2004 Olympics Disaster: The Story Of Team USA's Basketball Struggles
When United States Basketball Last Lost At The Olympics The Spun
Is it possible for a team brimming with NBA superstars to stumble on the international stage? Absolutely. The 2004 Athens Olympics serve as a stark reminder that talent alone doesn't guarantee victory, especially when facing hungry and skilled competition.
The image is seared into the minds of American basketball fans: Tim Duncan (#13), Lamar Odom (#14), Allen Iverson (#4), and Dwyane Wade, all icons of the game, sitting on the bench during the Athens 2004 Summer Olympic Games. The date was August 23, 2004, the location, the Indoor Hall of the Olympic Sports Complex in Athens, Greece. They were playing against Angola, but the real story of that Olympics wasn't about a single game; it was about a stunning series of unexpected defeats.
The 2004 Olympics stand as the nadir for the United States men's basketball team. That year, they suffered an unprecedented three losses, a shocking outcome for a program accustomed to dominance. The defeats weren't narrow squeaks either; they were decisive statements from international rivals. Puerto Rico, Lithuania, and Argentina all handed the U.S. humbling losses, exposing vulnerabilities that many didn't believe existed. These losses weren't just minor setbacks; they shattered the aura of invincibility that had surrounded Team USA for so long.
NBA Career: Philadelphia 76ers (1996–2006), Denver Nuggets (2006–2008), Detroit Pistons (2008–2009), Memphis Grizzlies (2009), Philadelphia 76ers (2009–2010)
NBA MVP: 2001
NBA Rookie of the Year: 1997
NBA All-Star: 11 times
Olympic Medal: Bronze (2004 Athens)
NBA Scoring Champion: 4 times
Official NBA Profile
Lamar Odom
Full Name: Lamar Joseph Odom
Born: November 6, 1979, South Jamaica, Queens, New York City, USA
Nationality: American
Height: 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Weight: 230 lb (104 kg)
Position: Forward
NBA Draft: 1999 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall (Los Angeles Clippers)
NBA Career: Los Angeles Clippers (1999-2003), Miami Heat (2003-2004), Los Angeles Lakers (2004-2011), Dallas Mavericks (2011-2012), Los Angeles Clippers (2012-2013)
