Woj still dropping bombs: “Lebron was nearly excluded from the 08 Olympic team”

[High quality poster]

They almost Isaiah Thomas’d him

Team USA was determined to reclaim its dominance and pride heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The team's officials were confident that they could assemble a much better group than the squad that failed to reach the gold in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. All the stars in their prime were on the drawing board except for one – LeBron James.

According to revered NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski, Team USA wasn't just planning to muster an elite group of players. They also wanted to ensure that they pick those who have the right attitude and mentality. Based on their assessment, James didn't qualify in the latter.


Woj revealed that Team USA was firm and clear about the team camaraderie and culture they wanted to build for the '08 Olympic team. That meant they would have zero tolerance for the immaturity and diva-like behavior of James.

"Behind the scenes, officials had taken to calling James' inner circle, 'The Enablers.' No one ever told him to grow up," Woj added. "No one ever challenged him. And yet, James was still a powerful pull for his teammates, and everyone had to agree they could no longer let his bossy and belittling act go unchecked. These weren't the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Team USA wasn't beholden to him."

Bean had to save the day

Due to the potential complications that could arise from including LeBron in the lineup, Team USA was prepared to exclude him entirely from their plans. The team felt assured that Kobe Bryant, who was coming off his MVP season that year, would serve as the ideal leader for their squad.

They figured that, unlike James, "Black Mamba" boasted an impeccable reputation as a responsible and dedicated player. With that in mind, Team USA was confident that with Bryant at the helm, they would be well-equipped mentally to tackle their most significant challenge yet.

"No one could stand James as a 19-year-old in the 2004 Athens Olympics, nor the 2006 World Championships," the NBA guru divulged. "Officials feared James could become the instigator of everything they wanted to rid themselves for the '08 Olympics. For as gifted as James was, Krzyzewski and Colangelo subscribed to a belief that with Kobe Bryant joining the national team in 2007, they could win a gold medal in '08 with or without LeBron James."

https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/team-usa-did-not-want-lebron-james-for-2008-olympics

 

[jaydawg08]

This isn’t new that Woj had a personal “issue” with Bron and his camp cause he couldn’t get access

Used to come down hard on Lebron when he used to be more than just a “news breaker” and would give opinions

Woj being a Bron hater was known

 

[High quality poster]

This isn’t new that Woj had a personal “issue” with Bron and his camp cause he couldn’t get access

Used to come down hard on Lebron when he used to be more than just a “news breaker” and would give opinions

Woj being a Bron hater was known

Just like you being a Bron nut hugger

 

[David_TheMan]

Kobe's leadership is what caused them to get bronze.
So the notion that they turned to Kobe is laughable if true.

 

[Killer Instinct]

Let's get it!

 

[VegetasHairline]

Kobe's leadership is what caused them to get bronze.
So the notion that they turned to Kobe is laughable if true.

Kobe is undefeated in Olympic play. Wasn't on that bronze medal team either. Stick to gossiping about porn stars bozo.

 

[Killer Instinct]

Kobe's leadership is what caused them to get bronze.

Somebody want to tell him?

 

[K-Deini]

Kobe's leadership is what caused them to get bronze.
So the notion that they turned to Kobe is laughable if true.

 

[lib123]

This isn’t new. I think Coach K alluded to personally recruiting Kobe so they wouldn't need Bron. Bron allegedly turned off a lot of Team USA people during the ‘04 Olympics as far as not taking it seriously.

 

[Killer Instinct]

Kobe's leadership is what caused them to get bronze.
So the notion that they turned to Kobe is laughable if true.

I'm having trouble finding Kobe in this photo, but I do see Tim Duncan.

 

[CantStop]

Kobe's leadership is what caused them to get bronze.
So the notion that they turned to Kobe is laughable if true.

If I saw you in real life, I’d legit slap you. Happy pride month feggit

 

[keond]

That team was basically Kobe, Dwight and the banana boat crew. You had to have bron

 

[keond]

I'm having trouble finding Kobe in this photo, but I do see Tim Duncan.

This squad was trash. Like only 5 hall of famers and led by Larry Brown

 

[Killer Instinct]

I'm sure there will be Coli nikkas who had better insight into the locker room than Mike Kzyzewski, too.

 

[Canada Goose]

A fukkery Lebron thread?