Charles Barkley Almost Gets Ejected In Dream Team's Preliminary Round Win Over Angola

Americans win 116-48 as Karl Malone scores 19 points. Magic Johnson added 10 assists.

Jun 28, 1992; Portland, OR, USA: FILE PHOTO; USA dream team guard Magic Johnson during the 1992 Tournament of the Americas at Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports / USA TODAY Sports

Charles Barkley was the last man added to the United States roster for the Barcelona games in 1992. Rod Thorm, a long time NBA executive and member of the selection committee had trepidation about including Barkley on the roster.

In a story appearing GQ in 2012, Lang Whitaker details the history behind Barkley's controversial addition to the team.

“Charles Barkley was one of the last guys put on the team. You wanted to make sure that everything went smoothly, that everybody represented the way you wanted them to represent," Thorn said. "And there were some who, frankly, were worried about Barkley.”

Barkley almost missed most of the Dream Team's first game in Barcelona in 1992 due to elbowing Angolan Herlander Coimbra. Barkley roughed up Coimbra, who was 75 pounds lighter than, sending him to the floor in the 116-48 blowout.

The foul was so flagrant Barkley almost got ejected.

After the game Michael Jordan said, "if he keeps this up, they're going to throw him out of the Olympics.

July 26, 1992: Magic Johnson with four assists to Larry Bird in the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team's 116-48 win over Angola at the Olympics in Barcelona.

Johnson finished with 10 AST. Bird scored 9 PTS. Charles Barkley led the "Dream Team" with 24 PTS (10-13 FG)/6 REB/5 AST. pic.twitter.com/5gn9omnBOU

— NBA Cobwebs (@NBACobwebs) July 26, 2024

While this was happening Jordan was crushing them with his poster dunks. Magic Johnson fed Jordan for several easy buckets. Johnson had 10 assists.

July 26, 1992: Karl Malone to Magic Johnson to Michael Jordan.

The U.S. men's Olympic basketball team defeated Angola, 116-48, during the preliminary round of the Olympics in Barcelona. Malone scored 19 PTS, Johnson had 10 AST and Jordan added 10 PTS/8 STL for the "Dream Team." pic.twitter.com/nLRjUmnNY5

— NBA Cobwebs (@NBACobwebs) July 26, 2024

Before the game, Angola coach Victorino Cunha told his team they were going to lose. He said his goal was to keep the deficit within 45 points.

It was the first of many easy victories by the Dream Team.

Scott Salomon is a contributor to Back In the Day Hoops On SI. He can be reached at sas@southfloridamedianetwork.com.

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