Latest news with #RedeemTeam
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
From Dream Team to Redeem Team: How Michael Jordan and LeBron James transformed US Olympics basketball
via Getty Images: Michael Jordan led Dream Team and LeBron James led Redeem Team The evolution of U.S. Olympic basketball is a tale of dominance, redemption, and transformation of two iconic teams: the 1992 Dream Team, led by Michael Jordan , and the 2008 Redeem Team, spearheaded by LeBron James . These squads redefined international basketball, showcasing how two generational talents reshaped Team USA's legacy on the global stage. The tale of the 1992 Dream Team In 1992, the Barcelona Olympics marked a seismic shift in basketball. For the first time, NBA professionals were allowed to compete, and the U.S. assembled the Dream Team, a roster featuring Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and other legends. Jordan, at the peak of his powers, was the centerpiece. His global fame, fueled by his NBA success and the Air Jordan brand, turned the team into a cultural phenomenon. The Dream Team didn't just win; they dominated, cruising to gold with an average margin of victory of 43.8 points. Their games were spectacles, drawing massive crowds and global attention. Jordan's leadership and charisma elevated basketball's international profile, inspiring a generation of players worldwide. The Dream Team's legacy was not just victory but globalization—basketball became a universal language, with the NBA's reach expanding exponentially. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The Best of the Dream Team at the Barcelona 92 Olympics | Throwback Thursday A dip in the 2004 Athens Olympics However, by the early 2000s, the U.S.'s grip on Olympic basketball weakened. The 2004 Athens team, plagued by poor chemistry and a lack of star power, settled for bronze—a national embarrassment. The world had caught up, with countries like Argentina and Spain fielding cohesive, skilled rosters. Enter LeBron James and the 2008 Redeem Team, a squad built to restore American pride. Redemption by the 2008 Team LeBron, then 23, was emerging as the NBA's next great superstar. Alongside Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, and Carmelo Anthony, he brought new energy to Team USA. Unlike the Dream Team's effortless dominance, the Redeem Team faced stiffer competition, including a tough final against Spain. LeBron's versatility—scoring, defending, and facilitating—proved critical. His leadership, paired with Kobe's clutch heroics, secured gold in Beijing, reasserting U.S. dominance. His all-around play—evident in his 15.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game in Beijing—set a new standard for U.S. Olympic stars. The transformation from Dream Team to Redeem Team reflects a shift in approach. Jordan's era was about overwhelming talent and star power; the Dream Team's opponents were often outmatched before tip-off. The Dream Team globalized basketball, paving the way for international stars like Dirk Nowitzki and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The Redeem Team, however, restored U.S. credibility, sparking a run of four straight Olympic golds. Jordan's charisma made basketball a global spectacle; LeBron's versatility and leadership adapted it to a more competitive world. Together, they transformed Team USA, cementing basketball's place as a cornerstone of the Olympic stage. Also read: Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
07-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Team USA's 2008 gold-medal-winning 'Redeem Team' has made Hall of Fame
Team USA's 2008 gold-medal-winning 'Redeem Team' has made Hall of Fame A roster of @NBA All-Stars led by Hall of Fame Coach Mike Krzyzewski restored USA Basketball dominance in Beijing. 8-0 and a gold-medal win over Spain. #25HoopClass inductee the 2008 US Men's Olympic team. — Basketball HOF (@Hoophall) April 5, 2025 In the summer of 2004, Team USA men's basketball hit a low point when it came away with only the bronze medal in the Olympics. That disappointing finish sparked a revamping of the program, which brought late Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant into the fold. To that point, Bryant had never represented the United States in the Olympics. But he did just that in 2008, and he was the main difference as the Stars and Stripes cruised to the gold medal that summer. That Olympic squad, which was dubbed the "Redeem Team," also featured LeBron James and former Lakers players Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony. That team has been voted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame along with Howard and Anthony. Team USA claimed its gold medal in August 2008 by defeating a Spain team led by Bryant's Lakers teammate Pau Gasol in the final round by a final score of 118-107. Bryant hit multiple big shots in a closely contested fourth quarter and finished the game with 20 points and six assists. James and Anthony added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atlanta's Dwight Howard among group headed to Basketball Hall of Fame
Atlanta native Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice. And LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that's headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end. Anthony and Howard were announced Saturday as members of the Class of 2025, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team that they played on — dubbed the 'Redeem Team,' the one that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a still-going run of five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball's men's program. Advertisement Howard, nicknamed 'Superman,' spent his high school career at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He was drafted by the Orlando Magic and played there from 2004 to 2012. He played with the Atlanta Hawks from 2016 to 2017 and also spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers, Houston Rockets, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards, and Philadelphia 76ers. Also selected for enshrinement: WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore, and Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Bulls coach and two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford. Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. Advertisement [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] 'When the call comes and in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone,' Anthony said on the televised announcement. 'You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and you hear, 'You're in.' And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders.' 'For some, this is an individual honor,' Arison said. 'But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family — players, coaches, staff and fans — have built together.' The Redeem Team's selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant — already enshrined as Hall of Famers — essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince. Advertisement The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball's place atop the world stage after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points. 'USA Basketball is thrilled to see the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame,' USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. 'The Redeem Team's celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men's Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals.' UConn's women's program already had coach Geno Auriemma, Swin Cash (enshrined as a player) and Rebecca Lobo (enshrined as a contributor) in the Hall of Fame, and Bird and Moore going in together will obviously add to what's always a huge weekend in New England. 'They're hall of famers for me, they're hall of famers for their family, they're hall of famers for everybody — they're even hall of famers for UConn haters,' Auriemma said. 'That's one thing they can all agree on.' Advertisement ___ TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Fox News
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird highlight Basketball Hall of Fame class
Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard are going into the Basketball Hall of Fame later this year, not once but twice, and LeBron James and Chris Paul are part of the group that's headed to the Hall as well, even before their playing careers end. Anthony and Howard were announced as members of the Class of 2025 on Saturday, as was the 2008 U.S. Olympic men's basketball team they played on — dubbed the "Redeem Team," the one that captured gold at the Beijing Games and started a still-going run of five consecutive Olympic titles and counting for USA Basketball's men's program. Also selected for enshrinement: WNBA greats Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles, Chicago Bulls coach and two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan, Miami Heat managing general partner Micky Arison and longtime NBA referee Danny Crawford. "I made it to the real basketball heaven," Howard said. Enshrinement weekend is Sept. 5-6 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, and the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. "When the call comes and, in my case, I saw Springfield on the phone," Anthony said on the televised announcement. "You know what time it is Springfield is on the phone. You know who it is. You get the phone call and you hear, 'You're in.' And I think for me, it was a burden off of my shoulders." Donovan won back-to-back titles as a college coach with Florida. Arison oversaw Miami's path to NBA titles in 2006, 2012 and 2013. Crawford worked NBA games for 32 seasons and was picked to work the NBA Finals in 23 of those years. "For some, this is an individual honor," Arison said. "But for me, this speaks to what our entire Heat family — players, coaches, staff and fans — have built together." Combined, the five players selected as individuals – Bird, Moore, Fowles, Howard and Anthony – were part of 11 WNBA or NBA championship teams, won 15 Olympic gold medals, made 37 All-NBA or All-WNBA appearances and were named as All-Stars 45 times in their careers. "Surreal," Bird said of her selection. "I don't think there's any way to really wrap your head around it." Added Fowles: "I don't think [any] one of us go into this thinking that we're going to be Hall of Famers. You just do your job ... and when it's all said and done, the job is complete and here we are." The Redeem Team's selection means that Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant — already enshrined as Hall of Famers — essentially now go in for a second time. James and Paul, who are obviously both locks to get into the Hall after they retire, also played for that Olympic team, as did Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Tayshaun Prince. The Redeem Team had that moniker because it was the team tasked with restoring USA Basketball's place atop the world stage, after the 2004 Olympic team only managed a bronze medal at the Athens Games. The Redeem Team went 8-0 in Beijing, winning those games by an average of 27.9 points. "USA Basketball is thrilled to see the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame," USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. "The Redeem Team's celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men's Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals. "Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, members of that team and individual inductees, are two of the many legends in this Class who have contributed to our organization's success over the last 20-plus years, including Sue Bird, Billy Donovan, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles," Tooley added. UConn's women's program already had coach Geno Auriemma, Swin Cash (enshrined as a player) and Rebecca Lobo (enshrined as a contributor) in the Hall of Fame, and Bird and Moore going in together will obviously add to what's always a huge weekend in New England. "They're hall of famers for me, they're hall of famers for their family, they're hall of famers for everybody — they're even hall of famers for UConn haters," Auriemma said. "That's one thing they can all agree on." Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mike Krzyzewski honored as 2008 Olympic men's team inducted into 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame
The Redeem Team is officially in the Naismith Hall of Fame. The 2008 men's Olympic basketball team, led by then-Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, was among the inductees for the Naismith Hall of Fame Class of 2025 released on Saturday. Advertisement The 2008 men's Olympic basketball team earned the moniker "Redeem Team" after an underperformance at the 2004 Athens Games with a bronze medal. The Krzyzewski-coached team bounced back to win the gold medal in 2008. The US won its first seven games by at least 20 points and defeated Spain 118-107 in the gold medal game. REQUIRED READING: Duke basketball brings Justin Robinson back home to San Antonio for Final Four It featured Kobe Bryant as a captain, but also featured LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard. Both Anthony and Howard were also inducted individually into the Hall of Fame. 'USA Basketball is thrilled to see the 2008 U.S. Men's Olympic Team elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. The Redeem Team's celebrated run in Beijing marks a pivotal moment in U.S. men's Olympic basketball history and has propelled us to five straight gold medals," said USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley. Advertisement "Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, members of that team and individual inductees, are two of the many legends in this Class who have contributed to our organization's success over the last 20+ years, including Sue Bird, Billy Donovan, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and we look forward to celebrating you in Springfield." James is still currently in the NBA, while Bryant was inducted in 2020 and Wade in 2023. Krzyzewski ― affectionately known as Coach K ― was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. Who was on the 2008 Redeem Team? The Redeem Team had some of the sport's eminent names, with the oft-discussed 2003 draft class getting heavy representation. Here's a look at the full roster: Advertisement 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame class Billy Donovan Carmelo Anthony Dwight Howard Sue Bird Maya Moore Danny Crawford Sylvia Fowles Micky Arison 2008 US Men's Olympic Team This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: 2008 US Olympic men's team inducted into 2025 Naismith Hall of Fame
