As far as nicknames go, the one hung on the 2008 Team USA men’s basketball team — “Redeem Team” — falls short of the all-time keeper that preceded it by 16 years. The 1992 assemblage of NBA talent, arguably the greatest roster put together in any professional sport, was known from the start as the “Dream Team.”

From Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson to Larry Bird, Charles Barkley, Karl Malone, John Stockton and the rest, it was stocked top to nearly bottom with not just All-Stars and eventual Hall of Famers, but legends. The league’s first foray into Olympic competition shredded a series of star-struck opponents, caused a ruckus in Barcelona and rendered silly any notions of sequels. Jordan, Johnson, Bird and the others truly were one of one.

However, the “Redeem Team” — which will be en

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