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The 2024 Dream Team roster was revealed yesterday ahead of today’s Olympic-flame ceremony, which marks 101 days before the 2024 Paris Olympic Games commence.
– Steph Curry
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 15, 2024
– LeBron James
– Kevin Durant
– Jayson Tatum
– Joel Embiid
– Devin Booker
– Tyrese Haliburton
– Anthony Edwards
– Jrue Holiday
– Bam Adebayo
– Anthony Davis
It’s time 🇺🇸
(Via @wojespn ) pic.twitter.com/rmTD1q1j4E
Team USA Basketball is seeking their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal as they have clinched the prestigious Gold Medal in each Olympic game since the 2008 Beijing Games.
After revealing the 2024 Team USA roster, it seems that Team USA is prepared to clinch their fifth consecutive gold medal and even go down in the history books as one of the most remarkable Olympic men’s basketball teams, perhaps becoming the newest Dream Team.
Who is competing on Team USA 2024?
Team USA is comprised of a 12-man roster, and currently, 11 of the spots have been filled, leaving room for another star to join the Dream Team.
The current 11-man roster:
- Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Kevin Durant, Phoenix Suns
- Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns
- Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers
- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jrue Holiday, Boston Celtics
- Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
The 2024 Team USA is filled with players who will provide intense competition for their opponents.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant are no strangers to the Olympic Games, as they will embark on their fourth appearance in the prestigious competition. James has clinched two gold medals and one bronze medal amidst his three Olympic appearances, and the star hopes to clinch his third gold medal this year.
On the other hand, Durant has amassed three gold medals, and if he clinches his fourth gold this summer, the 35-year-old will become the winningest men’s basketball player in Olympic history.
James and Durant are not the sole Olympic veterans on the 2024 USA Dream Team.
Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, and Bam Adebayo will compete in their second consecutive Olympic games following their gold medal feat in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Lakers power forward Anthony Davis is also no stranger to the global competition, as he competed in the 2012 London Games and clinched the gold medal with his teammates that year.
While the 2024 USA Dream Team is filled with a majority of Olympic veterans, it might come as a shock that Warriors legend Steph Curry is set to make his Olympic debut this summer. The four-time NBA champion has a chance to add another feat to his lengthy list in Paris this summer.
Alongside Curry in his Olympic debut are Joel Embiid, Tyrese Haliburton, and Anthony Edwards, as they all strive to clinch their first Olympic medal in their Paris debuts.
While this year’s 2024 USA Dream Team comprises an extremely impressive roster with numerous Olympic veterans, let’s look at the 1992 USA Dream Team, the first Olympic basketball team to feature active NBA players.
Who competed on the 1992 USA Dream Team?
The 1992 USA Dream Team 12-man roster:
- Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
- Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers
- Charles Barkley, Phoenix Suns
- Larry Bird, Boston Celtics
- Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls
- Patrick Ewing, New York Knicks
- Karl Malone, Utah Jazz
- Chris Mullin, Golden State Warriors
- David Robinson, San Antonio Spurs
- John Stockton, Utah Jazz
- Clyde Drexler, Portland Trail Blazers
- Christian Laettner, Duke Blue Devils
The 1992 USA Dream Team, as stated by Sports Illustrated at the time, was the most dominant team assembled in any sport. The team was led by legends such as Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley.
Legendary NBA player Michael Jordan had competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Games, where he helped his team clinch the gold medal, and he was ready to do so again in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics alongside teammates Charles Barkley, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, and Patrick Ewing.
Is this year’s team better than the 1992 Dream Team?
Ahead of the 2012 London Olympics, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant had stated that they believed their 2012 Olympic team could beat the 1992 USA Dream Team. At the time, Charles Barkley had laughed at those remarks, claiming that the 1992 Dream Team taught the 2012 Olympic team how to play basketball.
While the 1992 USA Dream Team is arguably the most famous Olympic basketball team, this year’s 2024 team has a significant chance of becoming the next Dream Team or perhaps even surpassing the 1992 team.
The 2024 Paris Olympics will mark “The Last Dance” for LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, as all three legends will likely be unable to compete in the 2028 Olympics as their NBA careers are expected to end before then. As the three legends are paired with highly qualified teammates, the 2024 Team USA has a shot at becoming the newest Dream Team of USA Olympics men’s basketball.
