The US has dominated the Olympic basketball scene in recent times, and Netflix is bringing that experience to life in a documentary next month.
Netflix will premiere The Redeem Team on October 7th. Based on the USA men’s basketball team at the 2008 Olympics, the Redeem Team won the gold medal after the USA lost at the 2004 Olympics. His list included Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Deron Williams, Chris Bosh, Jason Kidd, Tayshaun Prince, Michael Redd and Carlos Boozer. Head coach was Mike Krzyzewski.
The version of the 2008 Olympic roster is often compared to the 1992 Dream Team, which is one of, if not the most historically, greatest grouping of players in basketball history.
His list included Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Karl Malone, Patrick Ewing, John Stockton, David Robinson, Chris Mullin, Clyde Drexler and Christian Laettner. Chuck Daly served as head coach.
Who would win a game: the Dream Team or the Redeem Team?
Undisputed co-host Shannon Sharpe likes the Redeem team for their athleticism.
“I don’t think the Dream Team can match the athleticism of the 2008 Redeem team,” Sharpe said. “LeBron James is 23. D-Wade is 26. Kobe is 29. CP3 is 23. Deron Williams is 24. Melo is 24. One of the greatest Olympians in US basketball history was Melo. And Dwight Howard was 22 and has won three straight defenders of the year [Awards] so it was at its peak after the 2008 Olympics.
“In 1992, Bird was 35 years old. His role in the Olympics was more ceremonial. His back had sagged by this point. Magic was 32. Most of the team was 29-30 years old.”
Who would win: Redeem Team 2008 or Dream Team 1992?
Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe decide whether the Redeem Team or the Dream Team wins a game.
James and Paul are the Redeem team’s two active NBA players, while Anthony and Howard are not signed.
James, 37, is entering his 20th NBA season and his fifth with the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 30.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game last season while shooting 52.4/35.9/75.6.
Paul, 37, is entering his 18th NBA season and his third with the Phoenix Suns. He averaged 14.7 points, 10.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game while shooting 49.3/31.7/83.7 last season.
On the other hand, Skip Bayless likes the Dream Team, mainly because Jordan is in his prime.
“I caught Michael Jordan at the peak of his powers at the age of 28,” Bayless said. “If you’ve read all the stories about the Dream Team and the hotel, one afternoon after another hell of a workout, Bird and Magic said to Michael face to face, ‘This is your team. It’s your time. Because Larry just couldn’t play anymore. Magic could play at 32 and he could lead and he could be a point guard and he could do all of that. He could orchestrate. But when it came down to it, it was Michael’s team.
“Carl [Barkley] was obviously still in his prime. And then throw in the great Karl Malone and then off the bench if you can bring Patrick Ewing and David Robinson that’s just too much firepower. But it just boils down to the original 23: Michael Jeffrey Jordan.”
Jordan finished his 15-year NBA career with six championships and an average of 30.1 points per game. He spent 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls and two with the Washington Wizards.
Barkley averaged 22.1 points per game over his 16-year NBA career. He divided time between the Philadelphia 76ers, the Suns and the Houston Rockets.
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