2008 Redeem Team didnt want LeBron

JP333 · 06-07-2025, 11:20 AM

Was surprised to hear this. Interesting.

"Behind the scenes, officials had taken to calling James' inner circle, 'The Enablers.' No one ever told him to grow up," Woj added. "No one ever challenged him. And yet, James was still a powerful pull for his teammates, and everyone had to agree they could no longer let his bossy and belittling act go unchecked. These weren't the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Team USA wasn't beholden to him."

Team USA doesn't need LeBron if Kobe's there

Due to the potential complications that could arise from including LeBron in the lineup, Team USA was prepared to exclude him entirely from their plans. The team felt assured that Kobe Bryant, who was coming off his MVP season that year, would serve as the ideal leader for their squad.

hermanotarjeta · 06-07-2025, 11:35 AM

Not a surprise.

He’s been a crippler since entering the NBA.

asujbl · 06-07-2025, 11:38 AM

LeBron was significantly better than Kobe during those Olympics

So that’s a thing

tjforce · 06-07-2025, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

LeBron was significantly better than Kobe during those Olympics

So that’s a thing

Can't blame Kobe for wanting the spotlight back after he couldn't play on the 2004 Olympic team...

You know... because of the Rape thing still looming over him.

hermanotarjeta · 06-07-2025, 11:50 AM

The 2004 Olympics team failed to win the gold with LeBron.

Kobe was recovering from injuries and wasn’t on the roster.

The fear was that a LeBron-lead team would settle with a bronze metal again.

asujbl · 06-07-2025, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjforce

Can't blame Kobe for wanting the spotlight back after he couldn't play on the 2004 Olympic team...

You know... because of the Rape thing still looming over him.

Well yeah… but LeBron was a 24 year old bully

Whats really worse?

JP333 · 06-07-2025, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

LeBron was significantly better than Kobe during those Olympics

So that’s a thing

Um...what? Kobe and Dwade were the reason they won to my recollection

asujbl · 06-07-2025, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

The 2004 Olympics team failed to win the gold with LeBron.

Kobe was recovering from injuries and wasn’t on the roster.

The fear was that a LeBron-lead team would settle with a bronze metal again.

LeBron was 19

Medal

asujbl · 06-07-2025, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JP333

Um...what? Kobe and Dwade were the reason they won to my recollection

You’re wrong… but that’s OK

asujbl · 06-07-2025, 11:53 AM

15/3/3 on 46/32 splits (13 shots a game)
16/5/4 on 60/46 splits (10 shots a game)

hermanotarjeta · 06-07-2025, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

LeBron was 19

Medal

At 23, the veterans still felt he was too immature for the Olympic team concept.

At 40, he still doesn’t get it.

asujbl · 06-07-2025, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

At 23, the veterans still felt he was too immature for the Olympic team concept.

And yet he was the best player on the team

So maybe he wasn’t the problem

hermanotarjeta · 06-07-2025, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

And yet he was the best player on the team

So maybe he wasn’t the problem

It’s called selfish stat-padder.

They would have won without him.

asujbl · 06-07-2025, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

It’s called selfish stat-padder.

They would have won without him.

That makes sense

hermanotarjeta · 06-07-2025, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asujbl

That makes sense

There’s only one basketball. Bron thinks his name is on it.

asujbl · 06-07-2025, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermanotarjeta

There’s only one basketball. Bron thinks his name is on it.

Kobe took more shots per game and at a much worse clip… but you keep doing your thing

fabiani12333 · 06-07-2025, 12:07 PM

Lebron is the type of superstar that fans love to trash when he is playing but will grudgingly miss when he's gone -- think Barry Bonds. Trust me -- when the league is being headed by bland stars that average people won't recognize on the street, you'll realize what I'm talking about.

hermanotarjeta · 06-07-2025, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Lebron is the type of superstar that fans love to trash when he is playing but will grudgingly miss when he's gone -- think Barry Bonds. Trust me -- when the league is being headed by bland stars that average people won't recognize on the street, you'll realize what I'm talking about.

I think Bron is more like a circus, and I won’t miss going to the circus when it leaves town for good.

Nomad · 06-07-2025, 03:40 PM

Part of me wants to trash Bron all day. But then I only got to see him in the later years of his career and the physicality he endures at his age is something. Anyway, even with Bron gone there will always be Luka to hate and he probably will get his ring if dynasty pacers let him.

hermanotarjeta · 06-07-2025, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nomad

Part of me wants to trash Bron all day. But then I only got to see him in the later years of his career and the physicality he endures at his age is something. Anyway, even with Bron gone there will always be Luka to hate and he probably will get his ring if dynasty pacers let him.

Don’t forget KD!

tjforce · 06-07-2025, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fabiani12333

Lebron is the type of superstar that fans love to trash when he is playing but will grudgingly miss when he's gone -- think Barry Bonds. Trust me -- when the league is being headed by bland stars that average people won't recognize on the street, you'll realize what I'm talking about.

8.9 million people watched Game 1 of the NBA Finals earlier this week.

To put that in perspective: 38.8 million people watched the Cowboys vs Giants on Thanksgiving day last year.

Yes... 30 million more people tuned in to watch Cooper Rush vs Drew Lock than SGA vs Haliburton

BostonNut · 06-07-2025, 04:10 PM

gomiamigo · 06-07-2025, 04:20 PM

Not surprised in the least.

rhigh2390 · 06-07-2025, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjforce

8.9 million people watched Game 1 of the NBA Finals earlier this week.

To put that in perspective: 38.8 million people watched the Cowboys vs Giants on Thanksgiving day last year.

Yes... 30 million more people tuned in to watch Cooper Rush vs Drew Lock than SGA vs Haliburton

Still more than 2020 Finals game 1, which featured Lebron...

Can't compare football viewership to NBA.

Nomad · 06-07-2025, 04:38 PM

Viewership went up to 11 million by the end of 4th quarter, actually on par with peak Super Bowl at the end of this year's game. Ok it took an absolute thriller vs. an absolute dud to get that parity.

Also encouraging growth in the 24-35 demographic.

As somebody said, if you didn't watch, you don't love the game of basketball.

Maybe the hobby should focus on basketball lovers.

06-07-2025, 11:20 AM	#1
JP333 Member Join Date: Oct 2022 Posts: 114	2008 Redeem Team didnt want LeBron Was surprised to hear this. Interesting. "Behind the scenes, officials had taken to calling James' inner circle, 'The Enablers.' No one ever told him to grow up," Woj added. "No one ever challenged him. And yet, James was still a powerful pull for his teammates, and everyone had to agree they could no longer let his bossy and belittling act go unchecked. These weren't the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Team USA wasn't beholden to him." Team USA doesn't need LeBron if Kobe's there Due to the potential complications that could arise from including LeBron in the lineup, Team USA was prepared to exclude him entirely from their plans. The team felt assured that Kobe Bryant, who was coming off his MVP season that year, would serve as the ideal leader for their squad.

06-07-2025, 11:38 AM	#3
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 61,721 ohiosundevils	LeBron was significantly better than Kobe during those Olympics So that’s a thing __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”

06-07-2025, 11:53 AM	#10
asujbl Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 61,721 ohiosundevils	15/3/3 on 46/32 splits (13 shots a game) 16/5/4 on 60/46 splits (10 shots a game) __________________ https://ohiosundevils.smugmug.com/ Browns/Cavs/Tribe/Buckeyes/Jackets/Devils TheFrenzy - “Blowout ain't a place for normies”

06-07-2025, 03:40 PM	#19
Nomad Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Fomenting FOMO on the down low. Posts: 7,737	Part of me wants to trash Bron all day. But then I only got to see him in the later years of his career and the physicality he endures at his age is something. Anyway, even with Bron gone there will always be Luka to hate and he probably will get his ring if dynasty pacers let him. __________________ Fomenting FOMO on the down low.

06-07-2025, 04:10 PM	#22
BostonNut Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 59,513	__________________ HairySasquatch

06-07-2025, 11:35 AM	#2
hermanotarjeta Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 20,052	Not a surprise. He’s been a crippler since entering the NBA.

06-07-2025, 11:50 AM	#5
hermanotarjeta Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 20,052	The 2004 Olympics team failed to win the gold with LeBron. Kobe was recovering from injuries and wasn’t on the roster. The fear was that a LeBron-lead team would settle with a bronze metal again.

06-07-2025, 12:07 PM	#17
fabiani12333 Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Posts: 10,928	Lebron is the type of superstar that fans love to trash when he is playing but will grudgingly miss when he's gone -- think Barry Bonds. Trust me -- when the league is being headed by bland stars that average people won't recognize on the street, you'll realize what I'm talking about.

06-07-2025, 04:20 PM	#23
gomiamigo Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: in your head Posts: 10,927 esmoney gomiamigo	Not surprised in the least. __________________ IG: KevinDurant35Cards

06-07-2025, 04:38 PM	#25
Nomad Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Fomenting FOMO on the down low. Posts: 7,737	Viewership went up to 11 million by the end of 4th quarter, actually on par with peak Super Bowl at the end of this year's game. Ok it took an absolute thriller vs. an absolute dud to get that parity. Also encouraging growth in the 24-35 demographic. As somebody said, if you didn't watch, you don't love the game of basketball. Maybe the hobby should focus on basketball lovers. __________________ Fomenting FOMO on the down low. Last edited by Nomad; 06-07-2025 at 04:46 PM.