The G.O.A.T You’ve Never Known

Summary

Pablo Torre Finds Out — “The G.O.A.T You’ve Never Known” (March 14, 2024) Podcast Summary

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Episode Overview

On this compelling episode of Pablo Torre Finds Out, Pablo takes listeners deep into the story of Oscar Schmidt, a basketball legend often called the greatest scorer the NBA never knew. Sitting in Schmidt’s home in Orlando, Pablo unveils the life, legacy, and overlooked impact of the “Holy Hand” — a man arguably responsible for the globalization of basketball and the creation of the famed 1992 Dream Team. Through in-depth conversations with Schmidt, sports journalists, and former competitors, the episode digs into why Oscar's legacy remains mostly unknown in the United States, the cultural and structural barriers that kept him out of the NBA, and his huge role in basketball history.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Is Oscar Schmidt? (00:33–03:43)

• Schmidt is the all-time leading scorer in international basketball, with 49,737 career points—more than LeBron, Kareem, or Michael Jordan.
• Known as “Holy Hand” in Italy and revered across Europe and Latin America.
• Pablo admits he only recently learned Schmidt’s full story, underlining how even devoted basketball fans in the US may not know him.

2. Basketball Journey & Nicknames (01:30–03:00)

• Oscar shares the origin of “Holy Hand” (“In Italy, your nickname was what? — ‘It's my Holy Hand.’” – 01:32).
• Hall of Fame ring represents his unique status as a legend outside the NBA.

3. Heroes & Influence (03:43–06:15)

• Schmidt was welcomed into the Naismith Hall of Fame by his idol, Larry Bird.
  • “[Larry Bird] was my idol my whole life.” — Oscar Schmidt (03:52)
• Kobe Bryant considered Oscar his favorite player after watching him outplay Kobe’s father in Italy.
  • Oscar's influence directly touched Kobe's formative years in the game.

4. The Underrated G.O.A.T. (06:28–07:29)

• Schmidt believes he could have been a top-10 NBA player had he played there.
  • “I would be top 10, sure that I'll be top 10. Me, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan…” — Oscar Schmidt (06:31)
• Pablo frames Oscar as possibly the most underappreciated basketball player ever.

5. Ahead of His Time: Shooter & Style (07:55–10:58)

• Analyst Fran Frischilla describes Schmidt as a “shooting savant,” ahead of his time, whose style would have transcended in today’s NBA.
  • “Oscar was ahead of his time…His strength was scoring the ball. Great shooter, could score from anywhere…” — Fran Frischilla (07:55)
• Schmidt had a nearly 45% 3-point average, shooting more threes than entire NBA teams in the '80s.
  • “My objective [was to] shoot more than anybody.” — Oscar Schmidt (09:28)
• Oscar’s chocolate anecdote: he received chocolates for defense as motivation, eating 55 in one day, paralleling his shooting mentality—take as many as possible (09:57–10:58).

6. Declining the NBA for National Pride (11:16–14:13)

• Drafted by the New Jersey Nets in 1984 (sixth round, 131st), Oscar turned down the NBA to keep his eligibility for the Brazilian national team due to FIBA rules.
  • “If you play just one game in NBA on that time, you could not play never more with your national team.” — Oscar Schmidt (13:28)
• Explains the lack of respect for international players in the NBA at the time.
• His choice was easy: “I just want to know if I am capable. And today I know that I am capable to play in NBA.” — Oscar Schmidt (14:10)

7. Legendary Moments: Facing Jordan, Toppling the USA (14:49–25:19)

• Schmidt faced Michael Jordan in exhibition (glass-shattering dunk anecdote).
  • “I said to [Jordan], ‘you are not from the earth.’ And he respond, ‘you too.’” (15:24)
• The 1987 Pan Am Games: Brazil, led by Schmidt (46 points), staged a stunning comeback to defeat a US team that had never before lost on home soil.
  • Mike Wilbon reveals reporters left the arena early believing the US’s victory was assured, only to be stunned by Schmidt’s single-handed comeback. (18:44–19:00)
• Schmidt describes being “in the zone,” talking to God, making seven threes in the second half, slapping his face to stay awake, and the euphoria of making history.
  • “I'm weak. Come on, give him the ball.” — Oscar Schmidt (23:33)
  • On crying after the win: “Because when you win something that you're not supposed to win…most of the times you cry.” — Oscar Schmidt (25:00)
• The US was so unprepared they didn’t even have the Brazilian anthem ready for the ceremony.

8. The Domino Effect: Creating the Dream Team (25:33–33:13)

• The loss triggered a rule change—NBA players could now compete internationally, making the 1992 Dream Team possible.
  • “If we didn’t win that game, there is no Dream Team.” — Oscar Schmidt (30:08)
  • “You’re kind of personally responsible for Kobe Bryant becoming the player that he was…” — Pablo Torre (05:47)
• Oscar humbly but firmly claims credit: “A young responsible for the Dream Team.” (31:21)
• Pablo reveals to Oscar how this “first domino” transformed global basketball, paving the way for all international NBA stars to follow.

9. A Career “Without” the NBA—But With No Regrets (33:13–39:48)

• Oscar considered joining the NBA after the rule change but felt he was already past his prime.
• “NBA wouldn't change my game, wouldn't change my personality, nothing.” — Oscar Schmidt (33:13)
• He watched the Dream Team thrash Brazil in ’92, recognizing his own influence in basketball’s global expansion.
  • He underscores: “I never played in NBA because I didn’t want to play in NBA, because New Jersey drafted me at 6 round…that’s why…” (39:07)

10. Legacy, Recognition & Reflections (39:48–46:06)

• Pablo and Oscar discuss LeBron James likely to surpass his points record and Oscar’s reaction.
  • “Records are made to be broken. So broke as fast as he wants.” — Oscar Schmidt (40:33)
• Oscar gives advice to LeBron: “Keep playing the way you were playing…you’ll be the first one in the world.” (41:18)
• Humorous look at Oscar playing (and dominating) celebrity basketball at age 60+.
• Oscar discusses life in America, his love for Disney and the NFL, and fondness for American pastime.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Respect in the Hall of Fame:
  “My idol welcoming Oscar to the hall of Fame is Larry Bird. Ladies and gentlemen, Oscar Schmidt. It's too easy to have Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant as an idol.… Larry Bird was my idol my whole life.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (03:52)

• On Declining the NBA:
  “If you play just one game in NBA on that time, you could not play never more with your national team.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (13:28)

  “I never played in NBA because I didn’t want to.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (39:07)

• On the Pan Am Games Comeback:
  “I talk to God too. Talk to God is something almost perfect right now.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (19:51)

  “If you are emotional, I was very emotional. And all our players are crying.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (25:00)

• On Creating the Dream Team:
  “If we didn’t win that game, there is no Dream Team. Simple like this. And I know this.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (30:08)

  “You’re the first domino that results in the Dream Team exporting basketball, which leads to all of the great international players who did the thing that you did not do, which is they went to the NBA.”
  — Pablo Torre (31:24)

• On Shooting Mentality:
  “My objective [was to] shoot more than anybody.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (09:28)

• On Modern NBA & Legacy:
  “I look for Luka Doncic, I look for Jokic. I look for all the foreign players. Much more than American players. Because they are better than American players. They are much better.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (36:16)

• On Regret or Bitterness:
  “I feel like you don’t know me. Okay, no problem. Go, go with your team. I don’t get upset about this.”
  — Oscar Schmidt (38:18)

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Segment Timestamps

• 00:33–03:43 — Introduction to Oscar Schmidt’s legend
• 03:43–06:15 — Idols, Kobe connection, and Hall of Fame story
• 06:28–07:29 — The most underappreciated basketball player
• 07:55–10:58 — Innovation, 3-point shooting, and “chocolate strategy”
• 11:16–14:13 — Decision not to join NBA, FIBA rule, national pride
• 14:49–15:24 — Playing against Michael Jordan, dunk story
• 16:04–25:19 — 1987 Pan Am Games, upset over Team USA
• 25:33–33:13 — Ramifications of US loss, Dream Team creation, worldwide ripple
• 33:13–39:48 — Post-prime NBA thoughts, reflections on global legacy
• 39:48–46:06 — LeBron’s record, aging, celebrity game, and American life

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Final Reflections

Pablo concludes that Oscar Schmidt’s story is not just about missed opportunities in the NBA, but about global impact and a career that changed the very structure of international basketball. Schmidt, ever cheerful, feels no bitterness—only pride. Through contagious charm, thoughtful reflection, and a laugh as noteworthy as his scoring, he emerges as the G.O.A.T. the American basketball world never truly recognized, but that history will not forget.

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Listen for:

• The “talking to God” moment and self-slapping in the Pan Am game (19:51, 23:33)
• Surreal video messages from rivals, especially Rex Chapman’s emotional tribute (27:38)
• Oscar’s sharply witty takes on chocolate, shooting, and NBA philosophy (09:57, recurring throughout)
• The revelation that “if you don’t shoot from trees, you don’t win anymore” (37:21)
• The poignant: “Records are made to be broken. So broke as fast as he wants.” (40:33)

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A must-listen for anyone interested in global basketball, hidden legends, and the real forces that shaped the modern NBA.

Transcript

[Pablo Torre]

Welcome to Pablo Torre finds out. I am Pablo Torre. And today we're gonna find out what this sound is.

[Rex Chapman]

Oscar Schmidt. It's Rex Chapman. First you.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Right after this ad.

[Pablo Torre]

You'Re listening to Giraffe Kings.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Cool. Here we go. This is take one.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Cool. We're good. Rolling. Before we get started, I just want to say, Oscar, you have one of the greatest laughs I've ever heard.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Oh, yeah. People always, always say this.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You do. You really do. So I want to confess something. In the spirit of goodwill and friendship, because you've invited me into your home. I'm sitting with you on your couch, and I want to confess that I didn't really know your story until this past week when I started reporting the story. And I decided that I need to sit on this man's couch and talk to him in person because I think it's really important for people to understand your story. So sorry, and thank you for having me. I want people to know your legend.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Because you have these amazing. Some of the best nicknames.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So in Italy, your nickname was what?

[Oscar Schmidt]

It's my Holy Hand.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

The Holy Hand.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Holy Hand is a.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Awesome. Excuse me. An amazing. An amazing nickname.

[Oscar Schmidt]

We're gonna cut this, right?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah, yeah, we're gonna cut this. Don't wanna cut. Commit heresy while talking about the Holy Hand, but explain the Holy Hand as a nickname.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Is. That's a something that.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Which hand is it? Which hand is it?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Right.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I don't use anything here. Here I have a full of things.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah, you happen to have your giant.

[Pablo Torre]

Hall of Fame ring.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

That's a Hall of fame on your middle finger. On your left hand, the unholy hand.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Hold it. This is tough.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah, this is. And holding Oscar Schmidt's hall of Fame ring is. Is a bucket list thing for me now that I've learned exactly why you are deserving of this. Of this title.

[Pablo Torre]

All right, so the reason I have traveled here, the reason I have come to Oscar Schmidt's vacation home in Orlando, is because I wanted to find out the parts of his story that cannot be Googled. Because, yes, you can look up Oscar, and you can see that he scored the most points in Olympic history. He scored 29 a game for the Brazilian national team. He dropped a record 55 on Spain in 1988. And you can also see that Oscar Schmidt, now 66 years old, has also scored more points than any basketball player ever. And he played across Brazil, across Italy, across Spain. He has the world basketball points record which has stood from the day he retired back in 2003. It is the one scoring record that LeBron James has not yet broken. But when I showed up at Oscar's house in Orlando, what he told me immediately was that Americans don't really even do this. They don't show up. They don't ask him to tell his side of his own story. And what I realized was that as a journalist who fell in love with the game, with basketball, because of the 92 Dream Team with Michael and Magic and Larry and Team USA, even Christian Lader, I was on that exact same track to be like everybody else.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

I watched you get inducted to the Basketball hall of Fame, of course, and the man who walks you down the.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Aisle was Larry Bird.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Was Larry Bird.

[Oscar Schmidt]

My idol welcoming Oscar to the hall of Fame is Larry Bird. Ladies and gentlemen, Oscar Schmidt. It's too easy to have Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant as an idol. The guy flies around and do whatever he wants. It's too easy. My guy doesn't run, doesn't jump and play the best of everybody else. He's here. Larry Birdworth was my idol my whole life.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Well, it seems like he also respects.

[Oscar Schmidt]

You, of course, because I play almost like him. My coach in Italy said to me one time, you should be Larry Bird.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Just be Larry Bird is some good coaching. Be Larry Bird is some good coaching advice. I was watching clips of Kobe Bryant.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And Kobe Bryant was talking about how you, Oscar, were his favorite player.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Kobe Bryant was different. He was my guy. Let me tell you a story.

[Rex Chapman]

He was Bird before I ever had.

[Oscar Schmidt]

A chance to see what Bird was. I'm gonna take you to Oscar Schmidt, too, now. Oh, he was bad. Yeah. Oscar Schmidt. Yes. Yes. We had 47 in the US in the pan Am games. His dad plays in Italy, and he.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Grew up playing in Italy.

[Oscar Schmidt]

He grew up watching me beat his dad every year. He said to his father that he likes me. Joe said, no, no. Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan. No, no, no, no, no. You lose to Oscar every year. I will continue with O.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Which is all to say that you're kind of partially responsible for Kobe Bryant becoming the player that he was.

[Oscar Schmidt]

That's incredible, isn't?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

I mean, but the record that is in the news right now, right, is that you are the leading scorer in world basketball history of the most total points of any human being who has ever walked the earth. And so you're ahead of currently, LeBron James, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Karl Malone, Michael Jordan. So what is your record? How many total points?

[Oscar Schmidt]

49,737. And I'm very proud of that because I never played for records. I always play to win games, to win championship, to be the best.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

What would Oscar Schmidt's NBA career have been like?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I would be top 10, sure that I'll be top 10. Me, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and all the rest that play in the Dream team.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You're, you're 100% positive?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Of course.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So I want, I want to make the case here though that you're not just the greatest basketball player that never played in the NBA. I want to explore the possibility that you're actually the most underappreciated basketball player. Yes. To ever live.

[Oscar Schmidt]

And I live with that and I live good with that.

[Pablo Torre]

So the case I'm here to make today is not simply that Oscar Schmidt is really underrated at basketball. But it is funny to me when I make these calls, as I have been all month, to longtime coaches and longtime analysts like Fran Frischilla, these guys who have been professionally scouting internationally in specific for decades, that they can't really help themselves.

[Fran Frischilla]

So Oscar was ahead of his time. And if Oscar had come in his prime, we would be thinking about Oscar in a way that we think of probably Luca, Dirk or, or Jokic because he was truly a great player. His, his strength was scoring the ball. Great shooter, could score from anywhere on the floor and very confident, cocky guy. And he would have been, his personality would have been a great fit for the modern NBA. And with the three point line nowadays, he really would have been a magical player to watch. You know, the Steph Curry's of the world don't realize, probably didn't know until they did their homework that there were guys like this that could really shoot it just like them.

[Pablo Torre]

And that is not an exaggeration by the way. For his career, Oscar averaged almost 45% from three. It would have been second all time in the NBA if he did it in the NBA. Number one was Steve Kerr, A guy who it is worth noting attempted less than two three pointers per game. Oscar by contrast, attempted eight and a half threes per game. Eight and a half, which would have been second career only to Steph Curry in the league. But the biggest difference with Oscar by far is that when he was doing all of this in the late 80s, nobody else was anywhere. I mean, just look it up. In 87, the Dallas Mavericks led the NBA by attempting eight threes per game. As a team, Oscar shot more than that by himself.

[Oscar Schmidt]

That was my objective shoot more than anybody.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Did people try to convince you not to do that?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes, all my coaches shoot sometimes, Oscar. Not many, but when I do 10 from 11, 8 from 8. Oh, you did good, eh?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah. When you score 49,000 points, it's like, okay, maybe this guy was onto something. But who gave you the idea at 6 foot 9? Because it's also that you're taller than everybody.

[Oscar Schmidt]

It's obvious. If you have a line, let's say from here to there, it's three points, why are you gonna shoot two? Arivi Dao, your coach, our coach, he gave me chocolates when I get rebound, because I was more to offense. And then he must defend something. And then he gave me this present, this chocolate. And one day I went to the hospital because during the practice I was with a bag with 55 of these chocolates, and I ate it from one day to the other, all 55.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So your approach.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I'm going to start to piss Brown.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You're saying, Oscar, your approach to eating chocolates was your approach to shooting threes. Of course, as many as you can get. You wanted. You wanted to take those.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes, because I didn't like a lot defense, but I knew that I must guard somebody. And that's the reason that he gave me these chocolates. Get some rebound, Oscar, come on.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

With all of this understood, I want to get to the enormous decision that ensured why I growing up and why lots of Americans in my generation and younger and older too, why we don't know your story, which is you chose not to play in the NBA.

[Sports Commentator]

For the next three hours, the USA.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Cable Network wishes you to join us for the 1984 NBA Draft. We will be. I want to ask you about the fact that you get drafted by the nets. This is 40 Years Ago Now, 1984. That's Michael Jordan, that's Akeem Olajuwon, Charles Barkley. Those are the guys who get drafted in the top five picks, of course. And so sixth round, you get taken 131st overall. And so your feeling, your first reaction to being the 131st pick was what?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Come on, man, if you want me, get me the first round. I could say to him a lot of bad words, but I keep it up and I go there.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So you go to the Nets.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I go to the Nets. I go to the camp of Nets.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You go to America.

[Oscar Schmidt]

And I ask them, who is the first choice? Oh, Jeff Turner. Jeff Turner play in Italy. And I kick his butt every year. And then I go there and said to the Coach, coach, here's one point a minute. If you give me 20 minutes, I give you 20 points. We play five games against the Hokies of the other teams. They gave me 25 minutes, I gave him 25 points. They become crazy about me.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You played five of training camp games?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And you just shot.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Where is Jeff Turner? Oh, he cannot come. He was first choice. First choice. He should be here showing us that he was the first choice. And I said no to the contract.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Well, I want to explain how we get to that point, because there's this rule, and it's a FIBA rule, and it says NBA players specifically are not allowed to play in the Olympics and these represent their country. On the national team, it was an NBA specific rule.

[Oscar Schmidt]

If you play just one game in NBA on that time, you could not play never more with your national team.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Right.

[Oscar Schmidt]

And for me, national team was first, one second the teams. But national team, you represent a country, so for me was the best thing.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

How would you describe at the time how the NBA viewed international players?

[Oscar Schmidt]

They don't view international.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Did it feel like disrespect?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Of course.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And so for you, the decision not to sign with the Nets, which was a decision to not go to the NBA, how difficult was that decision in the end?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Easy. They offered me the contract and I don't want it. I just want to know if I am capable. And today I know that I am capable to play in NBA.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So you just went to training camp to prove that if you did decide to do it, you could do it.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Why six rounds? Come on, man. I know how to play basketball.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And so you go back to Italy, right? You're playing in Italy, you're scoring a million points in Italy. And the next year, in 1985, you encounter one of the guys that you would have played against in the NBA had you decided to go. And it's an exhibition game. I wanted to know about the game you played against Michael Jordan.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Oh, yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And I have a video, because I want you to just rewatch this video that I have. What happens is Michael Jordan goes up, he dunks, and the entire backboard shatters. And the glass is covering your teammates.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Two teammates.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And where are you on the court?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I was not close to the. To there.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So you didn't get hit by the glass?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I didn't get hit, but I saw the hand of Tato Lopez. I saw the. The tendon going back and forth.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Oh, my God.

[Oscar Schmidt]

And Pietro General has a cut here.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Like this on his side, on his right side.

[Oscar Schmidt]

So he took two players of our team, right? I said to him, you are not from the earth. And he respond, you too. And this phrase that he gave it to me, I bring with me my whole life. If the best player, as you all guys say, that Michael Jordan is the best player, said that to me. Come on.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Right?

[Oscar Schmidt]

He knew me.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So the biggest, though, the biggest, most.

[Pablo Torre]

Shattering game that you played in against.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Future NBA stars, Now, this was two years after that game in Italy. It's 1987, it's in the United States, it's Indianapolis, Indiana, and it's the Pan Am Games. And so I want to explain for people, Oscar, the Pan Am Games were a huge deal.

[Narrator]

From the dawn of civilization in the Americas, the spirit of human achievement has inspired feats of monumental proportions. Like the ancient temples they built. The Incas, Aztecs and Mayas embodied strength, discipline and vision. And out of the ruins of this storied past lives a spirit that continues today in the Pan American Games.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

It's basically the Continental Olympics. It's north and South America, Central America, the Caribbean. There's a parade. The whole thing is broadcast on cbs. It's enormous.

[Narrator]

Indianapolis, the capital of Indiana and center stage for the 10th Pan American Games.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And this game, the gold medal game, was held at an actual NBA arena. Of course, it was Market Square Arena. It's where the Pacers played. It sold out.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

They had won 34 straight games. They had, Oscar.

[Oscar Schmidt]

They never lose.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

They never lost in the United States, ever. And so what is your expectation, if you're being honest?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Entering this game as you're with the.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Brazilian, my expectation was lose by 50.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So this team has David Robinson, Danny Manning, Rex Chapman, Purvis, Ellison, all these NBA guys, the biggest stars in college. Right. And do you think they took you seriously?

[Oscar Schmidt]

They didn't took us serious.

[Pablo Torre]

Nobody in America seemed to take them seriously. I mean, the head coach of Team usa, Denny Crum, didn't even remember the leading scorer of Brazil's name, which happened to rhyme with Bhaskar Mitt. And at the opening ceremonies, the CBS broadcast couldn't even name a single opponent, a single country they were worried about.

[Sports Commentator]

In your mind, is there any team that can pose a threat to the U.S. well, I've only seen a couple practice. But in all reality, Vern, this is a very, very strong team. As a matter of fact, I think the contingency that we have here is as strong as the club we had that won the Pan Am gold the last time. And the Olympic Games in la, it's a very strong team.

[Pablo Torre]

But Oscar and Brazil made the gold medal game and immediately proved pretty much everybody right by Going down by almost 30 around this point. The entire American press corps, it turns out, made a pretty memorable decision, which Mike Wilbon, who was there with the Washington Post, confessed to me.

[Mike Wilbon]

The writers, the sports writers covering the game for the biggest newspapers and smallest ones across the United States of America said, that's it. We've been here 23 days or whatever it is. We're packing up and people packed up and they left press row.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

They left.

[Mike Wilbon]

And we went back in the back of the Market Square press room and we talked about the games, about what had happened, about track and field and boxing and basketball. And then somebody rushed into the press room and said, hey, it's down to nine.

[Sports Commentator]

And this game has tightened up considerably. This is the goal medal game in men's basketball. Dick Stockton and Billy Packer. At one time, the USA had a 20 point lead, but Brazil cut it to four moments ago before Willie Anderson stretched it to six. A 134 run by Brazil has tightened this game up, led by the great Oscar Schmidt. And a physical affair at that. Billy.

Well, the game has gotten.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So I want to understand what changed in this game because you guys are down 26 and then suddenly the comeback starts.

[Oscar Schmidt]

One day I was talking with Senna.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Senna, the great F1, F1 Brazilian legend.

[Oscar Schmidt]

And he told me, I talk to God, Oscar. I talk to God too. Talk to God is something that almost perfect right now.

[Sports Commentator]

What we have are one club just as completely an emotional high.

Schmidt with three more, Billy, and it's now a one point game.

United States is going to have to.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Go back to a lineup something extreme. You are in a way that you see the game in slow motion, but you are not in slow motion.

[Sports Commentator]

With a little more than halfway through, Schmidt gives Brazil the lead with a three pointer. He has 28 points. 17 this half.

Oscar is putting on more of a show here, not only with his shooting, but the emotion. He's gonna drain himself here just with his celebrations after the shots.

[Oscar Schmidt]

It's unbelievable. And I had this sensation like almost 30 times.

[Sports Commentator]

Oscar is not no conscious with his eye corner. Don't know anybody I've ever seen that loves to score more than he does.

[Oscar Schmidt]

All the shots I did, I remember everyone.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You, you, you had at least six in the second half. Six threes in the second half.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Six.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

But there are some. I was watching the video, I thought it was seven. I think it was. Maybe it was all seven in the second half.

[Sports Commentator]

Coming back right now, Marcel Sosa. Schmidt hits a three. That's seven three point shots.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Do my accounting But I was watching the video and you're. You're pulling up and no one's there to rebound it.

[Oscar Schmidt]

You're being guarded, of course, because I score like that. All my coaches say like this. Did you see no rebound? I'm saying, yeah, I saw.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

No one was down there.

[Oscar Schmidt]

No one there to pick up, even without anybody at rebound.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

When you're in the second half of the 87 gold medal game, do you remember any particular moment, a favorite shot that you had that you took in the second half?

[Oscar Schmidt]

There was one that I miss. Israel, get the rebound. That was his mission. And call me Oscar.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Come on.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Again.

[Sports Commentator]

Three point attempt again by Smith. Not that time, but the rebound by Andrade. Smith again. Three pointer. Boom.

[Oscar Schmidt]

And I score. There is this shot in the videotape.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

When you watch the video, what becomes clear is that few people in the history of basketball have ever had a more green light to shoot.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Oh, no.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Do you remember one of the things you said after or before making a shot?

[Oscar Schmidt]

No, I. I just screamed with the.

[Sports Commentator]

United States, Oscar with two more. And now it's getting real serious for the United States, Billy, and their efforts to. To retain the gold medal.

These players have to be more shocked than we are.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

When you watch the tape, it is remarkable. You hit a shot and you scream. Yes. Running the other way.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Of course, they must know who is who. Who they are playing against, huh? I was that guy that. No, don't come to. To New Jersey. That's because of national team. And I was playing with my national team.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Wilbon also told me that you guys were. You were like, slapping yourself in the face.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Mike Wilbon]

Oscar Schmidt keeps hitting shots. He's hitting shots and he's slapping his own face on the way back down the court. Backpedaling.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I'm wake. I'm weak. Come on, give him the ball.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You're like, all right, I need it. I'm Oscar Schmidt. You're reminding yourself. He said he had never seen that.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Before in his life. His body. Ask me that. Nobody, even in Brazil, that people that saw the game, Everybody saw that game.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You're telling me it took you again, 1987, 2024. Took you almost 40 years for someone to ask you, why were you slapping yourself in the face during the most pivotal game perhaps international basketball history?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I thought I was sleepy. Come on, man. I'm away.

[Sports Commentator]

Brazil wins the goal. Shocking game.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

The scene of when the buzzer sounds and the final score again. You finished with 46 points. You scored 35 in the second half. It's one of the Greatest comebacks. The most shocking things that's happened in international basketball history. Brazil beats Team USA 120 to 115. And I want to just play that final scene from the game for you because I want you to tell me what you were feeling.

[Oscar Schmidt]

So, Marcel, I dry in the floor crying, because for me, was not possible. What happened here, right?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You fall on the floor, you're crying, crying.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Because when you win something that you're not supposed to win, most of the times you cry. If you are emotional. I was very emotional. And all our players are crying.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Oh, you guys are all falling to the floor. You're on your back, you're yelling. What are you yelling? You're saying something.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yelling. We won. We won the game in Portuguese, which is what. Which was Guyambasamerda.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So what did you prove?

[Oscar Schmidt]

And then.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah.

[Oscar Schmidt]

And they knocked the door of our locker room and said to us, we don't have your anthem after the game.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

The Brazilian national anthem.

[Oscar Schmidt]

We go from here to the airport. No, no, please don't do that. I will try to have your anthem. They take like, 40 minutes to have the anthem ready. And then we go. Was just the beginning of the anthem. And we start to sing without the anthem. That's much more emotional.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

What do you think you proved that day? What did Brazil prove?

[Oscar Schmidt]

That Brazil proved that. But basketball is universal, not just in America. That's the proof that we made in that game.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

This is what Mike Wilbon wrote for the Washington Post. He said this quote, the Americans sat on the bench, stunned, Their faces looking like they'd seen the end of the world.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah, I have a picture of that. And I said, and I'll show you this picture. Looks like they. They died. And there was more. 10 minutes to play.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Right? I do like how you just have this photo that you can look at here. Yeah. That looks like people have seen the end of the world, which means look at the faces.

[Oscar Schmidt]

They're going to lose.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

I did want to show you something. A video that I brought that you have not seen before.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Because somebody that I know is one of the guys on that team, on Team usa, that you beat. And this is a message for you from Rex Chapman.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Whoa.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Okay, you can play it. Just hit. Here we go.

[Rex Chapman]

Oscar Schmidt. It's Rex Chapman. First you and I love you. It's been a long time, man. We were in command of that ball game, if you remember, at halftime. And Oscar Schmidt came out of halftime and put the Brazilian team on your back. You got so hot, you could kick them in and There was nothing that we could do. We lose the game. I've never been in a locker room more. Disappointed, sad, crying. You did a lot of that. Oscar. I love you, buddy. Be proud. What a life. What a career. See ya.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Beautiful.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

He didn't say you at the start.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I love the you because it's with somebody. Say to somebody who beat you. You nice, man. Nice. Real nice.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

In many ways.

[Pablo Torre]

Ways that I in no way appreciated growing up as a kid in the 90s. The most important part of Oscar's story is what happened next. Because after the US lost to Oscar and Brazil, this soccer country in America, this unprecedented humiliation on home soil, Team USA then lost to Arvida Sabotis and the Soviet Union the next year in Korea in the 88 Olympics. And all of this led to a legislative change in 1989 that changed everything forever. Because at long last, FIBA decided to lift its ban on NBA players from international competitions. It was the same band that had made Oscar Schmidt stay abroad in the first place. It was a rule that a panicked America now demanded.

[Oscar Schmidt]

The Dream Team. The finest collection of basketball players ever assembled. Superstars and superheroes playing together on one team for one reason and one reason and only payback. We talk about when we reunite the national team. We talk about the Dream Team.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

What do you say?

[Oscar Schmidt]

It's. It's our fault if we didn't won that game. There is no Dream Team.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Right?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah. Simple like this. And I know this. You can say whatever you want, Mala. I know this. I know that something unbelievable. The Dream Team is playing because our team, Brazilian basketball team.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

This is the embarrassing part for me, Oscar. So I grew up. I was six years old when it was the 92 Olympics in Barcelona. And I fell in love with the NBA because of the Dream Team.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

What I did not realize until reporting your story is how personally responsible you were for the formation of the Dream Team. Of course, because you beat Team usa, that leads to the rule being lifted, which leads to Larry Bird, to the Barcelona Olympics. I mean, it gets to the basketball that became the global game, of course. And. And so all around the world, because of the Dream Team.

[Oscar Schmidt]

A young responsible for the Dream Team.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So a young Pal Gasol, a young Dirk Nowitzki, a young Tony Parker, a young Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo. You're the first domino that results in the Dream Team exporting basketball, which leads to all of the great international players who did the thing that you did not do, which is they Went to the NBA. And so the guy who never set foot in the NBA became responsible for all of the international players who would. And that's a f incredible thing.

[Oscar Schmidt]

They make the June team for what?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

To get revenge on you, on me, on Thabonis?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes. On all the big players that the world had.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

The international guys.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

How dare they come and beat the Americans at their own game? The fact that you're the reason is one of the great, just like, revelations for me as a fan. Did you ever consider when they lifted the rule, when FIBA lifted the rule that said you could play in the NBA and play in the national team?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Did you ever consider going to the NBA at that point? Yes.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah. But I was a little old. I don't play like I did play because I was tough. I was very tough. And I played better than many players in America. So I could play in NBA for sure. Because I had this instinct, the killer instinct, that when you shoot the ball, you know that the ball goes in. And few players have this instinct. And I had it. I used it in Italy, I used it in Spain, and I was very happy. NBA wouldn't change my game, wouldn't change my personality, nothing.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So.

[Oscar Schmidt]

And when I was invited, I think about come. But I did not play like I played years before.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So when the 92 Olympics happen and it's Barcelona and it's magic and Michael and Larry and Charles and all those.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Guys, everyone was there.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

They get their revenge on you. They do.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I know, but it was not the revenge because there were all the best basketball players in the world are playing with us. We don't have that team that could beat the dream team. We have a good team that could beat that college team, but not the dream team from NBA. Michael Jordan. Everyone was there.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

No, I mean, this is why I fell in love with the game, was because I was watching these guys blow. I mean, look, Brazil. You guys lost us 127, 83. You had 24 points in 30 minutes. I was growing up in the United States, son of immigrants from the Philippines who didn't really know sports.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I play in Philippines.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Really?

[Oscar Schmidt]

They have a good basketball.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

We love basketball.

[Oscar Schmidt]

My God, the tournament that Philippines does are incredible.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah, yeah. The fans are everybody.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I love basketball. Philippines.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Pablo Torre]

But I say all of that to.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Just say that the game got exported in the process of them destroying everybody in the Olympics, including you.

[Oscar Schmidt]

We didn't think about this at the moment, but after going the days, the months, the years, we think about it.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And so here's the other domino in this procession. The only reason you were able to play in the Pan AM Games in 1987 was because you didn't go to the Nets and you didn't go to the NBA 40 years ago.

[Oscar Schmidt]

That's what I think at the time.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You saw this all coming. You said to yourself, if I, Oscar Schmidt, go to the nets as a 6th round pick, the Dream Team in 1992 will never be formed. Basketball will never be the same again.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I was not that profound. But when we won that game that.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You said, I'm so glad that I was able to do this, never went over there.

[Oscar Schmidt]

That was an unbelievable thing that happens in basketball.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Your decision in 84 to not go to the NBA is the first domino.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

That sets into motion everything we've been talking about.

[Oscar Schmidt]

You discover everything.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

I try to find out some stuff.

[Oscar Schmidt]

You can say. You're a good reporter.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Oscar Schmidt. Put that on the movie poster. Put it on the podcast poster. Pablo Torre finds out. I want to ask you about just the present tense now, because you watch basketball, you alluded to this, but when you were playing basketball again, nobody was playing like you in the NBA. And so when you watch the NBA Today in 2024, Oscar, what do you see?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I look for Luka Dontich, I look for Jokic. I look for all the foreign players. Much more than American players. Because they are better than American players. They are much better. If you look Jokic, Jogan playing this guy is going to win the third time.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

The best player, another guy who can't really jump, but can shoot and pass.

[Oscar Schmidt]

But can shoot can do anything he want. He's a guy that I don't know because he already did a few games that he didn't make triple double. But was the guy to make triple double on median?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yes, yes. Averaging a triple double.

[Oscar Schmidt]

He's unbelievable. One day I saw him was shooting, passed the ball behind him. That's not super relevant to an NBA game.

[Sports Commentator]

But how about Jokic with an incredible pass?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah, I saw that one. I saw that play. But even. But what's crazy is that even the Americans play like you. That's the thing.

[Oscar Schmidt]

If you don't shoot from trees, you don't win anymore.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So I'm watching Steph Curry. I'm watching Damian Lillard. Everybody plays like Oscar Chabet.

[Oscar Schmidt]

He's playing his friend Thompson.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Oh, Klay Thompson.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Oh, he's unbelievable. He's the guy that I admire more.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Really? Clay, you like clay the most?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Oh, of course, he shot. It's always the Same. If he shoots from two, it's the same as he shoots from three. Same shot.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You know what? Now that you mention it, it reminds me of watching you because there is. The mechanics are always, always.

[Oscar Schmidt]

He's faking the guy.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Next shot will be right.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And even the shot being overhead.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes. That's why I like him very much.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Do you feel like the players in the NBA know your story?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Many knows. My many don't know. And I feel this in the air.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

What does it feel like to you?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I feel like you don't know me. Okay, no problem. Go, go with your team. I. I don't get upset about this, but I see.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah. Well, I think there's a key thing which even, even this story. Right. I'm trying to tell it to people and I think that the first impression that they have is but this guy never played in the NBA.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Never played. I never played in the NBA because I didn't want it.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And so describe just that part of this story. The idea that your entire life you've had to sort of remind people that even though you never played in the NBA, you still have a story worth hearing.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I will say what camera here.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Okay, let's pick that one right in the middle.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Okay. I never play in NBA because I didn't want to play in NBA because New Jersey Nets drafted me at 6 round choice 131. That's why I never play in the NBA, because I get offended with that. You, you too.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

The reason you're back in the news lately though is because you have this record, the all time points record, which again is 49,000 and how many?

[Oscar Schmidt]

737.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

737. So LeBron James is about to pass you. It's just a matter of time. Yes, he's on pace to do it. He may be doing it as we're talking right now, I don't know. Are you watching LeBron?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I love the way he plays because he's a good basketball player. He shoots from three. Every dunk he does looks like you're seeing a concourse of dunking team. So he make assist. He is a perfect player.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Do you care about your record being broken?

[Oscar Schmidt]

No. Because as you do in this every journalist that I talk, people ask me what do you care about LeBron James? I'm no records are made to be broken. So broke as fast as he wants.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You're different players, but you also have had similar goals. It seems like because not just being the all time leading scorer in the history of basketball on planet Earth, but you Guys have also. I mean, you retired at what age?

[Oscar Schmidt]

45. I was persistent.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

I've noticed. I've noticed this about you, Oscar, on this couch. Your persistence is a definite quality. You have.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah, yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Do you have any advice for LeBron James as he tries to be.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Keep playing the way you were playing. You broke my record. Soon you listen, LeBron. Go like this, you'll be the first one in the world.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

2017, you're playing the Celebrity All Star Game in New Orleans. I have never seen this before until I saw it. An actual hall of Famer.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Playing next to, like, Ansel Elgort.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Come on.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Did you know any of your teammates?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I didn't know anybody, but I could play the whole game because I practice one month every day to go to that game.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And so what is your review of your performance in the 2017 Celebrity All Star?

[Oscar Schmidt]

If I play the whole game, I will be the best of the game because I score. And the basketball game, first thing, you must score. Basketball is not made for good defensers. It's made for good offensive plays.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

And so you took two shots.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Two shots. Come on. How will be the best of the game with two shots?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You were 2 for 2.

[Oscar Schmidt]

If I shot 10, would be 10 for 10.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

So now you're 66.

[Oscar Schmidt]

66, is that right? Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Do you still play?

[Oscar Schmidt]

No. No. Because I get fat a little bit, so I won't do the same thing.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You look great, Oscar. You look great.

[Oscar Schmidt]

But I don't play like I played before.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You don't even shoot anymore?

[Oscar Schmidt]

No, nothing. I play soccer. I don't know if you play. If you want to play in my team. I don't know. I might see you playing before.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You're scouting now?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Here's. Okay, here's my scouting report. I don't play defense.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Don't play defense in soccer.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Yeah.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Okay, you're forgiven because I don't play defense, too. But if the guy crossed the ball, boom, I. My head is like my third leg.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Something that I noticed, I was looking through. You have a YouTube channel also, and I want to point this out. You spend time in America. We're here in Orlando. You spend some time here and talking to you and watching some of the videos you've been making in your free time. You seem incredibly American now.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You sometimes are wearing NFL jerseys. You're giving, like, opinions takes about the NFL.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Well, it's an opinion. I watch NFL a lot. Wow. Wow. Ravens for Campion's NFL Super Bowl.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Do you feel like an American now?

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes. Much more than most Americans. Because first thinkers here in Orlando has Disney and a fan of Disney.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Something that I've realized, something I found out today, is that you love Disney.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I love Disney. And the best thing, you go to Epcot center, sit on a bench and watch the people growing there growing. The best sneakers that I see in the world. People don't play, but have the best sneaker.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

This is the most American ever, by the way. You wear an NFL jersey and you give takes into your computer camera. You go to Disney World and you sit at Epcot center and you judge all of the people wandering around. It's a small.

[Oscar Schmidt]

I'm a good judger.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

One last question is what is your greatest joy from your career?

[Oscar Schmidt]

My greatest joy was beat the Americans at the Pan Am games. That opened the doors for the the pros playing every time. And I was a pro, and I could not play for NBA. I could not play in my national team. Come on, man.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

If that rule did not exist, what would Oscar Schmidt's NBA career have been like?

[Oscar Schmidt]

I would be top 10, sure that I'll be top 10. Me, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and all the rest that play in the Dream Team. If that guy, Big guy. What's the name of that big guy?

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

You'll have to be a little more specific.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Oscar Akeliki Zhogunlu Dream Team.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

No, no, no, no, no. Laitner.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Leitner. If he plays in the Dream Team, I could play in the Dream Team, too. Come on. He goes there to pass the ball. Shoot something.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Come on, MAN on Christian Laettner is another deeply American activity.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yes, of course.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Oscar Schmidt. The reason. It turns out that I fell in love with basketball.

[Oscar Schmidt]

Yeah.

[Interviewer (likely Pablo Torre)]

Thank you for your time. Thank you for this couch.

[Oscar Schmidt]

The reason. Oh, my man. Thank you so much, man.

[Pablo Torre]

This has been Pablo Torre Finds Out a Meadowlark Media production and I'll talk to you next time.