One of the main players on the first USA Dream Team, which took home the gold medal from the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, was Michael Jordan. It was therefore not shocking when his name was brought up two years later, as the World Championship was getting closer and Team USA wanted to win another gold medal.
However, Jordan said this to the New York Times in 1993, “I’d done it before. I didn’t have anything to prove.”
What did Jordan say at that time?
At the age of 28, Mike might have once again been a member of Dream Team II, which participated in the 1994 FIBA World Championships in Toronto. MJ offered his honest opinion on the subject when asked if he would think about playing for the US Men’s National Team again.
Jordan added, “I don’t know if the clubs will want them to do it. You see those of us who played getting nagging injuries, getting banged up so early in the season. You have to give some of that to playing in the Olympics.”
Which players were included in the Dream Team II?
Jordan was skeptical, but Dream Team II had some of the biggest names from that era. Alonzo Mourning, Dominique Wilkins, Shaquille O’Neal, and Reggie Miller were at the top of the list. The 1994 United States Men’s team was so talented that they easily won the gold and created their legacy.
With an average of 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, O’Neal led the way for the United States. After each member finished their career, the team’s resume revealed that it was one of the best teams Team USA had ever put together, with players stacked from top to bottom.
Which team was better?
The comparisons were inevitable with two distinct American teams displaying their superiority. Miller was one of the more outspoken about it; he thought Dream Team II was superior. Jordan, though, pleaded with me not to agree, thinking that in a best-case scenario, the 1992 team would triumph over their 1994 successors.
Team USA always made it a point to send the best team possible to the Olympics and the World Championships, regardless of who performed better. It was imperative to send the best NBA players because other nations have talented players. That was still dependent on these elite players’ availability and willingness, though.