Dwight Howard thinks very highly of his time with Team USA in 2008. In a recent interview with Gilbert Arenas, Dwight Howard discussed his stint with the Redeem Team and claimed that the strength of that roster would be able to defeat the 2024 Team USA roster if they ever played in a 7-game series.
“I’m going with our team (in a 7-game series). We got a prime Kobe, we got young Bron, we got bald-head D-Wade… Talking about Bron at 23? I’m 22? Melo at 24? Bosh at 24?… Wade at 26? Boozer was going crazy!”
Dwight Howard says the 2008 Redeem Team would beat the 2024 Avengers in a 7-game series 👀
(🎥 @GilsArenaShow )
pic.twitter.com/XKo7ippMAr
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 2, 2024
Dwight Howard is undoubtedly biased towards the Redeem Team, as he was part of the roster that dominated the competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and secured the gold medal. It was an embarrassment of riches when one considers the roster that they boasted.
Players like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, and Carlos Boozer delivered at a high level for Team USA and made quick work of the competition.
As for the 2024 Team USA roster, there are no slouches. Boasting LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, past their prime but still playing at the highest level, they were able to deliver a run for the ages, as they defeated every team put in front of them to win the gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
It would be an interesting hypothetical series, as one can imagine that the Redeem Team would have the advantage as they had a younger LeBron James who was far more athletic than the LeBron James of today. And even Kobe Bryant, who was one of the veterans on the team, was just in his early 30s.
Carmelo Anthony Said 2024 Team USA Had Tougher Competition
Not everyone feels the same way as Dwight Howard. Carmelo Anthony, who was also on the Redeem Team, recently claimed that the 2024 Team USA roster faced far stiffer competition than any of his four Olympic teams did. Melo played and won medals at four different Olympic games, so for him to say that is really significant.
There is no point in comparing the two teams and the competition they faced, as they played significantly different teams. While Team USA in 2008 had a far stronger and younger roster, they didn’t face the kind of international competition that Team USA in the 2024 Olympics did.
It is a testament to the quality of the players on this 2024 Team USA roster that despite their age and the stiff competition, they dominated the competition and brought home the gold medal at the games. It was a tough set of fixtures for them, and aside from a few scary moments, Team USA was by far the best team at the tournament.
Which of the two sides would win in a 7-game series? It is hard to say, but there is no denying that both rosters are two of the best that USA Basketball has put together in their history.
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