The Collapse | The Story Behind '04 Team USA

The 2004 Men’s American Olympic team was the only one among the first seven NBA-led squads to not bring home the gold, settling for a bronze medal instead. In basketball terms, it was an unmitigated disaster. So how did it all come together and ultimately fall apart?
Written and Narrated by: Joseph Casciaro (@JosephCasciaro | Twitter)
Produced and Edited by: Zack Underhill (@ZackUnderhill | Instagram)
Thumbnail Design by: Daniel Long (@DloSupreme | Instagram)
Courtesy List: controlc.com/5d4ec250
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#TeamUSA #Olympics #AllenIverson

[@kalmkorn]

they shoulda just send the 2004 Pistons at the Olympics back then...

[@thomasbrackpool8568]

Every game would have been 54-50

[@bobbyloveoblock6580]

@@thomasbrackpool8568 i mean at least usa would’ve won🤣

[@michaelscottoriginal]

Agreed. Would have been ugly and boring but would have matched up well.

[@Trenacetate43]

Lol Ikr. All the 5 starters were Americans anyway. Billups, sheed, ben wallace, prince, and hamilton

[@tongpocalypse151]

That was the sentiment back then as well, right after the first loss.

[@LaughingJokerProd]

Me before watching: How could they have lost? Look at that roster! Me after watching: Larry Brown.

[@raymondsolisjr.1262]

Worst coach to win a Championship

[@mike.cdn7212]

@@raymondsolisjr.1262 thats quite harsh

[@danielpak7264]

That roster is not that good at all

[@luisvergara6502]

Who was the problem in 2006? Coach K?

[@JomoDaMusicMan]

@@danielpak7264 the roster was great, it was good as any, in fact that team could've beat the dream team, if they had the right coaching staff, they had lots of young talent while the dream team had an injured Bird, a Magic that hadn't played one gm in NBA that season, Stockton was also injured. all of the 04 team was young and ready to play

[@corpyhogan4433]

Barely playing Lebron, Melo, and Wade was a mistake

[@dindajgnmrh2177]

With larry brown as coach that was never gon happen mans prioritizes seniority rather than talent

[@noodles6281]

Makes you wonder a what if scenario, if the Pistons drafted Carmelo instead. He becomes a bench warmer just like Darko. Would his career be different with his confidence down the toilet? He would, however, had gotten a ring.

[@yichen1466]

Didn’t matter when duncan got shafted by the fiba refs…

[@stocksguy4565]

Lack of shooters.

[@qp7888]

@@noodles6281 lol melo came off a NCAA championship as a rookie. I really doubt they would bench him when they’re only offensive threats were Chauncey and Rip

[@stocksguy4565]

That team was not able to hit 3 pointers. They forgot “to take shooters” in 2004. Why will you take 10 guys that are “slashers to the rack” instead of taking at least 3 or 4 perimeter shooters. The other team played a lot of zone against that 2004 team. Since they couldn’t shoot for shit...they got embarrassed by Puerto Rico and Argentina.

[@markpagtama7954]

@Westside Chicago goddamn, how much help does team usa need

[@acusticsunri4255]

That's Larry Brown for you... Mr Defense and low Score

[@benjaminan1183]

Melo is a shooter.

[@sheli5483]

That's like if the Orlando Magic played zone on this team. Still supposed to win.

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

You could've sent 2 NBA Second Stringers for every position (10 Guys) from 1988 and they would beaten everyone they played LIKE THEY STOLE SOMETHING. Challenge Me to come up with a Roster #deadass😐

[@Doje]

but it birthed the 2008 redeem team 🔥🔥🔥

[@joshuaorolfo3160]

with kobes leadership

[@alfaruuto5182]

Which almost lost to a country with about 15% of the USA population.

[@saulnores3477]

Argentina defeated the USA in 2002 World Cup in Indianapolis and in 2004 Olympics semiginals in Athens. It's not a coincidence. That is "Argentina's Golden Generation". Great talent and a great coach too.

[@saulnores3477]

@@mazdakmina9493 I din't say Argentina eliminated the USA in 2002. I said Argentina defeated the USA (this happened on september 4th - Argentina won 87-80). It was the first time a Team USA full of NBA players lost a game EVER. This was worldwide breaking news. What you said happened on September 5th (the following day), Yugoslavia eliminated the USA 81 - 78 in the quarter finals. Please read well before commenting. untrue facts.

[@facundoriesco1369]

@@saulnores3477 vestite

[@jonator5715]

02 USA tram was full of nobodies

[@zes3813]

wrr

[@mykeforu]

@@saulnores3477 shitteee u gotta calm ur tits brotha 🤣

[@josecastillo-lj7no]

This year could have a repeat of this but Durant has been carrying the team on his back. Overall, team play hasn't been bad but Durant is clutch and willing to take big shots when down.

[@mike.cdn7212]

I agree without Durant, I don't see them winning gold. Durant is probably the best Team USA player ever.

[@manz7860]

Dame has gone downhill since a bit before that

[@John-jm4nv]

@@mike.cdn7212 Melo is .

[@gabepizza]

@@John-jm4nv Melo? haha Maybe against Nigeria. He doesn't play in crunch time in the real games.

[@zes3813]

wrr

[@Caro-ul7so]

Argentina was a team, the US wasn't. Period.

[@ronbarnabei8226]

I remember watching that semi finals game and wondered why they didn’t play Wade and Carmelo more. If I remember correctly they looked like they wanted to be on the court and play but some of the other players didn’t look as focused. Damn shame.

[@justinpalmier]

There's a saying that "Coaches don't win games. Players do. Coaches can lose games." Definitely applies here

[@286mic]

So players hold no accountability except when they're winning? Alright.

[@chad9113]

I don't know about that coz most of the time I hear people blaming it to Lebron..

[@davenue3428]

Ok， from now on, coaches not allowed.

[@sheli5483]

Mutiny?

[@trollkenobi6727]

Let’s look at another pro sport’s team, the Cowboys Jerry Jones had commented any coach could win a chip with all the firepower they had. Now let’s look at how many chips they won without Jimmy Johnson. Just 1 when they had 2 with Johnson.

[@nightcrusader5047]

Guys literally love your content 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@leadlefthand]

08:30 - Let's get one thing clear: Kobe Bryant led that 2008 squad. When Team USA was imploding against Spain, it was Kobe that took over and won that gold medal.

[@johnlemon2916]

Kobe is the best in the final game against Spain but Wade is the best for throughout the tournament.

[@leadlefthand]

@@johnlemon2916 Kobe's role under coach K was defense, which was what he did. But when the the team was failing to score in the final game allowing Spain to mount a comeback, Kobe took the scoring load as well to seal the deal. Remove Kobe from that team, USA wouldn't walk away with the Gold Medal. Remove DWade from that team, Kobe could make up the loss and carry more load on the offensive end. There's a new documentary coming out covering the redeem team and Coach K said in an interview he had concerns with the make up of the team and he suggested they needed Kobe Bryant. Those were his words. So even the coach admits Kobe was the best.

[@johnlemon2916]

@@leadlefthand The team is full of superstars and taking Kobe alone won't affect the team. Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Melo in their prime and USA is unstoppable.

[@leadlefthand]

Except Lebron and Wade were already in the 04 Olympic team that could only get Bronze. They are hardly unstoppable, especially when you consider it was Kobe who shut down Carmelo Anthony in the 09 Western Conference Finals where the Lakers won in 6. Even with the size difference, Kobe defended Anthony well. Simply put, Kobe was the main piece that the coaching staff determined they needed to win the Gold Medal.

[@johnlemon2916]

@@leadlefthand they are only youngsters at that time but in '08 they're entering their prime.

[@jengibre4449]

I remember that day, Argentina won basketball and soccer gold medal at the same day. That country is pure talent for sports.

[@dangracey3076]

Non M min Goff 😊 1:46 1:46

[@GloryBoyz3004L]

I cant say it enough... Yall videos are soo great

[@patfer1189]

This leaves out some more context: the issues didn't start right on 2004. Going back two years Team USA also had lost the 2002 FIBA World Cup, losing to some of the same teams as in the Olympics (Argentina, for example). USA Basketball was in disarray after Sydney. And it wasn't just Brown. The team formation was odd and uneven. For example the team have very poor three point shooters and thus they would struggle against interior defenses with no chances to open the middle up. Many players refused to go due to the threat of terror attacks, but even then there was an entire league of players they could have tried to get. It is not just a matter of getting the most skilled or talented players. It is about getting the right players to build a team. To top off the disgrace, the team itself didn't do itself any favors. Instead of taking the loss like champs they acted like prima donnas during while receiving the bronze medals. Most, outside of Duncan, Iverson, and a few more, behaved really bad during the ceremony acting as if it was beneath them and they were owed the gold medal. It was a shameful team.

[@kidpeligro7878]

I even think its much earlier than that. For me the first signs of trouble started in 2000 Sydney itself when they barely got past Lithuania in the semi finals

[@PresbianTier]

If you watched the video the narrator mentions that Team US lost in the 2002 FIBA championships.

[@NewGoldie]

I've always felt like Tim Duncan got a fckn disney fast pass for this. Dude had some of the most dominant playoff runs you'll ever see. Yet a bronze medal in the olympics? Like how did he allow that? Idc they had enough talent to figure it out.

[@tsalisabidanurdin4548]

Agree

[@connormacleod1490]

2003 USA MEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TEAM were the once suppose to go in the 2004 olympics. Most of the 2003 team members made excuses and left, Duncan was so dissapointed he never join the olympics again.

[@NewGoldie]

@@connormacleod1490 Still had plenty of star power anyway. Duncan wasnt nearly his dominant self, seemed like he didn't care.

[@Dommy521]

Facts people act like rookie Lebron is responsible for this lol

[@srj34]

@@NewGoldie Star power, as in big names, yes. Not actual stars after Duncan at that time. Lebron and Wade weren't half the players they would become. Melo was also years from his best, even though he's always been highly overrated. Amare Stoudemire was terrifying with a great point guard, but Team USA in 2004 didn't have one. They had Allen "41%" Iverson and Stephon Fraudbury running the point. (Stoudemire was also not too good on the defensive end) Carlos Boozer was always second-tier. Shawn Marion was always a great role player, but he was never a player the opposition had to gameplan against. Lamar Odom was always a mixed bag except for those few seasons playing with Kobe and Pau. Emeka Okafor was a really, really, really poor man's Ben Wallace. And like Stoudemire, Richard Jefferson needed a great PG to be his most effective. And please, where's the outside shooting on this roster?

[@23ofSeptember]

In a nutshell, Team USA thought it could win based off its "athletic ability", meaning guys that could jump high and run the fast break would win games over slower Europeans. Basically, Team USA was playing hero ball (especially AI) and not Team Ball.

[@kidpeligro7878]

The video kind of glossed over the part that warning signs of rest of the world was catching up to USA have been showing as early as 2000 Olympics with their close wins against Lithuania with them getting quite a scare in the semis

[@anthonyriche552]

True! I remember the signs were there but we (US) really thought we could just show up and win every time. With each Olympics, teams got more and more confident and discovered our weaknesses. If there's one thing to be learned from the game of sports, it's that ANYONE can be beaten.

[@finnbalor8021]

10 of the original 12 players selected dropping out over 6 months and with replacing younger players not yet ready will do that. The 2003 Qualfying team is so different than the 2004 one

[@criss9938]

How about 2006? Still reasoning?

[@NJohnGA10]

As most people kept pointing out that not playing LeBron more minutes was the downfall, it’s not. He was not yet at his peak during that time. It will definitely better than playing the others tho. But the main problem was team chemistry and coaching which was a wreck, it’s like most of them does not want to be there.

[@TheHuskyK9]

Larry Brown didn't want to play the youngsters (LeBron, Wade, Melo, and Stoudemire) and preferred playing the vets, that was the main issue. Unfortunately, the vets were bricking all over the place and Larry refused to adapt.

[@markelscott100]

Lebron at 19 was still insane lmao

[@youcantalwaysgetwhatyouwan6687]

If we blame benchwarmer LeBron over 2004 loss against Argentina.. we should blame benchwarmer Juwan Howard over Miami Heat NBA finals lose over Dallas

[@vincenthammons6705]

I blame the refs for sending wade to the line 100 times

[@jaycobdelacruz3789]

Making iverson play too much was also a problem

[@danielpak7264]

Yeah but ur larry brown and ur going to give A i alot of time

[@anthonyzarate9807]

Having AI play at all was a problem! He was a shot jacker who played little to no defense and was a mismatch almost every game on defense!!!

[@keezy2swag]

@@anthonyzarate9807 4:12 🤧

[@anthonyzarate9807]

@@keezy2swag The team would have NEVER have needed that shot had Marbury & AI not been on the team. I promise you, the Pistons or the Spurs teams would have been up by 20+ and would never need a prayer like that. The problem was they all wanted to play hero ball, not only is that a losing formula, it ruins the entire team morale and everybody just plays for themselves. I played and coached competitive HS varsity and JC basketball most of my life (over 40 years) and I'm telling you players that shoot such a horrible % and shoot a ton of shots (while playing little to no defense) destroys a team.

[@sonnyallagonez5776]

@@anthonyzarate9807 🤡

[@balltalkdeep]

finally getting the details and insight on what went wrong with this team makes alotta sense

[@seannborba8416]

Imagine not wanting to play LeBron.

[@YoloTB]

The Coach was an idiot even LeBron in his 2nd Year is a beast you have to play him

[@claudioromantiko684]

Lol lebron play's trash in 2004 olympics better watch it..

[@sheli5483]

The other forwards were nice too. Team choked.

[@jamanwashington6426]

@@claudioromantiko684 not enough mintues as a rookie. Had a team full of ball hoggers

[@thegoat6325]

@@claudioromantiko684 bs

[@rell4219]

Before I even watch the video, I just want to say that with a talent pool like this one has, the biggest factor to the losing must be bad coaching. Position by position, this team had too many advantages.

[@e921f]

Yeah you can blame it somewhat on coach but don’t matter who played USA aka the NBA should always win for thr most part but rest of world is catching uo

[@BingCherry11]

@@e921f The real test to see if the world is "catching up" would be to put a team like Italy who for a time was enjoying getting away with playing 5 players all game long. Make that team Italy play an entire NBA season 5 vs 12 every night and we will see what kind of condition those 5 five players will be in come play offs time when the war really begins!!!! I sincerely doubt they would win come in and dominate the league!!! The NBA Season and Play offs is the real test not a short little tournament!!! Any thing can happen during a couple of games on foreign courts but the real test would be and entire NBA Season and long play offs on our courts with our refs and our rules and with our fans!!!!

[@e921f]

@@BingCherry11 Giannis ? Jocik? Luka?

[@danielpak7264]

Not really these players were really young and not what they were you have a team with no ball movement and iso scorers ur going to lose

[@rell4219]

@@danielpak7264 who’s job is it to train/play the players that are moving the ball and executing the plays correctly?

[@StrawHatErwin]

Luis Scola is still grinding

[@blastomaticdisel6189]

Played his final Olympic game last week.

[@Irfanhill]

It's true that 2004 was the lowest point of Team USA's Olympics history, don't forget that in 2000 in Sydney Team USA had a very narrow victory against Lithuania in semi finals and then beat France by "only" 10 points in the finals. Yes, the USA destroyed France in group stage (where VC dunked over Frédéric Weis and literally changed his life because of that) but the final game was very close. More than anything, Lithuania could have beaten Team USA, behind a great performance by Jasikevicius. To be honest, 2000's Team USA might have been the weakest roster post 1992 and was also the most hateable - we all wished they were the ones who lost.

[@beats2deepbrother]

Fairley new fan here, I'd just like to ask why were the Team USA Rosters of the 2000's the most hateable?

[@AqwDragulum]

I wasn't old enough to watch the 2000s team. Why are they hateable?

[@blastomaticdisel6189]

If you were familiar with Rudy Tomjonovich's coaching style with the Rockets, you should not be surprised why those games were narrowly won by the U.S..

[@matthewc3488]

Just look at the gaurds. Iverson and Mauberry. Great individual talents with losing attitudes, me first mindsets, and no defense.

[@poundbagcom]

Iverson? You did see him drag a D-League team to the Finals, right?

[@GetBackRy3x]

@@poundbagcomhe’s a white liberal with a ‘every black who has tattoos is a thug mindset’ don’t mind him

[@tongpocalypse151]

Folks didn't wanna blame Brown at the time since he just took the Pistons to the championship but hindsight really is 20-20.

[@luisvergara6502]

What's the excuse for 2006? Coach K?

[@applycontext9161]

@@luisvergara6502 who’s to blame then?

[@luisvergara6502]

@@applycontext9161 Team construction ma man. It ain't about the coach, it's about the players. The same happened in 2006 with coach K. That 2004 team as well as the 2006 team had a bunch of star players that didn't know how to play the international game period. No shooting, no ball movement, low IQ players who thought they would get by with just atleticism. A bunch of one on one players who were ball stoppers. The 2006 team had the exact same problem. A bunch of ball stoppers who couldn't move the ball starting with Lebron, Melo, CP3 and Wade who had the highest usage rate on the team unlike the 2004 squad. All i hear: Brown didn't play Lebron, Wade, and Melo enough. That's why they lost. He sucks as a coach". Well, Lebron had the highest usage rate of any player in 2006 followed by Melo, Wade and CP3. Who's to blame? Coach K? I don't care who's the coach. If the players can't get it done it's on them. Wear it!

[@markcowser2403]

That Failure was Larry Browns Fault

[@rajaalahmar4371]

What a great channel

[@seanhurley4003]

The 2002 dream team loss to Yugoslavia was the precursor. Also, no mention of the 2006 loss to Greece. Whether it's Olympics or FIBA World Cup, it's still a team led by multi-time NBA All Stars.

[@astorbergonzoni]

2002 they lost to argentina also

[@PresbianTier]

2004 only had two NBA all stars so negative.

[@seanhurley4003]

@@astorbergonzoni did they! I didn't know that

[@seanhurley4003]

@@PresbianTier you mean only 2 guys who played the all star game earlier that year. So I'll edit it. 2004 was a team led by multi-time all stars: Tim Duncan Stephon Marbury Allen Iverson Carlos Boozer Shawn Marion Lebron, Wade, and Carmelo were bench warmers

[@PresbianTier]

@@seanhurley4003 thanks. I was too lazy to type all that

[@francoisobasi1310]

If coach Brown had just given these young cats the ball and let them play we would never had lost. Old dude pushing his style to young dudes. Never works.

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

When all else fails... Blame the Coach.

[@DMalltheway]

Makes you wonder if Carmelo would be this good if he was drafted by the pistons.

[@chendaddy]

Revisionist history about the state of USA basketball in 2004. That full NBA squad USA team in 2002 finished SIXTH on American soil, the team that showed up in 2003 for qualifiers featured a lot of stars like KG and Vinsanity who refused to show up in 2004, and by then anyone following international basketball knew teams like Argentina, Italy and the former Yugoslavia were ascending. Anyone who thought Team USA was a shoo-in for gold was just ignorant and not paying attention. Though to be fair, that was pretty much every sports fan in America at the time.

[@jonator5715]

Name the nba players from 02

[@SometimesCompitent]

Paul pierce, Reggie Miller, baron davis, jermaine O’Neal, Michael Finley, Shawn Marion, ben Wallace. A few others but those were the highlights.

[@Ms.honesty007]

Unless america play highschool players...there is never a reason USA should not get the gold🥇

[@JuanSebastianGuichard]

I hope whit time people recognize and speak more about how talent, well coach AND good was that Argentinan team...dont say ur point of view Is wrong, but merit to Argentina...

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

Argentina will soon be beating the USA in Basketball like they stole something on a regular basis because USA Guys leave high school knowing everything already. Just ask them, they'll tell You.

[@saulnores3477]

Of course!! Argentina was a team full of talented players. Most of them played in the NBA and others retired and refused going to the NBA.

[@raffyc66]

That PUR victory... Man!!

[@johnreyperoche6172]

Why i see other people blame this lost to LeBron and called him Lebronze isn't even his fault

[@maxh276]

Fr the haters are beyond stupid

[@TheHeston83]

yes its just not our year

[@johnreyperoche6172]

LeBron haters always blame him if the team he part fail

[@jamesraphaelL]

Why they blame a rookie who barely played, when the leaders was Duncan and AI.

[@johnreyperoche6172]

@@jamesraphaelL idk they just hate him so much that everything bad about basketball He's name is always involved

[@Dangic23]

I still have all the next morning Newspapers that came out in Puerto Rico, after that win. Got 4 of them. El Nuevo Día El Vocero Primera Hora San Juan Star

[@markcastillo3490]

Yo, that 2004 roster was loaded, especially defensively. Coaching must have suck for them not to win gold.

[@ChrisChanSajelan]

@Westside Chicago Wade and James are capable of facilitating, they just didn't used well. Really a poor coaching. Coach K would've done a lot better.

[@mikeyisniceha]

On paper yes but the team didn't have a pass first pg and the supporting cast was too young

[@youngbae5187]

@@ChrisChanSajelan They were rookies, and when LeBron was a rookie, he's just a typical SF, not yet learn how to pass like a point guard. also, they were posting rookie numbers in the nba, so it's not the same as when they're in their primes.

[@ChrisChanSajelan]

@@youngbae5187 Wade entered the league as a point guard

[@youngbae5187]

@@ChrisChanSajelan He wasn't even good enough to play consistent point guard in his prime and you want him to be a rookie point guard in the Olympic team?!

[@hiphopsince81]

“Brown sought scapegoats everywhere but in the mirror.” Bingo.

[@pjmills4866]

Funny Coming Into 2004 Olympics Duncan was the Best Player. But When we lost they Blamed Iverson. Let Duncan off the Hook. That Was Lame.

[@deshawndodd7883]

EXACTLY

[@mrpopo5097]

Duncan getting into foul trouble and not properly adjusting to the international rules is most probably why Duncan didn’t want to play in the olympics again

[@thegoat6325]

They blamed lebron

[@mauriciorano7142]

Did you see how the Puerto Rican team defended Duncan? He was double and triple teamed every single time he got the ball. Heck, he was even doubled when they tried to get him the ball.

[@foofiiter]

No one lets Duncan off the hook lmfao. The 04 Olympics always get brought up when people talk about their top 10 all time greats.

[@UnknownFilipino]

Success is just a matter of perspective. US getting the bronze is a nightmare for them, but for my counyry to just squeek in the olympics basketball would mean the greatest accomplishment. Im from a country thats crazy about basketball, but basketball doesn't love it back.

[@richardmongolia9986]

Success in sports is also a matter of expectation too

[@SIMOLAMBOTZ]

Philippines?

[@srj34]

That's a great story about ________________, the country where you live. I love that place ________________, especially its signature dishes like __________________ and _________________, and especially _________________. Hiking along the ___________________ was special too, and the beaches were wonderful. The women in __________________ were incredible! I hope to go back to __________________ someday, because I enjoyed my time in your country.

[@Classicbasketballdvds]

i think the major prob was the coaching, chemistry, not playing Bron, Wade, Melo as much and not having all the guys like Shaq, Kobe, KG, Kidd, T-Mac, VC on board. The team that was picked a few years before was much better and was stacked

[@criss9938]

How about 2006? Any reason?

[@PartasbusLuxury8208._]

@@criss9938 that was a team B haha. They did'nt have kobe, Tmac, Kg, Allen,Pierce, carter

[@nethbt]

Noah Lyles brought me here 😂😂😂😂

[@booboo4ever24]

Hard to believe how this team didn't win, Duncan, Iverson, LeBron, Stoudemire, Wade, Marbury, Odom

[@TheHuskyK9]

It's hard to believe nowadays, but it was obvious back then. Larry Brown didn't want to play the youngsters (LeBron, Wade, Melo, and Stoudemire) and preferred playing the vets. Unfortunately, the vets were bricking all over the place and Larry refused to adapt

[@srj34]

It's hard to believe you're just reading names and not understanding that some of those guys weren't great yet or were never great.

[@booboo4ever24]

@@srj34 which one was never great? Duncan and AI 2 hall of famers in there prime, with a versatile LO, and a young LBJ, Wade and Stoudemire, make it work

[@francescosmith7859]

Pound for Pound Larry Brown. I'm glad he takes the brunt of the blame in this video as he deserves it. I was never a big fan of his in the NBA but he seemed to be Team USA's biggest opponent that year.

[@lxpang]

The signs were already there in the 2000 Olympics in the two close games vs Lithuania in the semis and group stage.

[@toptenguy1]

What I remember the most was Allen Iverson taking over and single handidly assuring that the USA would at least get a Bronze.

[@billblaski9523]

Word, it's a shame that he wasn't even invited to try out for the 2008. But I kinda understand, he is a me-first, shoot-first guard

[@unspeakablyawesomebros3392]

Nonsense, Iverson was the reason they didn’t won. His ego took over.

[@epsryneps3101]

​@@unspeakablyawesomebros3392lebron clearly the reason they lost. Dog sht hog

[@impacc4182]

uh no he was black balled from the nba@@billblaski9523

[@timocruz510]

Any dislikes are the '04 squad members

[@RafaelMSSilva]

Don't worry, 2014 for Brazil in Soccer was way worse than this. Hosting the World Cup, playing in one of our most famous stadiums and losing 7 to 1 to one of our greatest rivals with the whole world watching the game. It was so humiliating that it was even funny. It will be remembered for decades, if not centuries. It is going to be very hard to have a worse disappointment than this in sports, at least for us brazilians, but never say never!

[@Freigeist2008]

For me as an German, Brazil is not really a rival bc this was the first time that our teams hitted at each other in the elimination rounds. Our rivals are England, Holland and Italy. Meanwhile France and Spain i would add, but it has not the intensity as with the above mentioned

[@gabrielmarques214]

​@@Freigeist2008Até porque o Brasil ganhou mais que perdeu pra vocês

[@Yesnog05]

I remember my brother flipping out when he read on the newspaper on why the US team didn't have a lot of their stars cause the coach wanted to prove they can win with a young team instead of an experienced team

[@redwolf8135]

No pure point guards and no pure shooters on the 04' team. In international basketball, you need facilitating point guards, big men, and pure shooters. Marbury and Iverson are score first point guards.

[@danielpak7264]

They thought if they got a bunch of all stars and up and coming players the olympics would be a breeze what an overestimation and let down

[@srj34]

Iverson wasn't even really a PG, really. Just a small shooting guard.

[@xMeKeTreFex]

Coach Brown asked Puerto Rico coaches not to play zone during the friendly games. They won by 30 both games. Italy later beat them with a 2-3 zone. Puerto Rico used a triangle n 2 zone on the opener.

[@anthonyriche552]

That's insane! Didn't know that.

[@joaoyapur1247]

Fun fact, the first Basketball World Cup was in 1950, Argentina claimed the gold medal by beating USA 64-50 but there was no dream team back then so they sent the Denver Chevrolets

[@acceptpapara]

The 2003 USA team was a monster. Too bad only Iverson and Duncan manned up and came to Athens.

[@sonnyallagonez5776]

Straight Facts!

[@bleedingkansai9961]

Exactly. It has been lost to history that the 2003 Team was the original Redeem Team for 2002's failure.

[@mg19cal]

I actually laugh in the face of people that blame this on LeBron because of their hatred for him, like 2 time (at that time) Finals MVP Tim Duncan wasn't on that team and I hardly ever hear his name get blamed for this

[@KenpachiPrime]

I’m mad early for this one😂

[@TPTGopher]

Poor construction: I remember the day before the Olympics started, SportsCenter did a thing showing how literally everyone but Tim Duncan had a professional or personal reason to hate a teammate.

[@JayanaKalansuriya]

I’ve never been this early

[@nightcrusader5047]

Lol😂😂😂

[@ma7maz]

This being the top comment makes me confused

[@khaitranngoc4176]

The Redeem Team: Origins

[@nomoneyharry]

Can u do 2006 as well?

[@ginocerda3290]

So that’s why the 08 team was named the redeem team

[@johnnyric3876]

Lithuania and Spain always give us a run 🏃‍♀️

[@MetalRush666]

I really wish the players played for pride of country. Other countries play like it's the NBA finals. It should mean as much as a chip if not more.

[@socialistbatman1211]

Most of the players are of a certain group of people that have been disenfranchised and face systemic issues. Not gonna be much “pride of country” from them lol

[@davidp420]

If you were a basketball player who has seen people who look like you get brutalized by the powers that be throughout your entire life, why would you be patriotic?

[@canadianchungus701]

Because USA/NBA doesn’t care and you are not making as much money than say like NBA games neither can you recover through off season when the games usually tend to happen. It’s not about social crap by the folks responding to your observation

[@divinedelaware7541]

They blame AI and Marbury. I blame Larry Brown not playing thought Duncan and letting the young boys come off the bench and run

[@learninggames4152]

Na if they played with Duncan they loose

[@davidgabrielonell]

Larry Brown did not give enough minutes for LBJ, Melo and Wade. Wow. And his reason is that they did not have enough preparation time. What a dumdum.

[@frag7070]

Do the both the Dream and the Redeem Team 🔥🔥🔥

[@gasparwimb3964]

Waiting for a major docu over Argentinas golden generation. Most romantic win ever

[@malcolmjackson7067]

Larry brown hates young players and point guards that shoot a lot 😂😂😂

[@vangelisnatsios2341]

What were the *legitimate* security concerns about the Athens Olympics? There was not the slightest security incident in 2004, unlike, say, Atlanta 1996...

[@mssha1980]

This was post 9/11 and we were at war

[@Kennyisdarkvanilla]

If they had a different coach, team USA wins the gold. Lebron was always a spark plug off the bench, but Brown never played him. Starting lineup should have been Iverson, Wade, Bron, Melo, and Duncan but instead it was Iverson, Marbury, Odom, Jefferson, and Duncan.

[@Discipleofthelordandjesus]

That 2nd lineup is sickening . No way they should’ve competed in team usa with that starting lineup

[@andy7376]

Coach K should’ve been the coach cuz he would’ve worked well with the young guys

[@bemyguess1636]

Without Kobe Bryant this team usa is suck. When coach k said I will need Kobe Bryant. Then the history is GOLD. Kobe is the heart and soul of the redeem team. 😊. I’m going to watch the redeem team documentary in Netflix.

[@litodat233]

I remember when Argentina and ginoboli won gold over usa we could not believe it lol

[@dischordblast8992]

Lit

[@BlackFlash7]

Larry Brown was the reason this team lost. Starting Marbury and AI together and barely playing the 03 draft guys. This shit was in him

[@markcowser2403]

True

[@nashjazear581]

"the monster does bleed"

[@connormacleod1490]

You should have mention the 2003 USA MEN'S OLYMPIC QUALIFYING TEAM were the ones suppose to participate in 2004 olympics. Duncan, Iverson and Jefferson were the ones left from that team and everyone were last minute replacements. Next time add more context to your video.

[@jpmnky]

Must be awesome to see every modern Olympic Games ever, aye Macleod?

[@crazypr2996]

Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 Did that 😎 Arroyo 🐐

[@edwin2769]

Lebron played 3 mins, Amare played 2 mins and Carmelo DNP... then some of the haters blamed Lebron.. hahaha...

[@BerdugongPipi]

NO DOMINANT CENTER, NO PLAY MAKING POINT GUARD, NO 3 POINT SHOOTING GUARD. THIS TEAM IS DOOMED BEFORE THE START OF THE OLYMPICS.

[@thunderhammer593]

The only issue in that match was that tim Duncan got into foul trouble....

[@coach_jpbaruta]

Friend, I'm from Argentina... if you think that was the only problem... That team we had in 2004 is one of the best in the history of Basketball... But the USA clearly had a very poorly built squad... ., if you look at the game Argentina was a perfect machine... while USA had 0 chemistry...

[@learninggames4152]

Na Duncan was losser when it's mater most he is never been a leadership skills

[@otakugamertv4650]

USA Basketball 2004 Athens: Starting Line up: C- Shaquille O'Neal 7'1" PF- Tim Duncan 6'11" SF- Tracy McGrady 6'8" SF- Kobe Bryant 6'6" PG- Jason Kidd 6'3" Bench: C- Jarmaine O'Neal 6'11" PF- Kevin Garnett 6'11" SF- Vince Carter 6'6" SG- Ray Allen 6'5" PG- Allen Iverson PG- Mike Bibby 6'2" PG- Chauncey Billups 6'3"

[@MrOctober44]

Funny to hear that the team was so young as being a factor when the league is so young now

[@davidarcelay9924]

Bout time y’all got humbled up! Remember, y’all can win many gold medals, but that stain will always be there 😉 🇵🇷 🇦🇷 🔥

[@manz7860]

Tim Duncan is so f'n overrated.

[@CapitalGainzz]

@@manz7860 I pray for your quick recovery. Mental illness is no joke.

[@mjp29]

I don't care how many college or NBA championships coach Brown has won. The coaching here, and not bringing home the gold, takes all of Brown's accomplishments away in my book. What a disappointment!!!

[@ioannisgrigoriou2038]

Saying that there were legit security concerns about hosting the Olympic Games in Athens was an absolute joke! The money spent on security systems that were at the end not even used, was beyond any imagination and absolutely unnecessary. I am not saying this was the reason for us going bankrupt but this money could have been used elsewhere! What a joke of an excuse!

[@manz7860]

I hate the dark political side of the Olympics :(

[@nitinselvakarthikkani7784]

Anyone else here after seeing the redeem team trailer?

[@ludvigborga3676]

This team should've been... PG - Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd SG - Kobe Bryant, Ray Allen, Tracy McGrady C - Shaquille ONeil, Ben Wallace SF - Vince Carter, Paul Pierce PF - Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan

[@veranka3]

Starting a micro backcourt of Iverson and Marbury was a terrible decision. Too small, plus neither were great 3 pt shooters. Terrible roster construction and distribution of minutes.

[@fxtradingmentoringcenter630]

Key takeaways on why Team USA fared poorly in the 2004 Athens Olympics: 1. Lack of legitimate point guards. Although skilled shooting guards, Stephon Marbury and Allen Iverson relied heavily on driving to the basket and mid-range shots rather than excelling in long-distance shooting or beyond the arc. This playing style for a 2-guard standing barely 6'2" was mostly practically ineffective against the tight zone defense employed by opponents. 2. Overemphasis on individual scoring. With a lack of true playmakers, Team USA heavily relied on individual scoring and isolation plays rather than prioritizing constant ball movement, which is crucial in international basketball. The absence of cohesive team plays basically hindered their performance. 3. Limited reliable outside shooters. Apart from Carmelo Anthony, who primarily played as a stretch 4, Team USA lacked consistent outside shooting threats, esp. from the 3-point territory. This made it easier for opposing defenses to focus their efforts on containing Anthony and restricting the team's scoring options. 4. Inexperience and youth of star players. LeBron James and Lamar Odom were relatively young and lacked international experience during the 2004 Olympics. While Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony were promising rising stars in the NBA, they were still developing their skills on the international stage. This lack of experience and familiarity with the international game posed major challenges for Team USA's overall performance.

[@ChrisChanSajelan]

I know Coach K would've done a lot better

[@TheKos2Kos]

Why does he bring up limited lebron minutes without mentioning d wade who already proved his prowess as a rookie leading miami out of first round

[@realkoolvg]

after this we took off 🇺🇸

[@antoniokastrocarlisledemel6617]

U can't be a Winner if you've never lost... I think it's good we lost...being half puertorriqueño and the son of a father born in the canaries but raised in PR things like the fact they have PR playing on a seperate team show that my pops sentiments about the US usually looking down on PR as not officially apart of the US ..but maybe it's better that way as surprisingly after 100+ years La Isla is still mostly Spanish and not overwhelmingly Americanized like some places..sorry to yap but thanks for the video bruh u got my like no doubt

[@distantgalaxymusic1447]

I loved Larry brown when he was Mr Roper on 3’s Company!😂

[@paolylo]

This was 2004. Team USA escaped Lithuanina in 2000 then lost to The Former Yugoslavia, Argentina, and Puerto Rico at the Worlds in 2002 (in Indiana, of all places). As much as the NBA takes too much credit for globalizing the game, the better countries have had teams who kept their pool of players playing at the U16 level until they turned pro. They switch everything on defense, they know what to do when someone sets a screen or drives to the basketball. It's great that Pop respects FIBA ball from 2019 onward, but in 2004... Larry Brown tried Detroit Basketball with a team that had both Duncan and Iverson on the same court. The team never figured out how to attack the zone, they either jack up contested threes or lob to a crowded paint. It wouldn't have made a difference if they played a rookie Lebron more because even a rookie Wade, Jefferson, Marion played better defense.

[@YUSUKESAIHA]

Those rookies you mentioned will only be committing mistakes which will be capitalize by Team Argentina.

[@samleyton5316]

Always good to hear someone who knows about the game specially the one played internationally

[@kmena05]

Manu Ginobili was cold blooded that's what happened, in 2004 Luis Scola and Fabricio Oberto both haven't played for an NBA team yet. so Argentina had only 1 NBA Player and that was Manu.

[@TheKiid810]

Foh lol they lost to puerto rico too. U.s was just a shitty squad with a coach who shouldnt be a olympic coach

[@xaviervega468]

Luis Scola was the one that balled out against Team USA.

[@astorbergonzoni]

@@xaviervega468 manu score 27 points lol

[@ignaciolaborde9166]

@@astorbergonzoni 29

[@nrkgalt]

Holes in the US armor could be seen in the 2000 Olympics when the US team survived a 2 point thriller.

[@jus-ejays1236]

They were better off sending the 2004 Detroit Pistons considering Coach brown was coaching

[@YUSUKESAIHA]

Main reason: Manu Ginobili

[@Dangic23]

Fun Fact.... That 2004 Team is way better than current Team in Tokyo.

[@dartVadeR.]

Wrong