2004 was a dark moment for USA Basketball, as the team only managed to win the bronze medal at that year’s Olympic games, even though it was led by a young LeBron James.
Change was needed, and for the 2008 Olympics, head coach Mike Krzyzewski was brought in, as was Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
Back in those days, James was chasing Bryant, as the latter was considered the best basketball player in the world, and there was mild concern that perhaps there would be too much ego on Team USA.
But according to Krzyzewski, via The Athletic, there were “never any problems” between the two and they were never jealous of one another; in fact, he said the two had a “genuine” bond.
What happens when you put two of the greatest players ever on the same team?
A bond that transcends basketball, according to Coach K. pic.twitter.com/g4dm60Y2yw
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 18, 2023
In 2008, Bryant was on top of his game, as he had led the Lakers to the NBA Finals for the fifth time in his career and had just earned his first regular-season MVP.
While he already had three championship rings, James had none, and the Akron, Ohio native still had a lot to learn both on and off the court.
Bryant became the leader of Team USA, and it was his clutch heroics that allowed the squad to hold off Spain, which was led by his Laker teammate Pau Gasol, and bring home a gold medal.
Four years later in London, the aging Bryant graciously took a step back, allowing it to be James’ turn to lead the Americans.
This time around, James was hitting his stride, as he had just won his first NBA title, and he helped Team USA win the gold once more.
The sight of Bryant and James teaming up to represent our nation evoked memories of 1992’s Dream Team, when Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Larry Bird shared the court while putting their egos aside for the sake of their patriotism.
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