NBA
What NBA player has the best win-loss record with Team USA?
As far as the best Olympic records go, neither Kobe Bryant nor Michael Jordan hold the number one spot with Team USA.
The US Olympic basketball team will begin its search for a new gold medal on Friday, July 26, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Their pre-Olympic showcase games against Canada (86-72) in Las Vegas and in Abu Dabi against both Australia (98-92) and Serbia (105-79) have once again confirmed the American team’s dominance in this sport. Since the US’s first basketball participation in the 1936 Olympic Games, their path has only been filled with success: they have won 16 gold medals in 20 participations.
In order to see the last time the US basketball team was not on the top spot of the podium, we have to go back to the 2004 Athens Olympic Games when Argentina put on a fantastic show, knocking out the US in the semi-finals (81-89). One of the reasons behind the United States’ success can be attributed to Barcelona’s 1992 Olympic Games, when they decided to bring NBA players for the first time.
In Team USA’s history, iconic players have left their mark, with some holding an unbeaten streak when representing their country. Let’s have a look at the five NBA American players with the best record for Team USA.
Who are the top 5 NBA players with the best record with Team US?
5. Steve Smith (26-0)
Th former Miami Heat, Atlanta Hawks, San Antonio Spurs, and Charlotte Hornets soothing guard can boast of being in the exclusive list of players who never lost a game with Team US.
He was part of the United States team that won the gold medal in the 2000 Olympic games in Sydney. The Americans beat France in the final 85-75.
4. Tyson Chandler (27-0)
Although Chandler’s NBA career does not boast the same magnitude as the top three names on the list, the former Chicago Bulls center was part of the US Team that left the London 2012 Olympic games with the gold medal.
3. Michael Jordan (30-0)
You’re not surprised, are you? Six-time NBA champion, six-time NBA finals MVP, five-time MVP, and an all-time basketball legend, Michael Jordan brought the word success to the next level and took it with him when representing the United States.
He was part of the so-called “Dream Team” that participated in Barcelona’s 1992 Olympic Games and won the gold medal after beating Croatia 118-85 in the final. Jordan was also part of the squad (as a college athlete) that won gold at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
2. Kobe Bryant (36-0)
The Black Mamba is one of the best NBA players of all time and was one of the former Los Angeles Lakers players that came to save Team US after their 2004 Olympic Games disappointing defeat against Argentina in the semifinals.
With Kobe on the team, the United States took revenge on Argentina in the 2008 Pekin Olympic Games, beating them in the semi-finals and winning the gold medal against Spain in the final. Bryant also led the US alongside Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Tyson Chandler to retain gold at the 2012 London Games.
1. Jason Kidd (46-0)
The current Dallas Mavericks coach sits alone on the throne as the player with the best record with Team USA.
It may surprise some, but the former point guard is one of the few ex-athletes who can boast of winning two gold medals with his country.
Regarding his incredible 46-0 record with his country, Kidd first participated in Sydney’s 2000 Olympic Games; alongside him was Steve Smith, who we’ve already seen on this list. Kidd had to withdraw from the 2004 Olympic Games due to an injury but he returned for the US Pekin’s 2008 gold medal victory, leading the team during their unbeaten 10-0 record.