Coming into the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, the United States had compiled an astonishing 71 and 1 record in men's basketball.

Basketball was our game, and in no other venue was that so apparent as in the Olympics. But that year was

different. While the rest of the world, who had been learning the game from the Americans,

were sending their best players, the American team, made up of all college players, struggled

to an embarrassing bronze medal finish. That was the last time we sent our boys.

Now it was time to send our men.

Larry Bird,

Scotty Pippin,

Michael Jordan,

Carl Malone,

John Stockton, Chris Mullin, Charles Barkley, Irvin, Magic Johnson.

Well, let's see. Patrick Johnson said it was his best memory ever.

I finally got a chance to play with Michael and Larry and also know them as men.

And that right there for me was the best.

All those nights Michael and I stayed at my chair's door for the moment.

Michael Jordan used it as a scouting expedition It was enlightening to me

because I never got to see

how these other guys lit.

It was more of a

scouting stick for me.

I wanted to see how

Maddie Johnson prepared for the game.

...