“We got young LeBron, bald head D-Wade…” Dwight Howard confidently claims 2008 Redeem Team could beat 2024 Avengers
Former NBA veteran Dwight Howard picks the 2008 Redeem Team featuring LeBron James, Bryant, D-Wade and others over the 2024 Avengers Team USA.
2008 USA Redeem Team and 2024 USA Avengers Team
The Paris Olympics was a tournament packed full of action and surprises. Many top-ranked teams were given a scare by low-ranked sides, while some shockingly fell to defeat. However, Team USA survived all the hurdles and went on to win the men’s basketball competition. Regardless of their success, former NBA star Dwight Howard believes the 2008’s ‘Redeem Team’ is better.
With stars such as LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and others, the 2024 ‘Avengers Team’ lineup was impressive. They defeated opponents in their group games with remarkable ease. On the Gil’s Arena Show, Howard was asked who wins a 7-game series between the Redeem Team and the Avengers Team.
I'm going with our team. Well, we got a young Kobe. We got young, young Bron, we got the bald head D-Wade... I'm 22... Melo at 24... Yeah, Wade at 26.Dwight Howard responded
His comments were then surprisingly echoed by Gilbert Arenas, who is known for his controversial takes.
Imma go with the 08. Because everybody was young to be dominant.Gilbert Arenas said
According to Arenas, the players on the 2008 team were both young and also at their peak back then.
In the opinion of Dwight Howard, the 2024 USA roster is not star-studded enough when compared to their 2008 counterparts. He also agreed with Arenas that Kobe Bryant and even James were in their prime back then. Furthermore, Arenas pointed, that, unlike the Redeem Team, the young players on the Avengers Team weren’t playing like them. While both ex-NBA veterans may have a point, it’s worth noting that generational talents like Anthony Edwards were part of the 2024 roster.
Dwight Howard and LeBron James could have created Lakers dynasty
Dwight Howard and LeBron James were both teammates at the Los Angeles Lakers, during the 2020 NBA season. Back then, winning against the Lakers was a herculean task, and the team was undoubtedly a force to reckon. They ended up winning the championship that year.
However, the franchise’s general manager Rob Pelinka made infamous decisions that wrecked the team’s core. Howard opened up about the same on another episode of Arenas’ podcast.
We had the best record… I just believe that like Rob kind of like, he really messed up the dynasty that we was starting. I feel like we would have at least two championships and opportunity to fight for a third one.Dwight Howard said
The Lakers also finished first in the Western Conference and had a 52-19 record. But despite having a season to remember, things quickly went south the next year. Looking back on that period now, Howard is confident they could have built a formidable dynasty if the team had been kept together.
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Peter Okereke
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