The 2004 Athens Olympics were the first in a modern era when Team USA failed to win a gold medal. The American lost to Puerto Rico and Lithuania twice on the group stage and was knocked out by final champion Argentina in the semifinals. Team USA took revenge on Lithuania in the bronze medal game and finished in 3rd place.
The result shocked not only USA Basketball but the world as well. Jerry Colangelo took over control of the team after being appointed director of USA Basketball. Team USA had a clear goal of returning to the top. The road wasn’t that smooth. Americans couldn’t win because they finished third in the 2006 FIBA World Basketball Championship, the next major international basketball tournament.
Finally, a redemption team was formed for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, including the largest NBA stars such as Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony. After a memorable final against Spain, the Americans have regained their money. Michael Redd, who has been a member of Team USA since 2005, remembered his way to the top.
“It was great, it was a great experience,” Redd recalled in the latest episode of 1-ON-1. Basketball network.. “It was a highlight of my athletic career. The team was surreal to unite the Olympics, and winning a gold medal on it seemed like a great surreal experience. Playing against the best players in the world and playing against the best players in the world was an incredible experience. For me, this trip made that moment even bigger. “
“So our team had a three-year process that started in 2005 and 2006 to be together and train together during the off-season. Jerry Colangelo and Coach K said in 2008. I wanted to have unity and chemistry instead of being together for the first time. I’m playing with time. We know that we can’t compete with the world just by gathering as an all-star team. We had to spend time together and be cohesive and compatible, so it took us three years to win the gold medal together and I think that was what drove us to victory. It was love for each other and brotherhood.
“We all had the trust we had built up with each other and knew each other’s games, so in a three-year process, training camp, dinner, lunch, together time, that moment won the gold medal. I will never forget that moment. We have a bond. We all have a bond to this day. “
