“Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were the alpha dogs of the team”: Deron Williams reveals how the two legends were the best players of the 2008 Olympic team

Former NBA star Deron Williams reveals how Kobe Bryant and LeBron James were the two “alpha dogs” of the 2008 USA Olympics team.

LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are unarguably two of the greatest players ever. They are considered to be basketball gods and have completely revolutionised how the game is perceived.

Kobe and LBJ both, have had an incredibly stacked resume giving them a fighting chance to be compared to Michael Jordan in the GOAT debate. However, the impact both of them have on their millions of fans, is absolutely tremendous.

For nearly 13 years, we saw the Mamba and the King go against each other. However, despite their fierce competitiveness, both the stars shared a special bond, love and camaraderie for each other.

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“Both Kobe Bryant and LeBron James wanted to assert their dominance”: Deron Williams

Fortunately for all the competitors, Kobe and LeBron never shared the ball on the same NBA team. However, on the Olympics USA basketball team, both the Lakers legend teamed up in 2008 as well as in 2012. Of course, along with a few other NBA stars, Bryant and James led the USA to back-to-back Olympic wins.

Among the many stars on team USA, 3-time All-Star Deron Williams was also on the squad. Recently, Deron Williams opened up on how it felt like playing with two of the best players in the world in the 2008 Olympic Games. In an appearance on “The Ringer’s Real Ones” podcast, Williams revealed:

“They were great friends, and their interaction was amazing. But it’s hard not to see that (friendly competition). Because it’s like two alpha dogs being in the same room. They want to assert their dominance.”

“LeBron is more playful, a little less serious, but works just as hard. Kob is more just about his business, and still let loose with us and still had fun with us, but it’s just two different personalities. It was fun to see.”

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Having gold medals of the Olympics Games is just one of the many achievements these two players hold. Kobe Bryant retired as an 18-time All-Star, 5-time champ, scoring 33,643 points and as one of the greatest ever to play the game.

While James, on the other hand, is been putting MVP-level numbers even in the 18th year of his career. He too, is a 17-time All-Star with 4 rings, with much more left in his tank. There is no denying that these two might be the best players to ever step on the hardwood.