The Dream Team had a perfect run in the 1992 Summer Olympics, defeating all of their opponents by an average of 44 points. There was a stain on their reputation, though, after Charles Barkley elbowed Herlander Coimbra during Team USA’s tournament opener against Angola.
It certainly was an unfortunate first impression, as Barkley’s hit was met with loud boos from the Barcelona crowd. His teammates also admonished him, including Michael Jordan, who understood that the squad had a bad reputation among some folks at the time.
“If he keeps this up, they’re going to throw him out of the Olympics,” Jordan said. “We’ve already created some ill feelings here, and that didn’t help.”
Chuck continued to run his mouth
“Sir Charles” striking an opponent nearly 75 pounds lighter wasn’t good for Team USA’s image. But he may have added fuel to the fire because of his explanation.
Barkley argued that the Coimbra had already hit him three times and warned the former mainstay of Angola’s national basketball team that there would be repercussions if the antics continued. It seems Charles’ words fell on deaf ears, so he thought a payback was warranted.
“He hit me,” Chuck contended. “I hit him. You guys don’t understand that. It’s a ghetto thing. Somebody hits me, I’m going to hit him back.”
Angola managed to keep up at the start, tying the contest 7-7. However, Barkley and company went on a 31-0 run, which was snapped by Coimbra’s free throw that ensued from a flagrant foul called on Chuck because of the elbow.
Team USA proceeded to score the next 15 points to finish the 46-1 run. The final score wound up being 116-48.
Barkley’s Team USA runs
Fortunately for the Dream Team, Barkley appeared to have kept his emotions in check for the remainder of the competition. No other similar events transpired, and the 11-time NBA All-Star ended up becoming the squad’s leading scorer in the tournament with 18.0 points per game.
He chose to represent the Red, White, and Blue again in the 1996 Olympics and, interestingly, led Team USA in scoring once more, putting up 12.4 points per contest. He was incredibly efficient in that year’s competition, converting 81.6% of his field-goal attempts. The “Mound Round of Rebound” also led Dream Team II in boards, hauling in 6.6 per game.