2004 Mens American Olympic Basketball Team
A Look Back at the Team's Performance
The Lead
The 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, marked the sixteenth appearance of basketball as an official Olympic medal event. The United States men's national basketball team, led by future Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Duncan, competed in the tournament with high hopes of bringing home the gold medal. However, the team ultimately fell short of its goal and had to settle for a bronze medal, which was the only time in the past seven Olympics that the United States did not win gold.
The Tournament
The men's basketball tournament at the 2004 Summer Olympics began on August 15th and ended on August 28th. The United States team was placed in Group A along with Spain, Greece, and China. The team went 3-0 in group play, but lost to Argentina in the semifinals. In the bronze medal game, the United States defeated Lithuania 104-96.
The Team
The 2004 Mens American Olympic team was a talented squad that featured a number of NBA stars, including Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson, and LeBron James. However, the team struggled to gel as a unit and was never able to find its rhythm. The team's lack of chemistry was evident in its inconsistent play, and the team often looked disjointed on both offense and defense.
The Legacy
The 2004 Mens American Olympic team's failure to win the gold medal was a disappointment for many fans. However, the team's performance should not overshadow the accomplishments of the individual players who represented their country. The team's bronze medal finish was still a respectable achievement, and the players should be commended for their efforts.
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