The States had always dominated the Basketball Olympics—20 appearances, 17 gold. Including an unbeaten streak from 1936 to 1968. Came the 1992 Dream Team of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and Larry Bird. Earned the tag of the ‘greatest team to play’. 2 more Gold, but in 2004, the momentum slipped. The USA settled for bronze, so something had to change to bring back the spike.

Emerged the Redeem Team. 2008, with Kobe Bryant at the helm, wearing the Number 10.

National Duty called for 10, but his NBA numbers 8 and 24 stayed close to his heart. And fate scripted it perfectly. On 08/24/08, Kobe reminded the world exactly why those numbers would live forever.

Beijing. Gold medal game. USA vs. Spain. And above all, a friendship on the line.

With 2:08 left on the clock, Kobe and co. were cli

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