It was the Barcelona Olympics in the summer of 1992 when I really caught basketball fever. Up until then I’d been a fan of the NBA, living in England, making do with the occasional video of a “game of the week” arriving in the post. But this was the Summer Games of the “Dream Team”, the magical collective of multi-millionaires rubbing shoulders with amateurs, ready to school the world in the art of basketball. The fact that they won the Gold Medal is almost immaterial, as it was expected of them. I’m more interested in the NBA stars who have subsequently taken their place on the US Men’s Basketball team, and how many times they have played for their country.
Olympics 1992 (8-0, gold medal) & and an identical roster for FIBA 1992 (6-0)
If you follow any kind of fantasy sport in a newspaper or online, delighting in picking your favourite players and wishing that they could ever have the chance to play together, 1992’s US Olympic Basketball team truly was that dream come to life. All-time NBA superstar Michael Jordan and his sidekick Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls were suiting up alongside Earvin “Magic” Johnson of the L.A. Lakers and his classic ‘80s rival Larry Bird of the Boston Celtics. Then there was the “Round Mound of Rebound”, Charles Barkley, the ever-intense seven feet tall center, Patrick Ewing of the New York Knicks, Clyde “The Glide” Drexler of the Portland Trailblazers, and “The Admiral”, David Robinson. Everybody’s favourite dynamic duo that you loved to hate, John Stockton and Karl Malone of the Utah Jazz were there, leaving the man with the tight shorts and buzz haircut, Chris Mullin, and the twelfth man on the roster, Duke University representative (and later NBA journeyman) Christian Laettner.
World Championships 1994 (8-0, gold medal)
So what happened next to the victorious US basketball team? Two years after Barcelona, all twelve of the “Dream Team” had either retired or been set aside in favour of showcasing the NBA’s next generation at the World Championships. Ewing and Robinson at center were replaced by the new athletic powerhouses of Shaquille O’Neal and Alonzo Mourning. Steve Smith and Dan Majerle, comfortable at both shooting guard and small forward, moved in to Pippen and Mullin’s slots. The powerful front court of Barkley and Malone were rested in favour of Derrick Coleman and Larry Johnson, and the slow-moving skills of Larry Bird and Christian Laettner were replaced by young superstar Shawn Kemp and perhaps the only other big-name star who should have been on the ’92 Olympic team, Atlanta’s Dominique Wilkins. In the back court, the guard positions were slightly more reliant on age and experience. Point guards Magic Johnson and John Stockton had their spots taken by Kevin Johnson of the Phoenix Suns and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Mark Price. The extraordinary pair of shooting guards, Jordan and Drexler, could hardly be “replaced” but their positions were filled by the charismatic Reggie Miller of the Indiana Pacers, and the Detroit Pistons’ well-respected Joe Dumars.
Olympics 1996 (8-0, gold medal)
Maybe sentiment was part of the selection process of the USA Basketball organization, as Olympics on home soil in 1996 saw the return of some of the “Dream Team”. Five of the twelve players who won the Gold medal in Barcelona lined up at the Atlanta games: David Robinson, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, and Scottie Pippen. Of the ’94 World Championship team, only Shaquille O’Neal and Reggie Miller held on to their spots for the 1996 Olympics. The other five roster spots went to the Houston Rockets center, Hakeen Olajuwon, guards Penny Hardaway, Gary Payton, and Mitch Richmond, and young forward Grant Hill.
FIBA 1999 (10-0, gold medal)
With the NBA labour dispute putting paid to the USA fielding a team of its top stars for the 1998 World Championships, it wasn’t until the FIBA "Tournament of the Americas" in 1999 that America was next able to send out the big guns in an international tournament. Only point guard Gary Payton still remained on the team from the ’96 Olympic team, Steve Smith returned having been on the ’94 World Championship roster, and a further ten new faces made their debut for the United States: Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, forwards Kevin Garnett, Tom Gugliotta, Elton Brand, and Vin Baker, and the guards Jason Kidd, Tim Hardaway, Allan Houston, Richard Hamilton, and Wally Szczerbiak.
Olympics 2000 (8-0, gold medal)
The following year when the Olympics took place in Sydney, the USA team managed to maintain some continuity. Kidd, Payton, Tim Hardaway, Houston, Garnett, Steve Smith, and Baker were still on the roster that competed in 1999. At center, Alonzo Mourning came back in place of Tim Duncan having not featured since the 1994 World Championships. Forwards Elton Brand and Tom Gugliotta were left off in favour of Antonio McDyess and Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and two of the NBA’s brightest talents, Ray Allen and Vince Carter, replaced Hamilton and Szczerbiak.
World Championships 2002 (6-3, 6th Place)
However, as with the interim World Championship squad between the ’92 and ’96 Olympic Games, the players on the USA team were almost entirely made up of international “rookies” for the 2002 World Championships. The only exceptions were Reggie Miller, who was back at shooting guard for the first time since the Atlanta Olympics six years earlier, and Elton Brand returned to a spot in the front court having earlier been on the ’99 FIBA roster. The new guards were Baron Davis, Andre Miller and Jay Williams, the big men were Antonio Davis, Raef LaFrentz, Ben Wallace and Jermaine O’Neal, and a rather small group of forwards comprised Michael Finley , Shawn Marion of the Phoenix Suns, and Paul Pierce of the Celtics. Inexperience no doubt told as the USA lost three of its nine games to finish 6th overall behind Yugoslavia, Argentina and Germany in the medal positions.
FIBA 2003 (10-0, gold medal)
The selections for the 2003 FIBA tournament, with the exception of Elton Brand and Jermaine O’Neal, reflected a new roster. But this time it was a combination of totally new players, and previous US stars being brought back into the fold. Guards Jason Kidd, Ray Allen, and Vince Carter returned for the first time since the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Kidd’s teammate from the last FIBA competition in 1999, Tim Duncan, was also back in USA colours. Allen Iverson made it onto the squad for the first time, as did Mike Bibby. The final four places went to forwards not previously selected – Richard Jefferson, Tracy McGrady, Kenyon Martin, and Nick Collison.
Olympics 2004 (5-3, bronze medal)
When the following year’s Olympic squad was announced to travel to Athens only Allen Iverson, Richard Jefferson and Tim Duncan kept their roster spots. Forward Shawn Marion returned having missed the 2003 FIBA competition, and previously been on the 2002 World Championships roster. Center Emeka Okafor replaced Jermaine O’Neal, point guard Stephon Marbury took over from Jason Kidd, and Dwyane Wade and Lamar Odom took the final back court places from Ray Allen and Vince Carter. Gone were forwards Elton Brand, Tracy McGrady, Nick Collison, and Kenyon Martin, and in their place the high-powered quartet of LeBron James (Cleveland), Carmelo Anthony (Denver), Carlos Boozer (Utah), and Amare Stoudamire (Phoenix). As they had done two years earlier, the US team suffered disappointing losses and ended with the bronze medal behind Argentina and Italy.
World Championships 2006 (8-1, bronze medal)
James, Anthony and Wade continued on from the Athens Games to head to the World Championship of 2006. Young star point guard Chris Paul joined the team along with Kirk Hinrich (Chicago) and shooting guard Joe Johnson. Iverson, Marbury and Odom all made way for the trio. Elton Brand returned for the first time since the 2003 FIBA competition in addition to a group of new forwards: Antawn Jamison, Shane Battier and Chris Bosh. Meanwhile the center spot went to Brad Miller (Sacramento) and the “next Shaquille” Dwight “Superman” Howard (Orlando Magic) in place of Tim Duncan and Emeka Okafor.
FIBA 2007 (10-0, gold medal)
LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard were now the mainstays of the USA team, point guard Jason Kidd was back to offer leadership and experience, and amazingly for the first time on the roster was Kobe Bryant of the Lakers. Amare Stoudamire was back for the first time since the 2004 Olympics, along with a group of six first-timers: Deron Williams (Utah), Michael Redd (Milwaukee), Chauncey Billups (Detroit), Mike Miller (Memphis), Tayshaun Prince (Detroit), and Tyson Chandler (New Orleans).
Olympics 2008 (final placing not yet known!)
The "Redeem Team" currently duelling for the gold medal in Beijing show a good deal of continuity with the 2006 World Championship and 2007 FIBA rosters, with all twelve of the USA roster previously having represented their country. But this time they are trying to make up for the disappointment of only coming home with bronze medals at the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Championships. Dwight Howard has a lock on the center position, alongside forwards Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James. Kidd and Bryant remain in the back court with 2007 FIBA “rookies” Michael Redd and Deron Williams, with Wade and Paul returning from their last outings at the 2006 Worlds. Tayshaun Prince kept his place, Carlos Boozer was a holdover from the previous Olympic squad in Athens, while Chris Bosh was also last used at the World Championships in 2006. So plenty of experience indicating that the selection committee wish to take no chances with the Olympic title this time around!
The Combined Roster of 16 Years of the USA Team
When you tally up the rosters that the US has fielded ever since the 1992 Dream Team captured glory and the world’s imagination in Barcelona, a player could conceivably have been selected a total of 12 times to represent his country. There have been 92 players filling the 144 roster spots with point guard Jason Kidd appearing the most times. Here is how a combined roster of American talent stacks up:
5 selections Guard Jason Kidd (Phoenix / New Jersey / Dallas)
4 selections F / G LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
4 selections Forward Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
4 selections Forward Elton Brand (Duke Uni / L.A. Clippers)
3 selections Guard John Stockton (Utah Jazz)
3 selections Guard Reggie Miller (Indiana Pacers)
3 selections Guard Gary Payton (Seattle Supersonics)
3 selections Guard Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
3 selections G / F Steve Smith (Miami / Portland / Atlanta)
3 selections Forward Scottie Pippen (Chicago Bulls)
3 selections Forward Charles Barkley (Phoenix Suns)
3 selections Forward Karl Malone (Utah Jazz)
3 selections F / C Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
3 selections F / C Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
3 selections Center David Robinson (San Antonio Spurs)
2 selections Guard Michael Jordan (Chicago Bulls)
2 selections Guard Magic Johnson (L.A. Lakers)
2 selections Guard Clyde Drexler (Portland Trailblazers)
2 selections Guard Kobe Bryant (L.A. Lakers)
2 selections Guard Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)
2 selections Guard Ray Allen (Milwaukee / Seattle)
2 selections Guard Vince Carter (Toronto Raptors)
2 selections Guard Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
2 selections Guard Michael Redd (Milwaukee Bucks)
2 selections Guard Deron Williams (Utah Jazz)
2 selections Guard Allan Houston (New York Knicks)
2 selections Guard Tim Hardaway (Miami Heat)
2 selections Forward Larry Bird (Boston Celtics)
2 selections Forward Kevin Garnett (Minnesota Timberwolves)
2 selections Forward Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)
2 selections Forward Shawn Marion (Phoenix Suns)
2 selections Forward Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)
2 selections Forward Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons)
2 selections Forward Chris Mullin (Golden State Warriors)
2 selections Forward Richard Jefferson (New Jersey Nets)
2 selections Forward Christian Laettner (Duke University - later NBA)
2 selections Forward Vin Baker (Seattle Supersonics)
2 selections C / F Amare Stoudamire (Phoenix Suns)
2 selections C / F Jermaine O’Neal (Indiana Pacers)
2 selections Center Patrick Ewing (New York Knicks)
2 selections Center Shaquille O’Neal (Orlando Magic)
2 selections Center Alonzo Mourning (Charlotte Hornets)
1 selection Guard Dan Majerle (Phoenix Suns)
1 selection Guard Kevin Johnson (Phoenix Suns)
1 selection Guard Baron Davis (New Orleans Hornets)
1 selection Guard Andre Miller (L.A. Clippers)
1 selection Guard Anfernee Hardaway (Orlando Magic)
1 selection Guard Mitch Richmond (Sacramento Kings)
1 selection Guard Mark Price (Cleveland Cavaliers)
1 selection Guard Joe Dumars (Detroit Pistons)
1 selection Guard Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
1 selection Guard Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings)
1 selection Guard Richard Hamilton (Connecticut Uni. - later NBA)
1 selection Guard Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons)
1 selection Guard Mike Miller (Memphis Grizzlies)
1 selection Guard Stephon Marbury (New York Knicks)
1 selection Guard Kirk Hinrich (Chicago Bulls)
1 selection Guard Jay Williams (Chicago Bulls)
1 selection G / F Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics)
1 selection G / F Tracy McGrady (Orlando Magic)
1 selection G / F Lamar Odom (L.A. Lakers)
1 selection G / F Michael Finley (Dallas Mavericks)
1 selection G / F Wally Szczerbiak (Miami Uni (Ohio) - later NBA)
1 selection Forward Dominique Wilkins (Atlanta Hawks)
1 selection Forward Shawn Kemp (Seattle Supersonics)
1 selection Forward Derrick Coleman (New Jersey Nets)
1 selection Forward Larry Johnson (Charlotte Hornets)
1 selection Forward Grant Hill (Detroit Pistons)
1 selection Forward Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards)
1 selection Forward Shane Battier (Houston Rockets)
1 selection Forward Antonio McDyess (Denver Nuggets)
1 selection Forward Kenyon Martin (New Jersey Nets)
1 selection Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Vancouver Grizzlies)
1 selection Forward Tom Gugliotta (Phoenix Suns)
1 selection F / C Emeka Okafor (Charlotte Bobcats)
1 selection F / C Tyson Chandler (New Orleans Hornets)
1 selection F / C Nick Collison (Seattle Supersonics)
1 selection F / C Raef LaFrentz (Dallas Mavericks)
1 selection Center Hakeen Olajuwon (Houston Rockets)
1 selection Center Brad Miller (Sacramento Kings)
1 selection Center Antonio Davis (Toronto Raptors)
1 selection Center Ben Wallace (Detroit Pistons)
The Future USA Basketball Roster?
So what will the future hold for the USA Basketball team? Based on the dynamic squad put together for the Beijing Olympics, it’s likely that a few of the same names will be selected for the 2010 World Championships and 2011 FIBA tournament. Will any of them still be around for the London Olympics in 2012?
I think we could see LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat move forward from the current twelve man Olympic roster. Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant may step aside in favour of younger talent, while less “glamorous” stars such as Chris Bosh (Toronto), Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams (both Utah), Tayshaun Prince (Detroit), and Michael Redd (Milwaukee) could be set aside to further the NBA’s global publicity drive for its ever-changing new and exciting player pool.
So the obvious candidates to join the USA squad are: Brandon Roy and his Portland Trailblazers teammate Greg Oden (depending on how he plays having sat out his true rookie year injured), Amare Stoudamire (Phoenix Suns), Kevin Durant (Seattle Supersonics), and Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks). The other two stars of the future that may emerge are the top two picks from the 2008 Draft – guard Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls) and forward Michael Beasley (Miami Heat). How about this for a USA team depth chart of the future?
Point Guard - Chris Paul / Derrick Rose
Shooting Guard - Dwyane Wade / Kevin Durant / Brandon Roy
Small Forward - LeBron James / Carmelo Anthony / Josh Smith
Power Forward - Amare Stoudamire / Michael Beasley
Center - Dwight Howard / Greg Oden
New stars and fan favourites will no doubt emerge, but the future of both the NBA and the US Men’s national basketball team’s gold medal prospects look assured for many years to come!
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