- Team USA looking for answers after tournament loss
- LeBron James expected to recruit top talent for 2024 Olympics
- The Redeem Team 2.0 is the perfect path for Team USA
Stephen A. Smith couldn’t hide his disappointment after Team USA’s bitter defeat in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. Like the rest of America, he found himself completely shocked by the country’s poor showing, but it has left the door open for a crazy redemption arc.
During a segment on his self-titled podcast, Stephen A. reflected on the current state of USA Basketball and what their loss this year could be setting up for the 2024 Olympic Games: “This team fell to Canada! Team Canada was led by Dillon Brooks of the Memphis Grizzlies… that brother dropped 39! It gives credence to what Noah Lyles said just a few weeks ago. So when LeBron James says what he says, that’s a beautiful thing because that’s exactly what’s needed. Get Steph Curry by the way, get Kevin Durant by the way, get Klay Thompson by the way. Get a Kyrie Irving by the way. You got to get back to the Dream Team and the Redeem Team. We gotta bust people’s a**es.”
LeBron James is coming for Dillon Brooks pic.twitter.com/16kcSd2kTx
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) September 13, 2023
Team USA finished 4th place in the World Cup this year, suffering two losses at the hands of Germany and Canada that ultimately cut their FIBA run short. It’s the second straight instance that Team USA failed to bring home the gold and many fans are taking it as a sign that times are changing for the international basketball scene.
But it’s important to remember that Team USA has been in this position before. Going back to the summer of 2008, Team USA rallied to gold after an embarrassing finish in the previous year. The question is, can they bounce back once again and make things right like they did so many years ago?
What Was The Redeem Team?
The ‘Redeem Team’ is the iconic name given to the 2008 USA Basketball team. At the time, the U.S. was still reeling from their showing in 2004, when they won the bronze after suffering three separate losses. One of those losses, to Puerto Rico by 19 points, still stands as the largest margin of defeat ever for the U.S. in the Olympics.
By 2008, Team USA was ready to make amends for their failures of the past. Naming Kobe Bryant as team captain and the legendary Mike Krzyzewski as head coach, they set the tone from the very beginning and were able to win the gold with an elite roster of stars that included LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Carmelo Anthony.
There are plenty of differences between modern times and the situation in 2008, but if Team USA can respond in a similar way to the legendary “Redeem Team,” nobody will be complaining. Fortunately, the signs are looking positive already with reported commitments to come from LeBron James and other top-tier stars.
Star-Studded Lineup Expected For USA In 2024
Arguably the biggest problem with Team USA this year was the lack of star power. In previous years, we’ve seen the best and brightest show up to represent the USA, but participation has dwindled nationwide over the past few years.
As a result, the country’s dominance became harder to maintain and we saw other countries start to catch up. This summer, with a roster of fringe stars and modest role-players, the US didn’t even place in the top three… but that can easily change with a more elite lineup.
According to various sources, LeBron James is ready to sign up for the 2024 Olympic Games, and it could mean that other superstars follow him. If that’s the case, it may as well be a wrap for the rest of the world.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
