Hall of Famer Charles Barkley won gold for Team USA in the 1992 and ’96 Olympics.
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The USA is largely and sensibly considered the source for the best collection of players in the world.
So who are the best of the best in Olympic competition? As in, the best Americans ever to wear Team USA across their chest?
Remember: before the Olympics welcomed professional players 32 years ago, most Americans enjoyed their lone Olympic experience and moved on to making money, disqualifying themselves under the amateur rules.
That’s why it’s tricky, and maybe unfair, to judge those who played before 1992. They’d get shortchanged. Bill Russell had only one shot. Same for Oscar Robertson and Jerry West — and even Spencer Haywood, who was tremendous as a teenager when he led the 1968 team in scoring.
All were great Olympians. But it’s apples to today’s oranges. Besides, the competition around the world, for the most part, was limited to the occasionally imposing team from the former Soviet Union.
Here are the top 10 since 1992, with apologies to Dwyane Wade, solid in 2008 who just missed the cut:
1. Kevin Durant
His devotion to Team USA runs deeper than his devotion to any NBA team he repped. Unlike other stars of his generation, he has never declined an invite to rep the red, white and blue in the Games, devoting his entire summer to the cause.
There’s a sense of pride inside KD when it comes to the Olympics, and it shows. He’s the USA’s all-time leading scorer. He carried the last two Olympic teams, especially in 2020 with a roster that undoubtedly was affected by the pandemic.
Give the man his flowers — and his medals; it will be an unprecedented fourth gold if USA prevails in Paris.
2. Carmelo Anthony
One can argue that Anthony’s prime basketball was a toss-up between the Knicks and Team USA. One thing’s for sure — his 37 points in 14 minutes off the bench against Nigeria in 2012 (13-for-16 shooting) was legendary, breaking Stephon Marbury’s 2004 single-game record and unlike anything Anthony ever did in the NBA.
Anthony was the USA’s all-time scorer before Kevin Durant topped him. Still, Anthony has three gold medals and a bronze, the most medal haul ever — for now.
3. Charles Barkley
He famously said: “I don’t know anything about Angola, but Angola’s in trouble.” With that, “Sir Charles” bum-rushed his way into the Olympics, leading with a sharp elbow and a gift of gab, as part of the iconic Dream Team.
He led that richly talented team in scoring at 18 points per game, then returned four years later and led the 1996 team in scoring and rebounds, even though his skills began to decline. He also would’ve repped three Olympic teams had Bob Knight, citing Barkley’s defense, not cut him in 1984. Knight later said that was a mistake.
4. Michael Jordan
Was there ever a more important figure in Olympic basketball history? Probably not. Jordan was at the height of his popularity in 1992 on that Dream Team as Magic Johnson was done and Larry Bird was on his last legs. It was Jordan’s aura that ignited basketball awareness worldwide.
Keep in mind that the Dream Team wasn’t his first rodeo. His basketball breakout came in 1984 when, during tryouts, Knight declared Jordan “the best basketball player I’ve ever seen.” Jordan led that team in scoring at 17 ppg and a megastar was born.
5. LeBron James
He’s playing in his fourth Olympics and could’ve had a few more if not for injuries and/or a desire to rest. James was also a crucial piece on the deeply talented Redeem Team of 2008.
Hard to believe that, in his first Olympics in 2004 not long removed from high school, James was a secondary option and came away with bronze. Fast forward to now, at age 39, he’s frisky and looking to finish his Olympic run in style with a third gold medal.
6. Kobe Bryant
Unbeaten in 16 games, Bryant established himself as the A-lister among A-listers in 2008 and ’12. His American peers yielded to him — the ultimate sign of respect. Some of them — Durant and others — grew up watching him on the Lakers and were inspired by him.
Bryant averaged 15 points on the Redeem Team, then 12 points four years later, and carved out a place as one of the most influential American players in Olympic history.
7. Scottie Pippen
He deserves mention if only for the way he hunted Toni Kukoc in 1992. Pippen took it personally that Kukoc, who played the same position, was Bulls GM Jerry Krause’s latest pet project and wanted to see if Kukoc could handle the heat.
Pippen was a tremendous defensive force on the Dream Team, then returned four years later and averaged double figures for the ‘96 squad, finishing up with a pair of gold medals.
8. Chris Mullin
The value of having shooters in international play became heightened just as Mullin arrived as perhaps the best shooter with range that the USA could offer, especially given the international 3-point line.
So he became a desired player in 1984, where he finished second to Jordan and was among the team leaders in steals and assists. Eight years later, Mullin’s appointment to the Dream Team made much sense, and he received plenty of open looks on a team with Johnson, Jordan, Barkley and others.
9. Patrick Ewing
Fresh from terrorizing opposing players while at Georgetown, Ewing terrorized the world in 1984 as the country’s finest rim protector. Strangely enough, Ewing first showed glimpses of an offensive game with baseline jumpers that would benefit him in the NBA with the Knicks.
Eight years later, his Dream Team appointment was a layup. He led that team in blocked shots and tied Karl Malone in rebounds.
10. David Robinson
Yet another Dream Teamer? Yes, once you get past the vision of Robinson being part of the ill-fated 1988 team that failed to win gold, which made America cry and jump-started the movement to include professionals.
But the Admiral was devoted to his country and played in not two, but three Olympics, returning for 1996 where he was a primary option and earned additional basketball stripes.
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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.
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