
12. Tim Duncan (2004)
International basketball is typically uncompetitive when the US sends its strongest team. The talent pool is ridiculous because all the players are NBA stars. This makes it very difficult for other countries to compete against them. While there are other strong basketball nations, it’s unusual for the US to suffer defeats. However, they do occur, and it’s always big news when they happen.

In 2004, the USA met Puerto Rico in the Olympic Games. But Puerto Rico won the game against all of the odds. This was very humiliating for States because they lost to their own territory. Meanwhile, the likes of Duncan and Allen Iverson played for the USA so they had strong talent. Of course, Puerto Rico had NBA stars in their ranks too. But this was an island of four million against a nation of 330 million.