1992 U.S. Olympic basketball team (Photo)

Magic Johnson screams as he lifts the American flag just after receiving his gold medal, after the USA defeated Croatia in in the Olympic basketball finals in Barcelona, Spain, on Aug. 8, 1992. (FILE, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS / January 29, 1996)

The men's basketball team that represented the United States at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, became known casually as the Dream Team because it was loaded with some of the most elite players ever to compete in the NBA. The roster included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Christian Laettner, David Robinson, Chris Mullin and Clyde Drexler and was coached by Chuck Daly, who won two NBA titles as coach of the Detroit Pistons. They were sent over to do one thing -- bring home a major international title for the first time since 1986. They accomplished that, beating Croatia in the gold medal game 117-85. In some ways, though, it was a strange experience. They were mobbed like rock stars by spectators, and their opponents often seemed in awe of them, some even asking for autographs. In the end, though, they got what they had sought -- Olympic gold and a spark in the growth of international basketball that has led many players from other countries to play in today's NBA.