Was the Redeem Team the best basketball team in history?

The recent documentary detailing the United States’ victory at the 2008 Olympic Games continues to generate much debate among basketball fans. Released on the Netflix platform, it has quickly gone viral and not a day goes by without new comments creating discussion on social media. With much emphasis on the sadly deceased Kobe Bryant, the documentary looks back over the path that the USA team took to the final and with anecdotes from former players who recalled the memorable clash against Spain.

At one point in the documentary, LeBron James claimed that particular US team was the best international team in history, which directly makes it the best team, in any given sport, of all-time. James insists that the team he was part of was the best ever, putting it ahead of other mythical sides such as Barcelona’s fabled Dream Team of 1992. A daring statement which extols a squad that was absolutely incredible.

James’ reasoning is quite simple: the depth of the US team in 2008 and Dwyane Wade’s performance in the final against Spain. After the accumulation of fouls in the first two quarters from Kobe Bryant and LeBron himself, Wade stepped up and took it upon himself to figure things out and keep his team ahead until Kobe Bryant returned to star in the most exciting moments of the game. But Wade’s contribution (he ended on 27 points) coming off the bench was extraordinary... And that’s what tipped the scales for LeBron: “Seriously, if you have Dwayne Wade on your team coming off the bench, you’re talking about the best international team in history,” he declared.