Back then, the 1992 Dream Team was often regarded as the greatest basketball team ever assembled. The unit boasted NBA legends like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, and Patrick Ewing. Their true dominance on the court was unquestionable, winning their Olympic games by an average of 44 points. But many don’t know that the iconic squad suffered an unexpected defeat in a scrimmage against a group of rising college stars — a game that’s now getting its moment in the spotlight.
That part. And yes, it happened. Here’s the trailer before you read the rest …
We Beat The Dream Team, a new HBO Sports documentary, delves into this little-known chapter of basketball history, revealing the scrimmage that shocked the basketball world. The film, premiering on February 17 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and streaming on Max, tells how a group of college players helped prepare the Dream Team for the 1992 Olympics — and unexpectedly handed them their only loss.
The documentary’s synopsis explains: “We Beat The Dream Team reveals the untold story of a group of college basketball players tasked with preparing Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and the rest of the Dream Team for their Olympic debut.” The college team, which included future NBA stars like Grant Hill, Chris Webber, Penny Hardaway, Bobby Hurley, Jamal Mashburn, Allan Houston, Rodney Rogers, and Eric Montross, pulled off a stunning upset, defeating the NBA superstars in the scrimmage.
Directed by Michael Tolajian and featuring rare VHS footage of the game, the documentary sets the record straight on this legendary showdown. As it turns out, the underdog college players not only shocked the Dream Team but also played a key role in motivating them to go on to claim the Olympic gold medal.
We Beat The Dream Team offers a fascinating look at this historic moment in basketball, showcasing the fierce competition that helped shape one of the most dominant teams in sports history.
