The 1992 Olympics allowed Michael Jordan and Clyde Drexler to finally experience what it was like to wear the same jersey. The legendary shooting guards figured in 23 face-offs, including six games in the 1992 Finals matchup between the Chicago Bulls and Portland Trail Blazers.
Interestingly, the pair could have been teammates if the Blazers drafted Jordan with the No. 2 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. Apparently, they could have also played for Team USA in the 1984 Olympics had Drexler decided to remain an amateur and stay in college one more year, like coach Bob Knight suggested he should have done.
"If I had stayed in college, I would have been a senior," the Blazers icon said while discussing his rivalry with MJ. "The '84 Olympic team, Bobby Knight sent me a letter and, 'I want you and Jordan to head my Olympic team in '84.' But I ended up going to the NBA. "
Drexler declaring for the '83 Draft
The Louisiana native had to decide after his junior year whether to continue playing for the University of Houston or go pro. He had some unfinished business after helping lead the Cougars to two straight NCAA Final Four appearances, including a trip to the championship game in 1983.
However, Drexler opted to join the Association and ended up as Portland's No. 14 selection. If he had finished his final year of college eligibility, he would have been part of the fabled 1984 Draft class, which includes Jordan, his Houston buddy Hakeem Olajuwon, and his future Houston Rockets teammate Charles Barkley.
It's unclear if Clyde would have still slid down to the 14th pick or later if that were the case. But a stint with Team USA in the Los Angeles Olympics could have boosted his draft stock, especially considering how the squad steamrolled the competition and its tuneup games against a select team composed of NBA stars.
Related: "Jerry and I gave him his going-away present - When Jerry Krause gave Scottie Pippen a $20 million parting gift
The 1984 team's incredible run
The 1984 Team USA wasn't challenged much in the Olympics, with only Germany putting up a real fight during the tournament. While opponents lost to the Red, White, and Blue by an average margin of 32.1 points per game, the Germans were defeated by just 11 points. MJ's struggles that contest had Knight yelling at the five-time NBA MVP, who reportedly cried out of embarrassment .
Still, the gold-medal result didn't come as a surprise, given that the national squad defeated a team of NBA All-Stars, including Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and Isiah Thomas, eight times (and lost no matchups) ahead of the Olympics.
In addition to Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Chris Mullin, Alvin Robertson, Wayman Tisdale, and Sam Perkins represented the country then. In hindsight, Drexler could have easily been one of the best players in that unit.
Related: "I was backing off him saying, 'You can't hit that'" - Drexler on how he provoked Jordan to go off in the 'Shrug Game'
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