The Americans were favored to win the gold medal, after winning the previous three tournaments.[2][3] However, the team won only bronze, while losing three games against its opponents, the most games ever lost by a U.S. men's Olympic basketball team. This was the second time that Team USA won the bronze medal, having also done so at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul.
Team USA lost its opening game to Puerto Rico by 19 points, which stands as the largest margin of defeat for the U.S. in the Olympics.[4] It ended their 24-game Olympic winning streak since 1992, when National Basketball Association (NBA) players were first allowed to compete.[5] The team also lost a group stage game to Lithuania and the semi-final game to Argentina. In addition, the U.S. lost a friendly preparation game prior to the Olympics, against Italy, by a score of 95–78.[6][7][8]
Roster
The following is the United States roster in the men's basketball tournament of the 2004 Summer Olympics.[9]
The United States struggled with its outside shooting, finishing the tournament ranked last in three point field goals made (5.5 per game) and 11th in percentage (31.4) out of 12 teams. They also struggled defensively.[14]
The team's loss to Puerto Rico was just the third in U.S. Olympic men's basketball history. Their two previous losses were both to the Soviet Union (1972 and 1988), with six having been the largest margin of defeat.[15]
Statistical leaders
Records broken
Stephon Marbury scored 31 points and hit a record six three-pointers against Spain.
Team USA shot 12-of-22 (54.5 percent) 3-pointers in that same game.
References
^2004 Olympic Games: Tournament for Men 13 to 29 Aug. 2004 - Athens in Greece.
^Maese, Rick (August 14, 2004). "Mystique Around US Team Fades". Orlando Sentinel. Daily Press. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
^Cazeneuve, Brian (August 2, 2004). "MEDAL PICKS HERE'S THE OUTLOOK FOR ALL 301 EVENTS, AS WELL AS THE U.S. PROSPECTS AND A GALLERY OF INTERNATIONAL STARS". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved May 10, 2020. Two golds are expected, though the men are in more danger of being upset, having placed sixth at the 2002 worlds.
^"How the 1992 Dream Team sparked global NBA fandom". ESPN.com. September 2, 2019. Retrieved May 10, 2010.
^"'Dream team' beaten by Puerto Rico". CNN.com. August 16, 2004. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
^Italia-Usa 95-78: gli azzurri nella storia del basket (in Italian).
^Italians' 3-point shooting nets 45 points.
^Italy stun US 'Dream Team'.
^"Men's Basketball Team Roster – United States (USA)" (PDF). 2004 Athens. LA84 Foundation. April 9, 2014. p. 89.
^ a b"ATHENS: SUMMER 2004 OLYMPICS; Sports, Disciplines". The New York Times. August 8, 2004. Retrieved May 6, 2020.