In a recent episode of All The Smoke, Chris Mullin shared rare insight into what shaped basketball’s golden era with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, from the 1984 Olympics to the Dream Team’s infamous intrasquad scrimmage.
Mullin was involved in many moments that defined basketball history. However, one could argue that none come close to his experience playing for the USA Olympic basketball team, winning gold in 1984 and 1992. The ’84 team had a remarkable collection of talent, and it was the last amateur team to win gold. Mullin explained to the guys that on that team you had Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, Sam Perkins, who Mullin shared played the bass guitar left-handed, and others. Mullin pointed out that this was Jordan’s ultra-coming-out party. He first saw His Airness during the 1981 McDonald’s All-American Game. Although he doesn’t remember saying it, people still tell him he called Jordan the greatest player he’d ever seen after that game. Mullin admits he has played with some great players in New York alone, but in that same breath, he said those same people would tell him that he said the same thing coming back from the Pan-American Games tryouts. In so many words, Mullin was trying to stress to the guys that Jordan was just different.
Going back to that ’84 team, Mullin shared that they played eight exhibition games against NBA teams. Those rosters had legends like Larry Bird, Isiah Thomas, Kevin McHale and Magic Johnson. And yet, Jordan was still the best player on the floor as a college junior and everyone knew it, said Mullin. Bob Knight was the coach of the 1984 team, and true to his persona, Knight was no-nonsense. As Mullin puts it, the team would practice after their games. Once, Leon Wood wore his hat backward during practice, and Knight kicked him out. Mullin affirmed that even though Knight was rough around the edges, he was fundamentally a good person. He told the guys that whenever he traveled internationally, he always took time to speak with Mullin’s father, a U.S. Customs agent at JFK Airport; for that, Mullin says Knight always had his respect.
Fast forward to the Dream Team in 1992, and Mullin shot the air out of the ball, going 14-of-26 from the 3-point line during their golden Olympic run. Mullin explained to Matt and Stak that the Dream Team experience was the pinnacle of his career, and he felt accepted. He also expressed the importance of timing. Mullin added that he was playing his best basketball then, and the stars aligned for him to be on that team; he explained that no one could have predicted it a year earlier in 1991. More importantly, Mullin’s Dream Team experience allowed him to play with some of his idols like Johnson and Bird, who he credits with bringing passing back during their era. A defining moment from that experience was when then-NBA Commissioner David Stern would constantly say to the team that they had no idea how much the Dream Team would impact the game. Mullin did not understand what Stern meant then, but fast forward to today, roughly a third of the NBA consists of foreign-born players. Moreover, Mullin highlighted the strong relationships built during that period because it allowed the players on that team to get to know one another beyond just being rivals. Players of that generation didn’t hang out much — maybe a golf tournament here and there — but this was also pre-social media. In today’s NBA, it is normal for players to hang out together. Mullin further expressed his gratitude for being able to play at a high level during those times and to be able to play on the Olympic team, both in ’84 and ’92, because many players did not get that opportunity.
So, they had to talk about it. What happened during that infamous Dream Team practice? Mullin said it wasn’t a passing of the torch; it was a full-on grab. As Mullin puts it, the Dream Team faced the French National Team in a final tune-up but did not play well. Chuck Daly, in response, organized an additional closed off practice before heading to Barcelona. Jordan had his team, and Johnson had his, and Mullin shared that there was some major trash-talking going on. He remembers Jordan going at Johnson, but Magic was not backing down. But in the corner of the gym was Bird resting his back, and he laughed, shook his head, and said, “It’s over.” Mullin added that it was funny to see Jordan take it and Johnson try to get it back, only for him to admit it was Jordan’s torch after all.
Chris Mullin says the famed Dream Team scrimmage made it crystal clear: Magic wasn't going to just hand over the 🏀 throne to MJ 👀
"Mike was just going at Magic and Magic was not giving up…It was cool to see not only Michael take it, but Magic fight for it and then go, 'Yeah,… pic.twitter.com/RRJjOj9SYm
— DraftKings Network (@DKNetwork) April 1, 2025
Watch or listen to the full episode below and keep an eye on DraftKings Network for new episodes of All The Smoke every Thursday at 6 p.m. ET!
SHOW BREAKDOWN
Chris Mullin’s Journey from Rehab to Hall of Fame, Untold Dream Team Story & That Infamous Practice
Join Chris Mullin as he takes you on a journey from his New York roots and college days to the unforgettable Dream Team era. Experience his insider stories about signing key players to Golden State, witnessing Nellie Ball, and living through the iconic 84’ Olympics versus the Dream Team.
Hear his firsthand insights on the infamous Dream Team practice, the Pacers move, and what truly set legends like Reggie Miller and Larry Bird apart.
VIDEO:
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