Olympic Men's Basketball: Redeem Team Puts USA Back On Top

"This team is not big enough.  They can't compete with experienced international teams. They have no half-court offense."

All of these things were said about the "Redeem Team," the 2008 USA Men's Basketball team—yet when it was all said and done, the gold medals were hung around their necks and the American national anthem was played once more.

Since the Sydney Olympics in 2000, the USA has not won an international basketball tournament. In that time, the United States Basketball has experienced its lowest points in history.

In the 2004 Olympic Games, a team led by Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan was stunned by Argentina in the semifinals and walked away with the bronze. Then in 2005, the U.S. placed fourth in the FIBA Americas championships. It was clear that the world had not only caught the USA, but passed them, as far as the way of the team game and not talent alone. Change was needed—and fast.

The Americans no doubt had their backs against the wall. Not only had the USA not won a tournament in six years, but there was a very real possibility that the United States would even not have a team in the Beijing Olympics, as they needed to advance to the finals of the FIBA Americas Championships to even qualify.

The U.S. abandoned the old formula of building a team by getting some All-Stars together three weeks before a tournament.  Micheal Colangelo, the director of USA Basketball, hired Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who brought with him a very experienced coaching staff that included new New York Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni.

Along with the change at head coach the entire team was given a major overhaul with only four players (James, Wade, Boozer, and Anthony) returning from the 2004 squad that won the bronze. Players were asked for a three-year commitment, and responded with enthusiasm and the will to put USA Basketball on top.

It was clear early on that the formula was working, as the Americans cruised through the FIBA Championships and won the gold—along with a spot in the summer games in Beijing.

This new group of players impressed many with their dominance in exhibition games in preparation for the Olympics. The "Redeem Team" was now firing on all cylinders on the road to Beijing.

When the team arrived in Beijing, they played with a fire and determination that had not been seen in a long time for USA Basketball. Led by Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and a resurgent Dwayne Wade off the bench, the "Redeem Team" looked unbeatable in pool play.

The U.S. dominated China, Angola, Greece, Spain, and Germany, winning by an average of 32 points—including a 32-point rout of defending world champs Spain. and a spanking of Germany by 49. The U.S. entered the medal rounds at 5-0.

Breezing past the Aussies in the quarterfinals behind a 25-point effort from Kobe, the U.S. faced Argentina in the semis. Despite a tough challenge from Argentina, the "Redeem Team" moved onto the gold-medal game against Spain.

Here is where the Americans' resolve was truly tested. LeBron and Kobe both had early foul trouble, and it looked as if Spain had a window of opportunity.  But in came Dwayne Wade, who had a massive game with 28 points, and helped to hold off Spain in the first half.

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