One must fail to succeed… For Team USA Men’s basketball in 2008,
there was “redemption” involved. The road to gold was going to be
tough; no shortcuts would be acceptable in many eyes of fans. To
understand how Team USA managed to embarrass itself in 2004, you’d
know why “redemption” became a moniker.
2004 Olympics brought a halt to dominance in basketball; with young
stars LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Carmelo Anthony, they weren’t
mature enough to handle the responsibilities in winning a gold medal.
Two years later, the FIBA team was ousted as well in disappointing
fashion. When the sport’s best players aren’t winning, change had to be
made. Enter 2008, the late-great Kobe Bryant was named team captain
as former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski set out on a mission to
restore order.
The tone and message was sent early on as Bryant led by example.
While guys were out enjoying the scenery, he was in the gym. Working
and putting all he had to lead USA. LeBron James, Dwayne Wade,
Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Deron Williams, Michael
Redd, Dwight Howard, Carlos Boozer, Jason Kidd, Tayshaun Prince all
had to adjust their priorities. It became about perfection, communication, exhausting your body in playing to Bryant’s level. If you’ve watched him play during the mid 2000s, work ethics start in the offseason. You can say guys were a little skeptical, but they followed Bryant’s routine. As Anthony said in the Netflix documentary: “I’m not waking up at 4am and working out!” If you wanted to play with Bryant, mediocrity wasn’t an option.
As the team prepared for group play, a bond was developed. Practices
were tense but between whistles, guys would chirp with one another.
Bryant was the eyes and ears in executing Coach K’s gameplans. Even
he had to adjust for the goal of winning gold. Taking insight from
Krzyzewski to put guys in their spots and be a defensive player, while
being an offensive prowess in clutch moments. It was a match in
basketball heaven; the right team, mindset and sacrificing for the
betterment.
It was during the gold medal game against Spain, who fell in the same
group as USA; Bryant set a hard screen against Los Angeles Lakers
teammate Pau Gasol. Team USA was shocked, but they knew: “Kobe
isn’t messing around!” Back and forth both teams went; hitting shot
after shot… The dagger and iconic photo of Bryant hitting a three and
striking the silencer poise with one finger, you could feel the shifting of
momentum as USA wasn’t backing down. As USA pulled away late,
winning 118-107 over Spain.
Capturing gold and restoring order in USA Olympic basketball. You can argue the 2008 team would go toe to toe with their 1992 “Dream Team.” In the end, Kobe Bryant had to show guys how to become winners. It was his leadership, dedication,
commitment to excellence in film study, workout sessions, practices
and in-game play calling propelled Team USA to being dominant. There
were no excuses, shortcuts, or failure in winning gold. Learning from a
peak and primed Kobe Bryant was what Team USA needed in winning.
We can debate another moment in time as to what team would beat
who in 1992 versus 2008. Nevertheless, the “Redeem Team” cemented
their greatness to winning gold in Beijing.
