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Glaring Stat Shows Talent Gap Faced By 2024 Olympic Team Vs. 1992 Dream Team

The United States Olympic team will face far more NBA players from around the globe in 2024 than it did when the Dream Team won gold in 1992.

Scott Salomon

Aug 8, 1992; Badalona, SPAIN; FILE PHOTO; USA Dream Team guard Michael Jordan (9) is defended by Croatia guard Drazen Petrovic (4) in the mens basketball gold medal game during the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games at Pavello Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY SPORTS
Aug 8, 1992; Badalona, SPAIN; FILE PHOTO; USA Dream Team guard Michael Jordan (9) is defended by Croatia guard Drazen Petrovic (4) in the mens basketball gold medal game during the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games at Pavello Olympic Arena. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY SPORTS / USA TODAY SPORTS

When the United States fielded the Dream Team at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, they faced nine NBA players.

Those players included Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja, Sarunas Marciulionis and Detlef Schrempf.

This time around, Team USA is up against two-time MVP and NBA champion Giannis Antetounmpo of Greece. Nikola Jokic and Nikola Jovic are teammates for Serbia. Reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama and Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert are leading France.

In all, there are 61 players from 11 countries Team USA are competing against. The NBA is looking for more overseas players because interest has increased exponentially since 1992.

So while the Dream Team is considered the greatest in sport history after an easy 8-0 run to the gold medal, they faced inferior competition compared to today. Team USA refuses to take any opponent lightly. For example, there are no golfing on game days as there was in Barcelona in `92.

"Steph [Curry] and I are not going to be like [1992 U.S. coach] Chuck Daly and Mike [Jordan], we're not playing golf every day in France. I know Chuck and Michael had a great time together on game days playing 36 [holes]," Kerr said. "Those days are long gone. We have our hands full. Despite the amazing roster we have, FIBA is tough."

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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Scott Salomon

SCOTT SALOMON

Scott Salomon joined FanNation on Sports Illustrated in April 2024 covering breaking news and analysis for the Miami Dolphins channel. In June he joined Inside the Heat and Back in the Day NBA. Scott is based in South Florida and has been covering the local and national sports scene for 35 years. Scott has covered and has been credentialed for the Super Bowl, the NFL Combine, various Orange Bowls and college football championship games. Scott was also credentialed for the NBA All-Star game and covered the Miami Heat during their first six seasons for USA TODAY. Scott is a graduate of the University of Miami School of Communication and the St. Thomas University School of Law. Scott has two sons and his hobbies include watching sports on television and binge watching shows on various streaming services. Twitter: @ScottSalomonNFL