10. Revival of the Olympic team
Prior to the 2008 Olympics, the state of the USA basketball team was one of disarray. The 2006 FIBA World Championship games had ended with USA in 3rd place. No longer was the United States the feared behemoth they once were.
In steps Kobe Bryant.
At the time, Bryant was unequivocally the best player in the league. He was coming off his only MVP award and a Final appearance, but instead of resting and regrouping for the 2009-10 season, Bryant traveled to Beijing for the 2008 Olympics. Not only did Bryant lead the United States to the demolition of every team in front of them, he took over in the gold medal game against Spain, USA’s toughest match-up. With the USA lead down to 91-89 in the fourth quarter, Bryant’s sequence of plays went:
Kobe Bryant Running jumper
Kobe Bryant Assist on Deron Williams three-pointer
Kobe Bryant Assist on Dwight Howard dunk
Kobe Bryant Three-pointer
LeBron James Lay-upDwight Howard Free-Throw
Kobe Bryant Three-Pointer + Free Throw
That’s 9 points and 2 assists in arguably the biggest game of his career in the biggest moment. Bryant would finish 13 points in the final quarter and lead America to it’s first Olympic gold medal since the summer games in 2000.
Next: All-NBA/All-Defensive Team Selections