The USA men’s basketball team for the Olympics, or the ‘Redeem Team’, if you will, didn’t have losing as an option in Beijing in 2008. Team USA had swept everything before them since the inclusion of NBA players in the Olympic competition, beginning with the ‘Dream Team’ in Barcelona in 1992.
Their reign ended in Athens in 2004 and thus the formation of the Redeem Team. There is no doubt that Team USA of 2008 was the most dominant, but who was the best player on that team?
Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwayne Wade are the names that come to mind. By every objective standard, LeBron James has surpassed Kobe and every other Team USA player for the title of “best in the world” all over—and by a wide margin. So was LBJ the best player? Some fans think otherwise. Dwayne Wade, was named the best sixth man in the 2008 Olympics. That feat alone opens the case for Wade.
After easily defeating Australia in the quarterfinals behind a 25-point performance by Kobe, the US played Argentina in the semis. Despite a stern test against Argentina, the “Redeem Team” advanced to the gold-medal match against Spain.
The Americans’ commitment was certainly put to the test here. Both LeBron and Kobe were called for fouls early on, and it appeared that Spain had a chance. But then came Dwayne Wade, who had a huge game with 28 points and helped keep Spain at bay in the first half. That team, thanks to Wade, ultimately bagged the gold.
Dwayne Wade became the leading scorer despite being the sixth man
Wade led a slew of underappreciated performances, averaging 16 points in 19 minutes, and wreaked havoc in transition, when “we’d just throw him lobs right and left,” said Tayshaun Prince.
“As a sixth man or someone coming off the bench, I don’t think anyone did that better in my five [Team USA] championships than Dwyane Wade,” said head coach Mike Krzyzewski. “He kind of set the example for that during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.”
Kobe Bryant decisively imprinted his mark on the sport of basketball at the 2008 Olympics with a clutch performance for the ages in the Finals. Wade’s heroics overshadowed the fact that he was Team USA’s leading scorer at the 2008 Olympics, with 128 points. In the 2008 Olympics, he averaged 16 points per game, compared to 7.3 points per game in the 2004 Olympics.
Wade’s health was undoubtedly the most concerning factor leading up to the Olympics. But he had reverted to his former self. Wade had not only been a scoring danger, but he had also played outstanding defence. The scoring leader is still unsung for his magnificent performance on the biggest stage of any sport.