LeBron James has played on some talented teams over the years. In his 20-year career, The King played for an electric Miami Heat, a resilient Cleveland Cavaliers, and the wildly successful Los Angeles Lakers. But none of them compare to the best team he has played for.
Advertisement
In 2008, LeBron was a member of a uber-talented US Olympic Team, aptly titled the “Redeem Team”. Their aim? To make right the wrongs the US national team had made at the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 FIBA World Championships.
With a roster fielding the likes of LeBron, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade, among others, they were unstoppable. When LeBron and Kobe combined once again in 2012, they were called the Redeem Team II. Just like the 1996 Team was called the Dream Team II.
But, since their win at the 2008 Olympics, a fresh new debate has started. Who would win in a match, the 2012 Redeem Team or the legendary 1992 Dream Team? Well, King James believes his team will hold their own and even prevail over Michael Jordan and Co.
LeBron James believes the 2012 Redeem Team would beat the 1992 Dream Team
Perhaps the most popular debate in the NBA today surrounds the topic of the GOAT. Is it Michael Jordan? Or is it LeBron James? Well, while MJ may hold the advantage over The King right now, there is one debate LeBron believes he will win.
In 2012, with the Summer Olympics in London over the horizon, Bron was asked an interesting question. Who would win in a match, five-on-five between the 2012 Redeem Team and Michael Jordan’s 1992 Dream Team?
And, despite the presence of such superstars as Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Scottie Pippen on the Dream Team, James believes his team would prevail:
“The ’92 Dream Team paved the way for all of us … We understand what they did for our game, but we also are big-time competitors as well, so if we got the opportunity to play them in a game we feel like we would win, too.”
There certainly are mixed opinions as to what the potential outcome would be. And, seeing as there is no definitive answer, the debate is likely to go on for ages.
Michael Jordan took issue with Kobe Bryant and LeBron’s comments
As mentioned earlier, LeBron’s comments were eerily similar to that of Kobe Bryant. The Black Mamba who has the greatest reverence for the Dream Team stated that the Redeem Team would pull out ahead if they went head-to-head. A statement that His Airness, Michael Jordan did not appreciate.
“For him to compare those two teams is not one of the smarter things he ever could have done.”
Safe to say there was no love lost between MJ, Kobe, and LeBron regarding those statements. But, there can be no denying the legendary status of both teams.
