and Jordan aggressively sought the opportunity to guard Toni Kukoč of Croatia. Nobody on that team wanted to play with him. Johnson said, "The 92 Dream Team was the greatest moment of my life in terms of basketball, bar none." Drexler and Stockton did not play because of injuries. The Dream Team, Barcelona 1992 Olympics. [20] Ewing, Jordan, and Mullin had won gold at the 1984 games but Malone, for instance, had not made the team and had seen his non-selection in 1984 as a challenge. [44][51] By the end of the game, Team USA had pulled away and Stockton agreed to a Croatian player's plea not to shoot. To help the team prepare for the Olympics, a squad of the best NCAA college players was formed to scrimmage them. [a][18][38] Daly told the teams to play "All you got now. Their threats backfired, however, as Johnson received even more public support. Here are some of the highlights of the 1992 Barcelona Games, where the “Dream Team” — a squad of NBA pros allowed in for the first time — predictably turned the competition into a coronation. And the USA did indeed bring its Dream Team. All you got." Before the Dream Team packed up their bags and headed to Barcelona, they played a group of college guys in San Diego, California.These weren’t just regular college players; these were the best college players in the world. Barcelona 1992 would be the first Olympics to include NBA players. Although the fans from around the world were interested in every player on the Dream Team, the man everyone was looking… We reminisce the 1991/92 season from Barça. [16] The Australian Olympic delegation prominently threatened to boycott the games in protest of Johnson's presence, fearing that he might infect other athletes. "[60][61] Bird joked, "They probably could. And when they took the court in Barcelona, the Dream Team did not disappoint, going 8-0 in Olympic play, winning each game by an average of 43.8 points, and securing the gold medal after routing Croatia 117 to 85. We reminisce the 1991/92 season from Barça. [2][3][4], At the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, the team defeated its opponents by an average of 44 points en route to the gold medal against Croatia.[5][6]. We take a look back at the teams, results and top scorers in another legendary MJ performance. However, the squad lost in ten days the three trophies, first on 10 April 1996 FC Barcelona was defeated 0-1 by Atlético Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final. Dream Team Celebrates 25th Anniversary Of Golden Olympic Run. The only team besides Croatia to hold the margin under 40 points was Puerto Rico, which lost 115–77 in the quarterfinals. JollitownPlays. In his 2012 book Dream Team, author Jack McCallum quotes Jordan as saying to Team USA selection committee member Rod Thorn: "Rod, I don’t want to play if Isiah Thomas is on the team". They didn’t stop with the record books. Source: Getty Images. "[25], After the selection of the first ten members of the team, Johnson released an official statement in support of Thomas, but years later it was discovered that his support was less than enthusiastic. However, on June 24, the Dream Team lost to the NCAA team, 62–54, after underestimating the opposition. McCallum described the two Bulls as "rabid dogs" against Kukoč. [39] Fans were not allowed to enter the lobby, but did gather outside the hotel, hoping to see their favorite players. Played 126 matches for Spanish national The 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona saw the creation of the USA "Dream Team." After Cruyff arrived in 1988 to revolutionise Barcelona, the much-awaited European Cup title did not arrive until four years later. [63], The team was undefeated, with their closest margin of victory being 38 points over Puerto Rico. Bird called the medal ceremony and the playing of "The Star-Spangled Banner" "the ultimate experience." Barkley was called for an intentional foul on the play. Dream Team 1992 Highlights from the Olympic Games Barcelona… Jordan said that the biggest benefit for him from the Olympics was that he learned more about his teammates' weaknesses. A full-back by trade, he also won the 1992 Summer Olympics with Spain where he was a constant presence in the side. It’s one of the most iconic covers in the magazine’s history and created excitement for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. [16] Hill and Hardaway would play for the 1996 national team, and Houston on the 2000 team. 'Dream Team' roster, 1992 Olympics The cover preceded the selection show on Sept. 21, 1991, when the first 10 members of the "Dream Team" were announced. Players", Olympic Support Overflows for Magic Johnson After Australian Complaints, "Dream Team architect Rod Thorn: Michael Jordan never discussed Isiah Thomas", "20 years later, we're still talking about Isiah Thomas & the Dream Team? Head coach Chuck Daly said of the opposing teams "They'll go home and for the rest of their lives be able to tell their kids, 'I played against Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson and Larry Bird.' This was a majestic team.”. And the more they play against our best players, the more confident they're going to get". Also Read – The best managers of all time: #24 Johan Cruyff. However, Barcelona have won the Champions League four more times since then. [43] Despite that assertion, Barkley walked around the city alone. I haven't played in 20 years and we're all old now. Its 117.3 average was more than 15 points more than the 1960 US team. [15] During the game, Barkley elbowed Coimbra in the chest and was unapologetic after the game, claiming he was hit first. But there was another Dream Team in Barcelona in 1992 - Cruyff's Barcelona. [25][26] According to Jordan in The Last Dance, he asked Thorn, "Who’s all playing? [32][33], In late June, the Dream Team first met together in La Jolla, California, astounding and intimidating the collegians who watched them practice. Relive the magic of the most legendary squad that ever played basketball, the Dream Team. The 1991/92 season was one of the most glorious seasons in Barcelona’s history, as the […] Barkley later said, "I don't think there's anything better to representing your country. Remember now, they learned from us. After Cruyff arrived in 1988 to revolutionise Barcelona, the much-awaited European Cup title did not arrive until four years later. [15][16] Croatia had lost to the Dream Team 103–70 in their first game. Global interest in basketball soared due to the Dream Team. ... What was unclear to the Dream Team as the players … We were dominating the game. Croatia came the closest of any opponent, losing by … [41] Opposing basketball players and athletes from other sports often asked to have photographs taken with the players. They were so overwhelming ... a blowout after blowout. Barcelona's 1992 Dream Team: The Side That Laid the Foundation for the Club's Future Triumphs. [40], As a result, the team stayed at Barcelona's Hotel Ambassador, where USA Basketball occupied 80 of the hotel's 98 rooms. [16] As of 2014, 11 of the 12 players on the roster (all except Laettner)[54] and three of the four coaches (all except Carlesimo) have been elected to the Hall of Fame as individuals. At the time, it was widely believed that Jordan did not like Thomas because he was seen as the "ring leader" of the Detroit Pistons teams of the late 1980s and early 1990s, known as the "Bad Boys", who employed overtly physical tactics against Jordan in the NBA Playoffs. [18], Because of the team's unique celebrity, the Dream Team did not stay in the Olympic Village due to security concerns. The NBA players who made up the “Dream Team” at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics will be remembered as perhaps the greatest collection of talent in the history of sport. [34] Some of the college players visited Jordan's hotel room afterward and asked their hero for his personal items as souvenirs. Dream Team Promotional Magazine from 1992 that featured players on the Dream Team such as (from Left to Right) Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, Larry Bird, Scottie Pippen, Oscar Robertson, Charles Barkley, Patrick The greatest game Michael Jordan ever played in: The Dream Team practice in Monte Carlo. He later worked as a commentator on Spanish television and then had managerial stints at Dutch club Vitesse (Chelsea’s favourite loanees destination) and Spanish clubs Cordoba and Mallorca. In pictures: They were the first Barcelona side to claim the European Cup, but as their successors … [15] Barkley was the Dream Team's leading scorer during the Olympics, averaging 18.0 points per game,[50] although the player selection committee had been unsure of his inclusion, worried that he would not represent the United States well.[15]. There was speculation that Thomas was not part of the team because Jordan would participate only if Thomas was not on the roster. Kevin Durant and LeBron James Played Tougher Competition", "Top Moments: Dream Team takes world by storm in 1992", "N.B.A. Michael Jordan Was Not the Best Player on the 1992 Dream Team. Barcelona's 1992 Dream Team: The Side That Laid the Foundation for the Club's Future Triumphs Grey Whitebloom 11/24/2020 Biden to order 100M more doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine White won, 40 to 36, in what Jordan recalled as "the best game I was ever in" and Sports Illustrated later called "the Greatest Game Nobody Ever Saw". Barcelona's Dream Team - where are they now? “My family were huge Olympic fans. Ferrer was a local kid who went on to become a key part of Barcelona’s Dream Team and finished his career at Chelsea in the pre-Abramovich era. On that college team were future NBA players such as Grant Hill, Chris Webber, Jamal Mashburn, Penny Hardaway, Allan Houston, Bobby Hurley, Eric Montross, and … [18] Bird had back trouble, but was selected due to the team's historic nature. The 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, nicknamed the "Dream Team", was the first American Olympic team to feature active professional players from the National Basketball Association (NBA). "[35] Marv Albert, who announced the game, recalled that "it was as if [the Americans] were playing a high school team, or grade school team. Barcelona's 1992 European Cup winning squad: Where are they now? Officially, it was the U.S. Olympic team, together for just a few weeks. All 12 players have long since retired from play. In La Liga, there was an eerie sense of deja vu in the season as it came down to the final match day with Barcelona trailing Real Madrid by a solitary point. For Bird, who was 35 years old at the time and coming to the end of his 13 th season in the NBA, the call requesting his participation was the fulfilment of a lifelong ambition. I selected the following players from the 1992 Dream Team members: Andoni Zubizarreta, Pep Guardiola, Albert Ferrer, Txiki Begiristain, Ramón Alexanko and Jose Mari Bakero.-- Spain dominated club football from 2008 to 2012. [56] Many international players credited the Dream Team as their inspiration to take up basketball. [57], Kobe Bryant and LeBron James said they believed their 2012 Olympic team would win against the Dream Team. [8] In the 1988 Summer Olympics, the Americans lost to the USSR and settled for bronze, their worst finish in the history of the tournament. EDITORS NOTE: With the Tokyo Olympics postponed for a year because of the coronavirus pandemic, The Associated Press is looking back at the history of Summer Games. The following year, the team was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.[53]. The Soviet proposal to limit the national teams to only two NBA players for the first few years was then unanimously rejected. It created mixed feelings, it caused a mixed reaction about the U.S. "[52] Subsequently, the number of international players in the NBA rose. Some of the greatest players ever joined up on Team USA in 1992 for the Barcelona Olympic Games. [21][22] Christian Laettner of Duke University was added on May 12, 1992, chosen over Louisiana State University's Shaquille O'Neal.[23]. —-. "[15], Jordan was the only player who studied the opposition, carefully watching game tapes. Basketball The Dream Team | Barcelona 1992 An unforgettable squad of players, including Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson, made up the gold medal-winning 'Dream Team' at Barcelona 92. [198] [199] In 2013, however, Barcelona made a "historic" comeback from a 0–2 first leg defeat in the round of 16 of the 2012–13 Champions League , winning 4–0 at the Camp Nou. [15], On May 12, 1992, Clyde Drexler of the Portland Trail Blazers was chosen over Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons for the final professional roster spot. Coimbra's resulting free throw was the only point scored by Angola during a 46–1 run by the US. The Dream Team also marked the first super-team. Years with FC Barcelona: 8 seasons (1986-94) Key stats: Won four consecutive titles with Johan Cruyff’s "Dream Team." The 1992 Games were the first at which basketball’s NBA players could participate. Six days later, in Barcelona the squad lost the semifinal 1–2 against Bayern München and was eliminated from the UEFA Cup tournament. 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