Most Shocking Results for Team USA in Olympics Basketball History

The Olympic Games have written phenomenal stories in the history of basketball. And the USA National Basketball Men’s Team has been a dominant force throughout the national stage. However, they are no strangers to some historic upsets in the Olympic Games starting from 1972.

The 1972 historic Olympic final: USA vs USSR

The thought of the 1972 Olympic Games at Munich is a daunting and bitter experience for most Americans. They faced their single defeat in the Olympics ever since 1936, that too in an odd fashion. The USA and USSR teams met in the gold medal match having won all eight games on the way.

Soviets, led by Sergei Belo, pushed the USA’s leading scorer Dwight Jones into getting ejected during the first half of the game. Even though the Soviets lost their man Mikheil Korkia in the same ejection as well, it seemed like a bigger disadvantage for the Americans. And with this, USA’s Doug Collins’ tale unfolded.

A few minutes after dragging through the court in pain, Doug Collins was found on the free-throw line with three seconds left to the buzzer. His left eye was swelled up and his wrist was in utter pain. However, Collins nailed those free throws right inside to take the USA score past USSR by 50-49. While Americans threw their hands in the air in celebration, none knew that it wasn’t the history to be written.

The Soviets were offered a chance to inbound by the match officials for reasons unidentified by anyone to date. After a failed inbound, to American’s nightmare, their opponents were given the second inbound to waste as well. And yes, there was a third attempt which was finally dropped inside by USSR’s Aleksandr Belov.

Eventually, this moment went in denial in US history books. They refused to accept the silver medal and still believe it to be a snatched glory by the Soviets.

First bronze for Team USA in 1988 Seoul Olympic Games

US National Basketball Men’s Team was headed by coach John Thompson during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. This year was a sense of familiar bitter taste for Team USA. Once again they were up against the Soviet Union but this time the two rivals met early in the Olympic Games semifinals.

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The bigoted 1972 Olympics didn’t fade away in the minds of the Americans. However, this time they faced a full-proof loss to the Soviets by 82-76. Distasteful memories went afresh for Team USA and they eventually had to settle for a bronze medal in Seoul.

John Thompson had a reason to complain this year as NBA players weren’t allowed to play in the Olympics back then. FIBA lifted the restriction in 1989 that led to the birth of the 1992 Dream Team.

The 2004 Athens Olympic Games upset

Team USA had been carrying a 24-game winning streak since 1992, and it finally ended in the 2004 Athens Olympics. On paper, the roster was capable of greater accolades, however, it ended as a big upset for them in Olympic history.

Led by Hall of Fame head coach Larry Brown, Team USA lost three matches this year. The lineup included All-stars Tim Duncan and Allen Iverson who were chosen as captains. Additionally, the three famous rookies, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwyane Wade were also part of the 2004 team.

The Americans faced an early upset in Athens after an opening match defeat to Puerto Rico by 19 points. And the number of losses were made three after falling down to Argentina and Lithuania as well. Team USA went home with a disappointing bronze medal – their second one after the 1988 Seoul exit.

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