The history of the1972 United States men's Olympic basketball team
The 1972 Munich games can be summed up with two words: Controversy and Tregedy. Team USA would be part of the controversy of the games like no time in their history. The games were the first to be held in Germany since World War II and a lot of nations still felt it was inappropriate to hold the games at the site of Nazi power - even if it has been 27 years since their fall. However, when Israel announced they would send athletes - a lot of the protests subsided. The other controversy was that the Soviet Union announced it was sending professional players - something the USA was not allowed to do.
The 1972 Munich games are more widely known for the Munich massacre during the second week of the games, when Palestinian members of the Black September group murdered 11 Israeli athletes and coaches and one West German police officer inside the Olympic village.
For the first time the AAU was not part of USA basketball. The NCAA had finally wrestled away control from the AAU and evry member of team USA was a collegiate athlete. The US tried sending NBA players, even retired players such as Bill Russell, but were told in very strict terms by the IOC that if they did the USA would be barred from not just the 1972 games, but the World Basketball Champions and the 1976 games. The USA filed a protest which was promptly ignored.
The top college players however, did not desire to participate in the Olympics once again. Only Mike Bantom, Doug Collins, and Bobby Jones decided to play. The majority of the players were from smaller schools as well.
The games were set up similar to previous years with the host, West Germany, getting a bid, and the top 4 finishers from the 1968 games getting bids. Than each continent, but Oceania, getting 2 teams, and Europe getting 4. Oceania got one team. Like previous years the 16 teams were put into a pool play of 8 teams.
The Americans first game was against Czechoslovakia, and the Czechs put up little fight as the US blasted them 66-35.
The next game was against Australia and once again the US had little trouble with the Aussies beating them 81-55.
Cuba proved to be a difficult opponent from the US in the third game. Cuba actually lead in the first half before the US won 67-48.
Brazil challenged the Americans again, and lead part of the game, before the US won 61-54.
Egypt was making its first Olympic basketball and it showed as they got blown out in every game and the US crushed them 96-31.
In the penultimate game of pool play the US faced Spain and made light work of the Spainards 72-56
In the last game of pool play the US crushed Japan 99-33. The 66 point lead was the largest in US history.
The United States and Cuba advanced to the semifinals. The Cubans had a surprising 6-1 record, only losing to the US. The Soviets and Italy advanced in Group B to the semifinals.
The faced Italy in the semifinals and won easily 68-38, while the Soviets faced Cuba and struggled to a 67-61 win.
What ensured in the gold medal game between the US and USSR is some of the most controversial events in not just basketball history, but Olympics history as well.
The game was mired in bizzare calls by the officials, mostly favoring the Soviets. Doug Collins was called for a 10 second backcourt violation even though it was clearly at 6 seconds. Several extremely questional foul calls were issued against the US, and clear fouls vs the Soviets were not called. But the most controversial stuff came at the very end of the game.
With seven seconds to play, Doug Collins stole the cross-court pass by Alexander Belov'sand was fouled hard by Zurab Sakandelidze as he drove toward the basket. With three seconds remaining on the game clock, Collins was awarded two free throws and sank the first to tie the score at 49. Just as Collins lifted the ball to begin his shooting motion in attempting the second free throw, the horn from the scorer's table sounded, marking the beginning of a chain of events that left the game's final three seconds mired in controversy. Referee Renato Righetto turned away from the free throw attempt upon hearing the horn, but failed to stop play. Collins never broke his shooting motion and continued with his second free throw, scoring to put the U.S. ahead by a score of 50-49.
The Soviet inbounded the ball without a play called, but the bench was calling a timeout - which was in violation of the rules at the time. Upon seeing the commotion Righetto stopped play. The Soviets would than get a second inbounds play, but where they missed the would be game winning shot. Righetto again blew his whistle and said there was a scoring table malfunction. Giving the Soviets a third attempt, this time they got the ball to Belov who scored.
Ths US was livid and immediately protested, but once again were ignored and the Soviets were victorious handing the US their first Olympic loss.
The US walked off the court and refused to participate in the medal ceremony, and to this day have never recieved their medals - which are kept in a vault in Switzerland. The offical stance for the United States is that they US won and they will never accept the medals and the US refused to count the loss. As part of the agreement for the 2002 Salt Lake City winter games, the USOC and IOC agreed to change their record and accept the loss but still refuse the medal.
The US launched several appeals with both the IOC and FIBA, but because the Communist had a 3-2 voting majority the protest was once again ignored. The US continued its protests, this time with support of referee Renato Righetto, but the IOC deferred to the FIBA ruling.
The US will likely never accept the silver medals, and despite the agreement in Salt Lake City, the US has removed the medal from its official all-time silver medal count.
The loss to the Soviets would begin a streak of 3 straight losses to the USSR and the US would actually never beat the USSR again in Olympic play.
The majority of the members of the team would go on to play in the NBA. Bobby Jones would have the most successful career as a member of the 1983 Philadelphia 76ers championship team, and a 4 time all-star and 8x all defensive team member.
Doug Collins would have a decent NBA career, but would be most famous as a coach and commentator.
Tom McMillien would play 7 season in the NBA before joining Congress. As a member of Congress he passed legislation to once again protest the loss, but was ignored by both FIBA and the IOC.
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