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The USA’s Kobe Bryant during the match at the Men’s Basketball Final between USA and Spain at the North Greenwich Arena during the London 2012 Olympic games. London, UK. 12th August 2012. (Photo: Steve Christo) (Photo by Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)
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The USA’s Kobe Bryant during the match at the Men’s Basketball Final between USA and Spain at the North Greenwich Arena during the London 2012 Olympic games. London, UK. 12th August 2012. (Photo: Steve Christo) (Photo by Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)
23 August marks a great celebration in the heart of basketball fans. Today is the day Kobe Bryant would have turned 43. The ‘Mamba’ remains to be one of the greatest pioneers of basketball, and will always remain to be so.
Kobe has made many memorable moments in his long, illustrious career. He made the city of LA his home, spending his entire career with them. He won everything in his career and did not leave a single stone unturned. Bryant turned his childhood dream into a reality, becoming a prime example of ‘hard work pays off.’
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He even made his mark on the international stage with Team USA. Kobe helped USA take gold in 2008 and 2012. Notably, his contributions with the ‘Redeem Team’ are the highlights of his USA career. We saw many behind-the-scenes moments from 2008, and one of them involves Kobe’s birthday celebration.
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The USA’s Kobe Bryant and teammates during the national anthem at the Men’s Basketball Final between USA and Spain at the North Greenwich Arena during the London 2012 Olympic games. London, UK. 12th August 2012. (Photo: Steve Christo) (Photo by Steve Christo/Corbis via Getty Images)
LeBron sang for Kobe Bryant
The relationship between the ‘King’ and ‘Mamba’ was always special. Bryant passed on the torch to LeBron once he retired from the game. They shared the court a few times when they played together for Team USA. And, during that time, James even sang the birthday song for Bryant.
A look back at LeBron singing on Kobe’s birthday is just what fans would want to see today. In the heartwarming video, Bryant even has his late daughter, Gianna in his arms.
He and James continued their bond from 2008 all the way to LeBron wearing the purple and gold. Notably, Bryant even congratulated LeBron for surpassing him in career points. Now, let’s look at how Kobe Bryant and the 2008 ‘Redeem Team’ dominated the Olympics.
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14 August 2008, Beijing, China — NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James of the U.S. looks on from the bench during the Beijing 2008 Olympics Games. Photo by Victor Fraile — Image by © Victor Fraile/Corbis (Photo by Victor Fraile/Corbis via Getty Images)
2008 Redeem Team
The 2008 Team USA remains as one of the most important in USA basketball history. After an embarrassing bronze medal finish in 2004, USA basketball was in complete disarray. This is when the Redeem Team was be assembled; stars such as Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd decided to suit up for the Olympics this time around.
The redeem team went on to win Gold at the 2008 Olympics. However, it was no easy job. Their finals match against Spain was nothing short of a battle, but Bryant came to the rescue. He went on to score 13 fourth-quarter points to seal the gold medal for Team USA. His famous celebration came in this game when he hit a clutch three-pointer.
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BEIJING, CHINA AUGUST 14TH, 2008USA’s Kobe Bryant lets out a scream after dunking the ball against Greece during a preliminary round game at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. (Photo by Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The gold reinstated USA as the best international team and proved that no other team came close to the talent that they possessed. They went on to win yet again in 2012, which ended up being Kobe’s last Olympics stint.
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