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The players themselves, the journalists, and the coaches all have shared their stories of their journey to Olympic glory.
The 1992 United States Men’s Olympic basketball team, famously known as the “Dream Team”, is widely regarded as one of the greatest sports teams ever assembled.
The roster was filled, for the first time in Olympic Games history, with NBA players in the golden era of the league. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird had their dominance of the tournament granted even before entering the field.
The players themselves, the journalists, or the coaches all have shared their stories of their journey to Olympic glory.
However one of the lesser-known aspects of their success was their decision to hold their pre-Olympic training camp outside of the USA or Barcelona, the designated city for the 1992 Olympic Games, but in the luxurious surroundings of Monaco.
Monaco was ideal for a few reasons
Monaco might seem an odd choice for a pre-Olympic training camp: back then, the AS Monaco basketball team wasn’t as strong as nowadays, and it was near Barcelona, but why not go there directly? The primary reason was privacy. By 1992, the players on the Dream Team were global superstars.
The NBA was enjoying its golden era thanks to the recent rivalry between Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan was already one of the most recognizable athletes in the world. A training camp in the United States would have drawn too much media attention and potential distractions, making it difficult for the players to focus.
On the other hand, Monaco provided a secluded and controlled environment. The principality is known for its discretion and ability to maintain the privacy of its high-profile visitors and inhabitants, which was what the Dream Team was looking for. The players could focus on their training, without the overwhelming presence of fans or media.
Moreover, the players wanted Monaco. Was it for the luxurious amenities? No. For the iconic Hôtel de Paris? Not at all. It was for the casinos.
Back then, online casinos like Spin Casino weren’t an option, and the roster of the Dream Team had a few gambling aficionados among them. Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Barkley, and Pippen are well-known players, and there are a few stories about their nights in the Loews casino.
The Legendary Scrimmage
Another intra-story of what happened in Monaco’s Dream Team training camp was an intra-squad scrimmage that has since become the stuff of legend. The scrimmage was held behind closed doors and is often referred to as the greatest game the public has ever seen.
Michael Jordan is well-known as a competitive beast, and his spirit made the other stars of the team take the scrimmage seriously, treating it almost like an NBA Final game.
According to the staff of the American Olympic Team, the level of play was extraordinary, showcasing the competitive fire that burned each of these basketball legends. The match was so intense that many of the players later recalled it as one of the most competitive games they ever played in, even though it being just a practice session.
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