HoopsHype.com Rumors

After Team USA’s crushing loss in the 1988 Olympics to the Soviets (the Americans were reduced to bronze medal status), Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski had been assigned to help the US regain its pride, taking a team that included Christian Laettner, Alonzo Mourning, and Billy Owens to Buenos Aires for the Worlds. The Yugoslavs shook off a preliminary-round loss to Puerto Rico to knock off the Americans in the semifinals and then the archrival Soviets in the gold medal game. “People talk about the 1992 American team being the Dream Team — well, this was our Dream Team from Europe,’’ said Vlade Divac, the former Laker and King. “We had a great team with a lot of guys who played in the NBA. We were special.’’ Boston Globe

USA Basketball, Vlade Divac, Yugoslavia