How Kobe Bryant SAVED USA BASKETBALL - 2008 Redeem Team

It's been nearly 15 years since the Redeem Team won gold at the 2008 Olympics and many fans have forgotten the true importance of that team. Hope you enjoy.

[mrhollister]

Kobe brought a dominant energy that no one else in the NBA embodied in the 00’s.

[nerdbamarich]

Rest in peace to one of the greatest players of all time.. it's still hard to believe what happened..🙏🏾🙏🏾

[panosts]

I remember these Olympics like it was yesterday. That and-one 3 followed by the shush to the crowd was ice cold. So cold I even got it tatted. After the 08 finals they said Kobe could not win without Shaq, he could not beat Boston, and the USA was falling behind on the international stage. Weeks after playing in these finals Kobe, instead of having an off season, made US basketball great again and then won 2 straight championships the following years, beating Boston and getting more rings than Shaq. That guy was the personification of sheer will, RIP

[Taj_Rahine]

“I promise you, I’ll destroy him.” - Kobe Bryant

[moses]

Kobe brought something to the team that no one else did before, he called all of those players out and told them to their face what he thought of them. A big part of being a good leader is actually calling out your teammates' flaws and telling them upfront what they lack. Which Kobe never shied away from. That team definitely had talent, but they were too scared of holding themselves and their teammates accountable. It might seem stupid for some people but for a team like that which is filled with talent and egos, calling them out and holding them accountable was completely necessary. They also needed a leader, and Kobe was that guy he had the hustle that none of the guys in that team had.

[andrewmauney]

I like how Kobe was more focused on defense than scoring. That mentality definitely helped USA win Gold

[saran]

I don't know about the USA but Kobe is considered as one of the GOATs everywhere else. The guy is awe inspiring and very few players do that on a global basis.

[BeyoBeo]

Kobe got a lot of hate for being the only person who succeeded in being "Like Mike." Tells you how fake that advertisement was to some people, when being "Like Mike" was only cool if no one actually got to do it.

RIP Kobe. Jordan can be everyone else's GOAT, but Kobe was the one who loved the game more and showed more passion for it. If anyone can be an ambassador to the sport, no one comes close to Kobe.

[Kashed]

Funny when Lebron stans say he is better than MJ when even Kobe locked him up. You’d never see MJ with a bronze.

[ak]

Kobe was something else. I'm a 90s kid and bulls/jordan fan and hated the kobe comparison but he is the closest to mj and no one else has even come close. I respect kobe's game and loved watching his final game the man is special. Will never be another like him

[nicholashackie]

One correction, kobe didn't miss the playoffs multiple times after shaq left. He only missed in 2005 which was due to him missing 17 games and Lamar Odom missing 18 games. They were only 10 games out of 8th place and those 17 games the lakers possibly would've won 10 of those games.

[canalesworks]

2008-10 was Kobe's triumphant peak. MVP, 2008 olympics, and then two chips.
Hardest working player of all time, and clearly one of the all time greats. People can have their GOAT arguments, but Kobe is my favorite player, and I have been watching this sport since 1970.

[enamuossuo]

OMG, I still remember that Kobe, 2008 Olympics games highlights are online, go and witness what greatness is!

[rjmacready]

thank you for this video, Kobe is the most important player in Olympic basketball history. We were a disgrace before he set the tone, he changed the culture of the team and made it possible to win the gold in the olympics that followed. Rest in paradise Mamba we love and miss you

[Mike-yqce]

And this is why I have Kobe ahead of LeBron all time.

[themrkoxi]

Kobe was a lot better player, than LeBron. Kobe was a humble guy, he was compared, to MJ all the time, by everybody, but he said "Mike is Mike. I'm Kobe Bryant. Just let me do me", LeBron on the other hand was comparing himself and not other people, to MJ, taking his 23 number calling himself the GOAT and made a lot of money doing it, for sure. Good for him, but LeBron is a bronz kind of guy, but Kobe is GOLD! Kobe is in my top 3, LBJ is in the top 10. 🙏R.I.P. Kobe🙏

[MannyMensah]

Thanks for the video bro. Yes, Kobe did saved USA Basketball. Since 2008, they're 4-0. Miss you Mamba... #mambamentality #mambaforever

[BishopM]

Kobe should’ve won the ‘09 MVP. He was in the tougher conference and had more wins. And their individual numbers were very close.

[Reformedtousen]

ESPN would tell you lebron was the savior of international ball not Kobe lol hate those ppl

[stephonaugustin]

I remember Kobe said that the world is catching up to the NBA. Now the top 5 players in the league all played Euro Ball before coming to the nba. I don’t know why people thought Ayton was better than Luka when Luka played against pros at 16 while Ayton was in high school probably playing against lesser competition