After a two-point loss to Lithuania in 2000, Team USA could no longer consider itself invulnerable, even with NBA players.
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When USA Basketball opened its program to NBA players in 1992, the global competition was initially overshadowed by American supremacy.
However, it didn’t take long for the competition to catch up.
Since the United States lost three times in 2004 and took the bronze medal, winning has not been a foregone conclusion on the Olympic stage. And that’s without counting the World Championships (now known as the FIBA World Cup), which the United States has won only twice in six attempts since 1998.
Here’s a look at the closest, yet most successful, Olympic trials for the Red-White-Blue since the Dream Team ushered in a new era of international basketball.
1992 — Barcelona, Spain
The Dream Team ushered in a new talent ceiling in 1992.
Opponent: Croatia
Scene: Gold Medal Match
Final score: 117-85
Margin of victory: 32
The Dream Team, led by all-time icons Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, emphatically ended the era of college players being dominated and outclassed by older, more experienced international competitors.
Even Croatia had little chance despite the NBA talents of Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc and Dino Radja. Jordan led the U.S. team with 22 points, and six other Americans joined him in double-digit scoring.
1996 — Atlanta, United States
A mainstay of the Olympic podium in the 1990s, Lithuania has proven to be a worthy test for Team USA over the years.
Opponent: Lithuania
Scene: Group game
Final score: 104-82
Margin of victory: 22
The 1996 U.S. team was hugely built, with a young Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson in midfield. Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Grant Hill and Scottie Pippen were equally opposed at forward.
That imposing front line neutralized the solid play of Lithuania, one of the most consistent international teams of the modern era. Still, the U.S.’s talent, physicality and three-point shooting (Reggie Miller, Mitch Richmond and Gary Payton all made 7 of 12 from three-point range in the game) kept the European nation out of reach.
2000 — Sydney, Australia
Lithuanian legend Sarunas Jasikevicius almost led his country to a crushing semi-final victory over Team USA in Sydney.
Opponent: Lithuania
Scene: Semi-finals
Final score: 85-83
Margin of victory: 2
Before returning to earth in 2004, the American team had its first real scare in Sydney. That’s where the formidable Lithuanians nearly sent the Americans home in stunning fashion.
Sarunas Jasikevicius, a basketball legend in his home country, fired what could have been the winning shot from midcourt as the buzzer sounded. The shot fell wide, narrowly allowing the United States to reach the final.
Lithuania took advantage of the USA’s turnovers (11) and poor free throws (21 of 30). The Americans were carried by an offensive line composed of Vince Carter, Alonzo Mourning and Kevin Garnett, who combined for 46 of the team’s 85 points.
2004 — Athens, Greece
In 2004, the U.S. team had as many close wins as it did losses, including a six-point victory over host Greece.
Opponent: Greece
Scene: Group game
Final score: 77-71
Margin of victory: 6
After a 19-point loss to Puerto Rico, the United States desperately needed a win in their next group game against Greece. They nearly fell short despite 14 points from Tim Duncan and 10 points from then-19-year-old backup LeBron James.
Antonis Fotsis, a forward who has shined overseas in his two brief NBA appearances, nearly led his country to victory with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting. Greece, however, couldn’t overcome a 17-point deficit on free throws, and the United States survived… only to lose to Lithuania in the group stage and then to eventual gold medalist Argentina in the semifinals.
2008 — Beijing, China
Facing a Spanish team in its prime, a resurgent American team proved its worth thanks to Kobe Bryant’s decisive performance in the gold medal game.
Opponent: Spain
Scene: Gold Medal Match
Final score: 118-107
Margin of victory: 11
A rebuilt and reinvigorated U.S. basketball team, fresh off bronze medals at the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Championships, arrived in Beijing as the “Redeem Team.” It played the role that led to the gold medal game, winning every game by 20 points or more while imposing overwhelming athleticism on its opponents.
Spain, gold medallists at the 2006 World Championships, did not give in so easily to the temptation of being beaten. Six Spaniards scored more than 10 points, led by Pau Gasol (21) and Rudy Fernandez (22). Gasol brought Spain back to within five points with 3:32 left.
That’s when Kobe Bryant, a former member of the younger U.S. team, stepped forward, hit a three-pointer and put a finger to his lips at the pro-Spanish contingent in the crowd. The United States held on to reclaim the gold and begin a new era of Olympic victories.
2012 — London, England
LeBron James became more assertive during the 2012 edition of Team USA, which won another gold medal.
Opponent: Lithuania
Scene: Group game
Final score: 99-94
Margin of victory: 5
Featuring most of its iconic 2008 core, Team USA went to the London Olympics expecting stiff competition from long-time rivals Spain and Argentina.
Lithuania, however, reminded Team USA of its own pedigree during the group stages. NBA forward Linas Kleiza scored 25 points, including a three-pointer that gave Lithuania an 82-80 lead. James, now in his prime and an NBA champion, picked up the slack at both ends of the floor, finishing with 20 points and three steals. Carmelo Anthony added 20 points in the win, the closest after another close win over Spain (107-100).
2016 — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Kyrie Irving took over as the starting point guard for Team USA in 2016.
Opponent: Serbia
Scene: Group game
Final score: 94-91
Margin of victory: 3
We preferred this win to the three-point victory against France a game later. Serbia had a more realistic chance of winning the game late in the game, especially after a Kyrie Irving mistake left the Serbs with the ball and down by just three points with about a minute left.
Neither team scored in the final minute and the United States held on after leading 23-5 early. Serbia managed to come back with Nikola Jokic (25 points) and Milos Teodosic (18 points, 6 assists). Irving led the United States with 15 points, while Paul George added 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
2021 — Tokyo, Japan
In a unique basketball year caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kevin Durant led Team USA to another gold medal.
Opponent: France
Scene: Gold Medal Match
Final score: 87-82
Margin of victory: 5
With France having already won their group stage victory 83-76 against the Americans, the gold medal match offered an electrifying revenge.
Rudy Gobert, who just won his third Kia Defensive Player of the Year award, was a commanding presence in the middle. Evan Fournier and Nicolas Batum manned the wings, while Euro League star Nando de Colo (12 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists) led the French attack.
Kevin Durant, however, cemented his place among the greatest international players of all time, finishing with a game-high 29 points on 50 percent shooting. Jayson Tatum added 19 points and seven rebounds as a substitute. France pulled within three points on a Frank Ntilikina three-pointer with 5:44 left, but the United States held them off to win their fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
2024 — Paris, France
Stephen Curry and LeBron James cemented their status as basketball icons with their spectacular comeback against Serbia.
Opponent: Serbia
Scene: Semi-finals
Final score: 95-91
Margin of victory: 4
One of the most thrilling victories in USA Basketball history saw the Americans come back from 17 points behind Nikola Jokic and the Serbians for a spot in the 2024 gold medal game. They did it behind the three standout stars of the previous generation: LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
James finished with a triple-double, effortlessly switching between assists for his teammates and breaking through the Serbian defense with attacks that defied his 39 years. Curry showed off his legendary shooting, amassing 36 points and hitting 9 of 14 from three-point range. Durant helped close out Serbia with decisive shots and efficient defense.
The victory came despite fantastic efforts from Jokic (17 points, 11 assists) and Bogdan Bogdanovic (20 points), who still have a chance to see their country win an Olympic medal.
