The unveiling of the United States basketball team for the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona caused a stir. For the first time in Olympic history, the US basketball roster included active NBA players, anchored by global phenom Michael Jordan.

As one can expect, the talent disparity between them and their opponents was gigantic. Remarkably, the team defeated its opponents by an average of 44 points en route to the gold medal. The team’s star power and their mastery on the court earned them the name “Dream Team.”

Amazingly, 10 of the 12 players on the roster were named among the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. That, however, does not reflect the complete tale of their supremacy. They were so clear of their adversaries that head coach Chuck Daly didn’t call a timeout during the tournament.

They were just that: the greatest team ever assembled. The team was led by Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird. The roster, however, was so stacked that anyone could have steered that squad.

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The remainder of the roster included NBA legends like Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Karl Malone, John Stockton, and Chris Mullin. Christian Laettner was the team’s lone collegiate player and went on to become a 13-year NBA veteran.

The “Dream Team” marked the beginning of a new era in international basketball. The squad was, to put it mildly, groundbreaking. Many individuals will regard it as the finest assemblage of talent ever.

Michael Jordan predicted American dominance ahead of the 1992 Olympics

Michael Jordan’s mindset made him much better than his adversaries. However, the unparalleled confidence wasn’t innate. Setting and attaining goals results in confidence, taking chances and seeing them pay off, going head to head with an impediment, and emerging victorious- That’s what Jordan was all about.

“His Airness” commanded the US basketball team for the 1992 Olympics. And, as any rational person would, MJ bet everything on the “Dream Team” to carry out a carnage.

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Jordan chatted with Playboy before the Olympics. When asked if they can expect a challenge for Olympic gold, the Bulls legend displayed complete confidence in his squad. He also went ahead to brag about the American dominance in basketball.

“When you look at the talent and the teams we’re supposed to play against, it’s a massacre,” Jordan claimed. “It should never be close. We taught them the game of basketball. We’ve got people who have the ability and the height. We’re talking about the greatest players that play the game now and the team is the best team that’s ever been put together.” 

“Who’s going to beat us? The Japanese? The Chinese?”, he added. “They can’t match up to the athleticism we’re going to have on this team.”

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Jordan went on to remark that the squad features several legends of the game that the Europeans look up to. He also claimed that considering the roster’s quality, any close game should be considered a moral triumph for them.

The team eventually won all 8 of its Olympic games. They took home the gold after topping Croatia in the finals. Their supremacy on the floor was unrivaled, as was their popularity. Chuck Daly said it best; “It was like Elvis and the Beatles put together.”