The History of the 1980 United States men's Olympic basketball team
The 1980 Moscow team is the greatest "what if" team in American basketball history. The roster was going to be stacked with talent, but nobody ever got to see how they stacked up against the best in the world.
In 1979 the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, setting off a world wide protest. In response to the invasion the United States and 66 other nations boycotted the 1980 Summer Olympics Moscow.
Still, the United States had a national team assembled. The team was lead by Isiah Thomas, Mark Aguirre, Sam Bowie and Rolando Blackman and was coached by David Gavit.
Several players, colleges and NBA officials along with politicians tried to persuade president Jimmy Carter to allow the US athletes to participate in the games, but to no avail. Carter had backing of both Republicans and Democrats in the boycott - though future president Ronald Reagan did criticize Carter for the move.
The US team played a series of games around the US called the Gold Medal Series, which was against NBA veterns and all-stars.
The first game played on June 16, 1980, was held at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, CA. It puts the US Olympic team vs an NBA roster of players including George Gervin, Maquese Johnson, Phil Smith, Kermit Washing and Reggie Theus. Elvin Hayes and Moses Malone were scheduled to play but didn't due to injuries. Michael Brooks scored 18 points to lead the Olympians to a 97-84 win over the NBA players.
Two days later the US Olympic team took on a group of NBA players in Phoenix, AZ. The NBA roster included Gar Heard, Dennis Johnson, Bob Lanier, Truck Robinson and Robert Reid. The Olympians dominated the NBA players 97-66 behind Al Woods 17 points.
The series moved to Seattle on June 20th, where the NBA team had a much deeper roster and more talent. The NBA team had Fred Brown, Lionel Hollins, Paul Westphal, Calvin Natt, Campy Russell, Purvis Short, Jack Sikma and Reggie Theus. The NBA team got the victory 78-76.
Two days the Mecca of basketball, Madison Square Garden in New York City. The NBA squad once again had a very talented roster with Nate Archibald, ML Carr, Mike Dunleavy, Alex English, George Johnson, and Michael Ray Richardson, but the US team was victorious 77-75.
The games next moved to Indianapolis and the US Olympians were once again victorious in another close game winning 82-76.
The final game was held in Greensboro, NC, where the 1980 US Men's team took on the 1976 mens team. The game was the most high profile of the games as it faced two evenly stacked teams. the 1980s squad pulled out a 81-77 victory handing the 1976 squad its only loss ever.
Overall the 1980 team went 5-1 and was treated by the American public as any other Olympic team.
With only two seniors (Brooks and Hanzlik) and three freshmen (Bowie, McCray and Thomas) the 1980 Olympic team was the youngest ever assembled. All 12 Olympians would become NBA 1st Round selections, with Aguirre the 1st overall pick in 1981.
Every member of the 1980 US team went on to play in the NBA.
Mark Aguire was drafted first overall by the Dallas Mavericks and eventually teamed back up with Rolando Blackman. Both were multiple time all-stars and lead the young Mavericks franchise to multiple playoffs in the 1980s.
Same Bowie is most famous for being the 2nd overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft, one pick a head of Michael Jordan. Bowie had an injury plagued career in the NBA.
Mike Brooks stuck around the for a few years before going to Europe.
Bull Hanzlik played a few seasons in the NBA before eventually becoming a coachin.
Alton Lister was a solid player for the Bucks during the 1980s and his career lasted longer than anyone elses on team USA as he played in the NBA until 1998. He currently coaches in the Philippines.
Rodney McCray was drafted third overall in 1983, but never amounted to star. he was a solid role player who eventually got a championship with the Jordan Bulls.
Isiah Thomas had the best NBA career of anyone on the team. He was a multi-time NBA all-star and one of the best defensive guards to ever play in the NBA. He lead the Pistons to two NBA titles in 1989 and 1990. His exclusion from the 1992 in favor of John Stockton had been a controversey for decades. He eventually became a general mananger for the Raptors and Knicks and is currently a television personality.
Darnell Valentine played several seasons in the NBA before going to Europe.
Danny Vranes played 7 seasons with the Sonics and Sixers before finishing his career in Europe.
Buck Williams enjoyed a long career in the NBA with the Nets, Blazers and Knicks. He made 3 all-star teams and was the 1982 rookie of the year.
Al Wood had the shortest career in the NBA at just six seasons. He like many others on team USA would finish his career in Europe.
In 2007 all 461 members of team USA were awarded Congressional Gold Medals by the United States Congress - it is the highest civillian honor bestowed upon Americans.
In a bit of irony, the USSR finished third in their 1980 Moscow games as Yugoslavia once again beat them to take gold, Italy won silver and the Soviets bronze.
Several counties who have only made one Olympic basketball appearance played in the 1980 games including India, Poland, Sweden and Senegal. In total only 12 team participated.
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