What is “The Other Dream Team” about? Taking a closer look at the documentary featuring Jonas Valanciunas and Arvydas Sabonis

Most basketball fans are familiar with the “Dream Team,” but what about the "The Other Dream Team." The 1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team, aka The Dream Team, featured Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, among others.

The Dream Team’s historic Olympic gold medal run also led to multiple well-known documentaries. However, not as many fans are familiar with the documentary titled “The Other Dream Team,” which documents a different country's redemption.

The Other Dream Team, released in 2012 and directed by Marius A. Markevicius, tells the moving story of the 1992 Lithuanian men's Olympic basketball team. This was the year that Lithuania beat the odds to win the bronze medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

The documentary doesn’t just focus on basketball, though, as it also provides historical insight into what Lithuania was facing as a country at the time. This includes the fall of the Soviet Union, which allowed Lithuania to regain its independence and compete in the Olympics as an independent country.

Multiple Lithuanian basketball players, including eventual NBA players Arvydas Sabonis and Sarunas Marciulionis, had previously played for the Soviet Union at the 1988 Olympics. So it was obviously a big deal for them to be able to represent their country in 1992.

However, after regaining their independence, the Lithuanian team had very limited finances for the 1992 Olympics. Their trip was eventually funded by American rock band the Grateful Dead, who were inspired by their story.

When it came to their matchup with the actual “Dream Team” in the semifinals, Lithuania didn’t stand much of a chance. They ended up losing 127-76 before winning the bronze medal game 82-78 against the “Unified Team,” made up of former Soviet Union states.

The iconic game symbolized Lithuania fighting for its freedom and recognition as a country. It also became the basis for "The Other Dream Team" documentary.

Jonas Valanciunas’ connection with “The Other Dream Team”

Jonas Valanciunas at the 2011 NBA draft.

"The Other Dream Team" documentary includes many interviews with prominent basketball figures of the time, including Arvydas Sabonis, David Stern, Bill Walton, and Sarunas Marciulionis.

However, it also features former up-and-coming Lithuanian basketball player Jonas Valanciunas in the lead-up to the 2011 NBA draft. The documentary shows how Valanciunas’ success was the result of what his parents fought for.

The documentary even meant so much to Valanciunas that he traveled with director Marius A. Markevicius to introduce the film in Toronto.

Jonas Valanciunas has since gone on to have a very productive 11-year career for the Toronto Raptors, Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans. Valanciunas currently has career averages of 13.4 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1 block on 56.2% shooting over 699 games. This makes him one of the most successful Lithuanian NBA players of all time.