:strip_icc()/i.s3.glbimg.com/v1/AUTH_bc8228b6673f488aa253bbcb03c80ec5/internal_photos/bs/2024/R/F/sx8EC8TzmoIfzpvjoL4A/gettyimages-2162188627.jpg?w=760&resize=760,456&ssl=1 "68 points and two losses to gain; remember USA’s debut in men’s basketball | Olympics")
The start of the United States men’s basketball team, with stars like Stephen Curry and LeBron James, this Sunday at 12:15 p.m. (Brasilia time), against Serbia, is certainly one of the great attractions of the second day of competitions at the Paris Olympics.
However, if you take the victory of the latest version of the “Dream Team” lightly, Know that the North Americans have already failed in their Olympic debut. And not just once, but twice. The most recent, by the way, in the previous version of the games.
The 83-76 loss to France in the first round of the tournament at Tokyo 2021 was the United States’ first defeat at the Olympics since losing to Argentina in the semi-finals of Athens 2004, when the North Americans finished with only a bronze medal.
France finished with a score of 83 x 76 and defeated the United States in the basketball opener
The United States’ second Olympic defeat was at Athens 2004, when they were beaten by Puerto Rico by an incredible margin of 92 to 73.
Yet in the first stage, the North Americans would suffer another defeat, this time to Lithuania 94 to 90, qualifying in fourth and last place in the group. This was the country’s worst participation since Seoul 1988, the last Olympics without NBA stars.
LeBron James was the flag bearer for the United States at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games
In the other 17 editions of the men’s basketball tournament at the Olympics, the United States has always started with a win. From a modest 56 to 23 score over the Philippines at the Berlin Games in 1936, to a comfortable 119 to 62 over China in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
However, the largest margin achieved at an Olympic Games debut was recorded in Barcelona 1992, when the original “Dream Team” of Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird defeated Angola by 116 to 48, a 68-point advantage.
All United States teams making their Olympic debut
1936 Olympics (Berlin) – Gold Medal
United States 56 x 23 Philippines
1948 Olympics (London) – Gold Medal
United States 86 x 21 Switzerland
1952 Olympics (Helsinki) – Gold Medal
United States 66 x 48 Hungary
1956 Olympics (Melbourne) – Gold Medal
United States 98 x 40 Japan
1960 Olympics (Rome) – Gold Medal
United States 88 x 54 Italy
1964 Olympics (Tokyo) – Gold Medal
United States 78 x 45 Australia
1968 Olympics (Mexico City) – Gold Medal
United States 81 x 46 Spain
1972 Olympics (Munich) – Silver Medal
United States 66 x 35 Czechoslovakia
1976 Olympics (Montreal) – Gold Medal
United States 106 x 86 Italy
1984 Olympics (Los Angeles) – Gold Medal
United States 97 x 49 China
1988 Olympics (Seoul) – Bronze Medal
United States 97 x 53 Spain
1992 Olympics (Barcelona) – Gold Medal
United States 116 x 48 Angola
1996 Olympics (Atlanta) – Gold Medal
United States 96 x 68 Argentina
2000 Olympics (Sydney) – Gold Medal
United States 119 x 72 China
2004 Olympics (Athens) – Bronze Medal
United States 73 x 92 Puerto Rico
2008 Olympics (Beijing) – Gold Medal
United States 101 x 70 China
2012 Olympics (London) – Gold Medal
United States 98 x 71 France
2016 Olympics (Rio de Janeiro) – Gold Medal
United States 119 x 62 China
2020 Olympics (Tokyo) – Gold Medal
United States 76 x 83 France
* The United States boycotted the 1980 Games in Moscow.
Cory Weinberg is a contributor to Sproutwired.com, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Cory’s work highlights relevant stories, practical insights and important issues affecting communities and industries, with an emphasis on accuracy, clarity and information that readers can trust.
