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Over and Back: A ring and a gold medal in the same summer

By Rich Kraetsch

BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 15: Marc Gasol #13 of Spain smiles after receiving his medal after winning the 2019 FIBA World Cup Final against Argentina at the Cadillac Arena on September 15, 2019 in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
BEIJING, CHINA - SEPTEMBER 15: Marc Gasol #13 of Spain smiles after receiving his medal after winning the 2019 FIBA World Cup Final against Argentina at the Cadillac Arena on September 15, 2019 in Beijing, China. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Marc Gasol made history this summer becoming one of a select few to win both a gold medal and NBA Finals ring in the same summer — our latest episode looks at the others who achieved this feat and how it impacted their career.

This week on the Over and Back Classic NBA Podcast, Jason Mann and Rich Kraetsch go international with a fun topic about NBA players who won a gold medal and an NBA Finals ring in the same summer. We’ll look at the players who achieved this feat — Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Lamar Odom, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving and Marc Gasol — and discuss how the summer impacted their careers.

For each player we will start with a look at their NBA careers prior to the fateful summer, their NBA Title run and of course their international playing history and what the gold medal meant for their NBA careers, personal brands and Basketball Hall of Fame candidacy.

Topics include Jordan’s brand exploding after the “passing of the torch” moment in 1992, the dominance of the 1992 Dream Team, comparing the 1992 and 1996 Team USA lineups, Pippen finally emerging from Jordan’s shadow, Odom’s redemption tour and career peak, LeBron silencing his doubters in one summer, Irving’s legendary NBA Finals performance and finally, a weight lifted off Gasol’s shoulders as he finally leads Spain to FIBA World Cup gold.

Additionally, we’ll briefly touch on WNBA players who achieved a gold medal and title win in the same season including Sue Bird who has done is three times as well as Tina Thompson, Sheryl Swoopes, Delish Milton, Lisa Leslie, Tamecka Dixon, Katie Smith, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Brittney Griner, Candice Dupree, Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd.

Finally, we look at players who won an NBA ring the year after winning a gold medal including Bill Russell, Manu Ginobili, Kobe Bryant, Tyson Chandler, Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant and Draymond Green.

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