After a handful of exhibition games with other national teams and practices in Monaco, the Dream Team made their Olympic debut on July 26. Their group (Group A) featured Croatia, Brazil, and hosts Spain. However, their first opponent in group play was Angola, who qualified three years earlier in FIBA\u2019s Africa tournament. The Angolans were obviously undersized and outmatched, but they were still Africa\u2019s lone representative.<\/p>

The starting lineup for the Dream Team was Bird, Ewing, Jordan, Magic, and Malone. Between the five of them were 10 NBA championship games as well as loads of All-Star appearances. The Palacio Municipal de Deportes de Badalona was all abuzz for this game.<\/p>

The Dream Team got off to a slow start; Ewing won the opening tip and Malone was fouled. \u201cThe Mailman\u201d missed his first free throw, but made his second to give the Dream Team a one to zero lead. A dunk by Angola\u2019s David Dias gave the Angolans a two to one lead. This would be the only lead that Angola would have. The Angolans kept the game tight as the Americans surprisingly struggled. Ewing collected two fouls and was replaced by Robinson as Angola tied the game at seven.<\/p>

The Run and The Elbow Heard ‘Round the World<\/h2>

Then came the most historic run that the Olympics would ever see at that time. Malone\u2019s three-point play gave the Dream Team an 11-seven lead and his fast-break dunk increased the lead to six. Jordan\u2019s layup was followed by Magic\u2019s brilliant peripheral pass to Bird (at 23:31) to increase the lead to 11. The United States’ defense forced Angola to continually shoot from the outside and they made them pay with fast-break opportunities.<\/p>

Barkley, Drexler, Mullin, and Pippen entered the game as the Dream Team continued to push the pace of play. But later what followed would be one of the most talked-about incidents of the game. After completing a fast break layup, Barkley would elbow Angola F Herlander Coimbra (at the 36:23 mark). Barkley was considered by many to be a villain throughout the tournament, but remained unapologetic, claiming Coimbra had fouled him hard. <\/p>

Coimbra converted one of the two foul shots in what was the only point in a 46 to one run by the Dream Team. The score at the half: USA 64, Angola 16.<\/p>

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