Every NBA fan remembers when the U.S. 2008 Olympic Basketball team, popularly known as the “Redeem Team“, won gold in 2008. Reeling from their shocking loss in 2004, their 2008 win made an ever-lasting impact on how the world viewed U.S. basketball. Despite having a star-studded line-up for the 2008 Olympics, many people give credit to the Black Mamba who led the team to victory in the Finals against Spain.

In a recent podcast interview, Lakers owner unveils Kobe Bryant’s unusual provocation that helped him add a fourth title.

Kobe Bryant v Pau Gasol: An unusual face-off

The 2008 “Redeem Team” was one of the most impressive rosters of all-time. One would think that this team would absolutely dominate the opposition. Majority of the players mentioned in the team were either current or future NBA Hall of Famers.

As criticism poured in from fans who expected a repeat of the fiasco in 2004 Olympics, the 2008 “Redeem Team” went undefeated because of the leadership of the Late Great Kobe Bryant.

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In a recent podcast interview, Lakers owner Jeanie Buss talked about when Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA Finals. She said, “He (Phil Jackson) was miserable after we lost to the Celtics in 2008. That was a tough off-season.”. She further added, “You know, Kobe got to go right to the Olympics and out his frustrations on Spain for the Gold medal.”.

Late Kobe Bryant’s loss to the Boston Celtics affected him very deeply, and that pushed him to strive for victory in the 2008 Olympics. After winning the Gold medal, Bryant made an unusual provocation to Pau Gasol (his Laker teammate and Captain of the Spanish International team).

Buss concluded, “People know the story that Kobe knew he needed Pau in the right state of mind, to get back to the finals. So, he hung his Gold medal in Pau’s locker at the start of the 2009 NBA season.”. This provocation worked wonders as Bryant won his fourth ring in 2009. The Bryant-Gasol duo also won the 2010 NBA championships, forever etching their names in NBA history.

Recalling the iconic 2008 NBA Finals

With players like Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum, among others, the 2008 Lakers were a complete team. However, they were the underdogs despite their impressive 65-17 run in the regular season. Why? Because they were going up against the iconic 2008 Boston Celtics team.

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This team had a 66-16 record in the East. This team consisted of NBA legends like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, among others. The Los Angeles Lakers lost 4-2 to the Boston Celtics in the 2008 NBA finals.

How the Black Mamba reacted to this career-defining defeat is one of the reasons why he’s so loved. His energy resonated with the members of the 2008 “Redeem Team”, who then started taking the 2008 Olympics more seriously.

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What are your thoughts on Kobe’s unusual but iconic provocation to Pau Gasol? Let us know in the comments below!