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San Antonio Spurs: The greatest Olympic performances in team history

By Marlow Ferguson Jr.

MELBOURNE, AUS - AUGUST 24: Patty Mills #5 of the Australia Boomers walks out to the court before the game against USA on August 24, 2019 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
MELBOURNE, AUS - AUGUST 24: Patty Mills #5 of the Australia Boomers walks out to the court before the game against USA on August 24, 2019 at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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David Robinson
(Photo By: Linda Cataffo/NY Daily News via Getty Images) /

3. David Robinson vs. Serbia

Final Score: United States, 95; Serbia, 69

Box Score: 28 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, 9-of-12 FG, 10-of-14 FT

Sharing the court with what some call the greatest team ever assembled in 1992 made it difficult for David Robinson to receive the individual shine he may have deserved.

In 1996 — on a slightly more tamed version of the Dream Team — the need for Robinson to step up and produce was urgent, especially on the night of the gold medal game against Serbia and Montenegro.

Outside of the 1992 gold medal, Robinson’s Olympic history as the clear-cut star of the team had been rocky.

Before that, he’d won a silver in 1987, and a bronze in 1988 as the leader of a team that lost to the Soviet Union before the final round, which proved especially devastating, given America’s history with the Soviet Union.

Though the loss would prompt the United States to put additional focus into team-building for future Olympics, Robinson called the 1988 loss a “unique distinction.” Which makes what happened in 1996 all the more impressive.

Discontented with how close the game was, Robinson put on a second-half show, finishing the game with 28 points and seven rebounds.

What stands out perhaps more than anything is how Robinson dominated the game, despite not using his full repertoire. Even without taking outside shots, or post hooks, Robinson worked within the pick-and-roll with John Stockton and caught entry passes, simply overpowering the opposition, especially in that second half.

He went on a personal 8-0 run, and helped guide the United States team to a 95-69 win.

Perhaps it’s only fitting that with this win, the United States Naval Academy graduate became the highest-scoring United States Olympian in history (270), surpassing Michael Jordan (256).

The game itself, for most, is famous for Serbian center and Hall of Famer Vlade Divac declaring that he was “99.9 percent sure” that the United States was going to beat his team. Sure enough, Robinson helped push the United States to a gold medal. Footage of the game can be viewed here.