You Won’t Believe Who Was Left Off the Dream Team’s Practice Squad

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In this compelling documentary, a group of college athletes faced off against the unrivaled Dream Team, composed of NBA legends in 1992. Unfortunately, one notable player, Shaquille O’Neal, was not part of that historical squad – his absence then is still felt today, making it all the more disappointing. Known for his exceptional skills and vibrant personality, Shaq would have undeniably enriched an already entertaining film experience, as he serves as a broadcaster for Inside The NBA.

The Choice Of Christian Laettner Was Understandable But Frustrating

If you’re unfamiliar with events three decades past in the NBA, the formation of the 1992 United States men’s Olympic basketball team, popularly known as the “Dream Team,” was a significant milestone. As the roster was announced, it became clear why – names like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, and John Stockton graced the list. In total, there were 12 players, with eleven of them destined for the Basketball Hall of Fame at that time. A single player was selected from the college ranks as a nod to the previous Olympic teams comprised solely of amateur collegiate athletes. Since then, other “Dream Teams” have emerged, but none quite like the original one.

In 1992, it was Christian Laettner who was chosen to represent college basketball on a national team, not Shaquille O’Neal of LSU. While this pick wasn’t entirely unwarranted considering Laettner’s back-to-back NCAA Championships with Duke Blue Devils, the choice left many questioning the decision. This is because O’Neal was undeniably the top college player that year, a fact that became evident when he was picked first in the NBA draft just a few months later. Despite his extraordinary college performance, Shaq wasn’t part of the team, which sparked frustration among fans and analysts alike. The documentary, accessible with an HBO Max subscription, doesn’t delve into the reasons behind Laettner’s selection over O’Neal or why O’Neal was excluded from team practices.

Shaq Wasn’t On The Select Team, So He Wasn’t In The Documentary

Shaquille O’Neal wasn’t among the eight college players selected to participate in the practice sessions and scrimmages for the Dream Team before the Barcelona Olympics. It seems USA Basketball and O’Neal had their reasons for this, as he was set to join the draft later that same month. Given this timing, it wouldn’t have been wise to include him on the team and potentially expose him to injury or other complications. Alonzo Mourning, another future Hall of Famer who also missed out on the Dream Team, was picked second in the draft.

The Select Team was filled with talented college players such as Grant Hill, Bobby Hurley, the late Eric Montrose, Penny Hardaway, and Allen Houston, to name a few. However, there was no Shaq on the team when this documentary was created. This meant that we didn’t get to enjoy Shaq’s humor and charisma in “We Beat The Dream Team,” and that was a loss because his presence would have added so much to the story. Some of the most interesting tales in the documentary revolve around the banter between the professional All-Stars and the college players. These are exactly the kind of stories people yearn to hear about Shaq, and it’s unfortunate we didn’t get to because of a questionable decision made over three decades ago.

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2025-03-25 03:07