LeBron James’ NSFW Message To Kobe Bryant During 2008 Olympics

LeBron James was ready to motivate Kobe Bryant at all costs during the 2008 Olympics, including cussing at the Mamba.

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Credit: Fadeaway World

• LeBron James wanted to motivate Kobe Bryant at all costs during the 2008 Olympics

• Clear audio of on-court interactions between Kobe and LeBron from the ’08 Olympics have leaked 

• James was cursing at Kobe but only to keep the Black Mamba focused on his strengths

The 2008 Olympics led to the blossoming of a friendship between LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, as the Mamba took James under his wing and mentored him during the competition. 

Even though Kobe was the big brother in this pairing, James wasn’t going to let Kobe get away with sloppy play on the court, as evidenced by this recently leaked audio of James yelling at Kobe to clean up his shot selection during a game. 

“Watch the shots that you’re taking motherf*cker. Drive that b*tch!” 

From what we know about Kobe’s mentality, he probably appreciated that. He rarely had teammates who called him out, primarily because they could never outwork him at anything. LeBron was Kobe’s on-court equal and let the star know that he couldn’t falter when the country needed him most.

The ’08 Team USA roster walked their way to an easy Gold medal after the disappointment of the 2004 Olympics. 


The 2008 Olympics Was Team USA’s Redemption

The 2008 Olympic roster for Team USA was carefully picked out. After most legitimate NBA stars declined to go for the 2004 Olympics, forcing Team USA to send rookies like LeBron and Carmelo Anthony to win Gold. That failed, as they just brought home the Bronze in a humiliating moment for USA Basketball. Naturally, they were going to come with a vengeance in 2008.

The team was carefully chosen, even involving the inputs of Team USA legends like Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Jerry West, and more. The core of the team was formed by Kobe and LeBron, who were joined by Carmelo, Dwyane Wade, Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and Chris Bosh, among others.

Kobe was the heart of the team and was in a locker room filled mostly with players who idolized him. Players like Carmelo would take the LeBron route of motivating Kobe by telling him harsh truths on the court. This all culminated in a beautiful Olympic run for a team that’s since come to be known as ‘The Redeem Team’ and often compared to the 1992 Dream Team.


LeBron James Never Shies Away From Responsibility

Whether you love him or hate him, what LeBron has achieved in the NBA is undeniable. The respect he commands from fellow players, especially the next generation that is entering the league, is quite incredible. Everyone understands that James is a pillar of modern basketball, even if his argument for GOAT will always be scrutinized in comparison to Michael Jordan.

James has averaged 27.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 7.3 assists over 20 years while making 19 All-NBA Teams and 19 All-Star teams. That is an incredible track record for the player with the greatest longevity the league has ever seen. 

The all-time scoring leader is also a four-time champion who won Finals MVP for every single one of his title wins. He’s also a four-time regular season MVP, though many argue he should’ve won more.

LeBron has always been willing to lead from the front, both on and off the court. We’ve seen his leadership in moments like this clip with Kobe or in moments when he’s leading the Lakers to win in the Orlando bubble, something players were calling prison. His resume is undeniable, and he’s one of the greatest to ever do it.

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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher ReportYahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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