Image via Complex Original
So far, USA basketball hasn't missed a step. Both the men's and the women's squads are proving why they're the best in the world. The men are on a mission to win gold for the second straight time while the women shoot for their fifth straight. That's right, the women are on their way to accomplish a feat that the men haven't done since 1968.
The US has been the benchmark of Olympic basketball since 1936. They've won 16 straight medals (24 if you count the women's 8) since then and are looking to add a few more to that number. There's been a lot of big moments during that time frame on both sides. Like the time Kobe Bryant blew up in the fourth quarter of the 2008 gold medal game in Beijing or when Jordan and Pippen shut Toni Kukoc down. This year's men's team already had a badass moment when a player from Tunisia asked Kobe for an autograph. Check out the rest of The Most Badass Moments in Team USA Basketball History.
Related: Gallery: The Progression of the Team USA Basketball Uniform
Related: Fantasy Basketball: Which American City Could Field the Best Team of Homegrown Players?
16. D-Wade and The Black Mamba Connect for the Ill Alley-Oop
Date: 2008
In this clip, two of the greatest two guards in history connect for this amazing play against Greece. First, Dwyane Wade steals the ball, then as he saves it from going out of bounds he alleys it to Kobe Bryant for the monster finish. Greece never knew what was coming. Side note: As great as this alley-oop was, it still doesn't compare to these full-court connections. #justsayin'
15. Kobe Signs a Tunisian Player's Kicks
Date: 7/31/2012
After the US blew out Tunisia, Mohamed Hadidane asked Kobe to sign his sneakers. Hadidane wore Team USA Nike Elite socks and Team USA Nike Zoom Kobe VIIs during the game. Both the socks and the sneakers were made exclusively for Team USA, but that didn't stop Mohamed from trying to be like his favorite player. We wonder if we'll see more moments like these once the games really start getting underway.
14. Charles Barkley Being Charles Barkley
Date: 1992
The outspoken Barkley stole the show during the '92 Olympics. He partied in the Olympic village until the wee hours of the morning, talked shit in press conferences and threw elbows at the hearts of opposing teams. Chuck's personality proved to be out of this world and it translated into him being one of the most recognizable figures in sports today. During the '92 Games, he averaged 18 points per game and served as America's bully.
13. Bobby Knight Ethers the Soviets
Date: 1984
The US boycotted the 1980 Moscow Olympics as a protest to the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan, so the Soviets boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as a form of retaliation. After the US easily won the gold in '84, Bobby Knight had this to say: "I've been watching them [the Russians] for two years. The Russians wouldn't have won here," he said. "They can't play defense. They couldn't have beaten some of the teams in this tournament, and if you guys don't know that, you're not as smart as I think...And I don't think you're too smart, anyway." Knight added, "We'll beat their butt anywhere they want to play." Lesson learned: Don't fuck with coach Knight.
12. The Dream Team vs. the College Select Team
Date: 1992
During the practices leading up to the Summer Games, the Dream Team held scrimmages against each other and against the premier college players of the day. The first time they faced-off against the youngsters, Chris Webber, Grant Hill and the rest of their peers showed off a little bit. The college team filled with young stars beat an NBA team filled with Hall of Famers, but their joy soon turned to sadness. Rumor has it, the Dream Team didn't allow the college kids to score at all in the rematch. Footage of the now famous scrimmage surfaced in the recent Dream Team documentary that aired on NBA TV back in June. See for yourself.
11. The Redeem Team
Date: 2008
Fresh off of an embarrassing bronze medal finish during the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Team USA changed their selection process. The selection committee made it mandatory for the same roster of players to commit for three years. The new rules worked out as the USA Men's Basketball Team was able to build chemistry during the 2006 World Basketball Championships that carried into the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Although they lost in the WBC semis to Greece, Team USA ran through every team they faced until the gold medal game vs. Spain. There the US came out on top with a 118-107 win, lead by Wade's 27 and Bryant's 20. This is the squad everyone should be comparing to the Dream Team.
10. First Gold
Date: August 1936
During the first year basketball was given medal status, the US won gold. Not only was this America's first gold medal in the sport, but Dr. Naismith himself did the honors and placed the gold on the players' necks. Twenty-three nations were represented giving basketball the distinction of the largest tournament of all the team sports. The US beat Canada in the gold medal game, 19-8. The low score had to do with the game being held outside in the rain. This had to be a surreal moment for the good doctor to see a game he invented be recognized by the world.
9. 63 Straight Wins
Date: 1936-1972
Once basketball was accepted as a medal sport in the Olympics, the Americans dominated. The US went undefeated in seven straight Olympiads, winning 63 straight until the controversial gold medal game vs. the USSR in 1972. Team USA regrouped and went on a 21-game winning streak from 1976-1988 until they lost to their arch rival, the Soviet Union. A loss that played a part in NBA players being allowed to participate in the Games.
8. 16 Straight Medals
Date: 1936-Present
There hasn't been an Olympiad where the Americans didn't receive a medal in basketball. Overall, they've won 13 gold medals, one silver and two bronze medals. Sixteen up, 16 down. Team USA is poised to make it 17 straight, with the hopes of grabbing their 14 gold. If a country made the game what it is today, then said country should dominate.
7. The Mamba Goes in For the Kill
Date: 8/24/2008
First of all, let's start off by saying Dwyane Wade had 27 points and 4 steals in this very game. But in the fourth quarter, with Team USA's lead down to two, Kobe Bean Bryant went ape. He scored 13 of his 20 in the final period, including a four-point play that fouled Rudy Fernandez out of the game. Bryant also made two huge passes, one to Deron Williams for a three and another to Dwight for a dunk. Each pass and make served as back-breakers to the Spanish. With this performance, Kobe let the world know why he was the 2008 NBA MVP.
6. FOH with those Silver Medals
Date: 9/9/1972
The US and the USSR found themselves in a dog fight during the 1972 Gold Medal game. After Doug Collins hit a couple clutch free-throws with three seconds left to give Team USA a one-point lead, there first of the game, the Soviets inbounded the ball and called timeout with one second left—originally the USSR tried to call time between Collins' free throws, but that wasn't allowed.
Amongst the confusion, officials decided to reset the clock at three seconds and allowed the Soviets to inbound the ball again. The horn sounded and the Americans seemed to come away with the gold, but the clock failed to reset to three seconds. Needless to say, the Soviets made a desperation layup and the 1972 US Men's Basketball team have refused to accept the silver medal 'til the very day.
5. Pippen & Jordan vs. Kukoc
Date: July 1992
Poor Toni Kukoc. Once Scottie and Michael caught wind of Bulls GM Jerry Krause's infatuation with the young Croatian, they made it their life's work to destroy Toni's confidence. Krause drafted the budding international star during the 1990 NBA Draft because he didn't want to renegotiate Pippen's contract. But, Kukoc chose to stay in Europe for a few more seasons and the Bulls were on their way to a third straight championship once the 1992 Summer Games came along.
So, with the world and Krause watching, Scottie and Michael put the clamps on Toni holding him to four points on 2-11 shooting and 7 turnovers. During their second meeting, a Croatian National Team that featured NBA players like Dino Radja and Drazen Petrovic never stood a chance and lost 117-85 in the gold medal game. Toni would enter the NBA during the '93-'94 season and would play a major role in Chicago's second three-peat. Karma is funny that way.
4. The Dunk of Death
Date: 10/1/2000
If you look up badass in the dictionary, there's a picture of this dunk right next to it. First, Vince Carter steals the ball then without missing a beat, jumps over a 7'2" human being and defecates all over dude's neck, then, Carter almost knocks KG the fuck out. Twelve years later and this dunk has yet to be topped and probably never will.
3. The US Women Dominate
Date: 1992-Present
Come on now, we've got to show the women some love. The ladies are attempting to win their fifth straight gold medal this summer and are on a 33-game winning streak dating back to 1992. Their success during this time period led to the creation of the WNBA. The women's team is looking to continue their decades of dominance with the help of superstars, Maya Moore and Candace Parker in London this summer. The homie Ben York wrote a cool piece about their quest for us last week; we suggest you read it.
2. The 1960 Team
Date: 1960
Led by future Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas, Walt Bellamy and Jerry West, the 1960 Olympic basketball squad made light of their competition. The original Dream Team scored 101 points per game while holding opponents to 59 points per contest with five players that averaged double figures. They defeated the Soviet Union, 81-57 to bring home the gold dead in the midst of the Cold War. The 1960 squad featured 10 future NBA players and several Rookie of the Year recipients. They are one of eight teams that have been inducted into the Hall as a unit.
1. The Dream Team
Date: 1992
The Dream Team were more than just basketball players, they were rock stars too. Opponents stood in awe as they played on the same court with the players they grew up idolizing. Players shamelessly asked for autographs and pictures before and after games. Team Cuba even went as far as to inviting the Americans for a quick photo op in center court before a game.
The Dream Team changed basketball forever, making it a global game. As opponents kneeled before their idols, the Dream Team defeated them in embarrassing fashion—almost like the Globetrotters demoralizing the Generals.