‘Bossy’ LeBron James was sensationally nearly left off Kobe Bryant’s 2008 Olympics ‘Redeem Team’ because of ‘immaturity’ and ‘disrespect’
LeBron James continues to defy Father Time.
During exhibition games in London against South Sudan and Germany recently, the 39-year-old proved he's still the leader and best player on a Team USA squad featuring the likes of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum.
But it wasn't always that way.
In fact, back in 2008, James was very nearly left off Team USA's Beijing-bound Olympics roster because of his 'immaturity' and 'downright disrespectfulness.'
That's according to a stunning report from the time by NBA Insider and former Yahoo Sports! columnist, Adrian Wojnarowski.
In the midst of then-Cleveland Cavaliers star James weighing up his NBA future and discussing the potential of linking up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in Miami, there were genuine concerns about The King's Olympics suitability.
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LeBron had been part of the disgraced 2004 Summer Olympics and the 2006 FIBA World Championship squads that had humiliated themselves -- and the US -- on a global scale by only winning bronze medals.
The powerhouse basketball nation was still reeling from those public embarrassments by 2008 and responded by putting together an Olympics team that simply couldn't fail.
Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant was recruited by Team USA head coach and Duke legend Mike Krzyzewski to avoid catastrophe in China.
NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Jason Kidd helped raise the talent levels to dizzying levels.
It was a team comparable to Michael Jordan's 1992 Olympics 'Dream Team', and they were soon nicknamed the 'Redeem Team' as a reference to that legendary team and their need to redeem themselves in the eyes of the public.
The roster picked itself. Krzyzewski just had one King-sized puzzle to solve.
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James' skillset was undeniable but his temperament caused concern.
According to Wojnarowski, " the issue of James’ immaturity and downright disrespectfulness had become a consuming topic on the march to the Olympics.
"There was a real risk that James wouldn’t be brought to Beijing based on fears his monumental talents weren’t worth the daily grind of dealing with him.
"No one could stand James as a 19-year-old in the 2004 Athens Olympics, nor the 2006 World Championships."
James -- a player nicknamed 'LeGM' due to his immense power over basketball operations for every team he's played for -- found it difficult to mesh within the rigid Team USA structure.
LeBron was often indulged by the Cavs but he'd receive no such star treatment with the men's national team.
Krzyzewski recognized the need to do things differently in 2008. There would be no place for ego and status in his locker room, and there was a sense the US could win the gold medal without even needing LeBron.
James brought a GOAT level basketball arsenal to the table and a GOAT level entourage, which posed a major threat to team harmony.
"Behind the scenes, officials had taken to calling James’ inner circle, 'The Enablers'", Wojnarowski wrote. "No one ever told him to grow up. 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."
“Legacies were on the line,” one league official said, “and they weren’t going to let LeBron [expletive] it up for everyone in China.”
Team USA were deadly serious about leaving 'Bron at home.
James eventually got the message loud and clear and decided to toe the party line in order to achieve a bigger goal.
He reportedly became more tolerable to coaches, teammates and staff, while teammate Jason Kidd, an elder statesman in the group, "babysit him at the Tournament of the Americas to try to teach him something the Cavaliers never had a veteran to do: professionalism."
It was a decision that ultimately paid off.
Bryant was the captain and leader, Wade was the US's leading scorer, and James was the perfect facilitator.
Team USA cruised through the tournament, beating Spain in the gold medal game to finish the tourney undefeated.
In London four years later, LeBron was the heartbeat of a Team USA squad that claimed another Olympic gold medal.
James would not play in the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games but he's returned for Team USA in 2024 in what's likely to be his final ever Olympics.
As he nears his 40th year, James is still the US's No. 1 option, evidenced by his clutch performances against South Sudan and Germany at the 02 Arena recently.
LeBron -- who was announced as the male flagbearer for the US at the Olympics Opening Ceremony -- spared Team USA's blushes against basketball minnows South Sudan by hitting the game-winning layup with eight seconds to go.
He came to the rescue once again against world champions Germany, scoring the final 11 points for the Americans in the fourth quarter to see off their tough opponents, 92-88.
James has myriad attributes in his repertoire but Team USA head coach Steve Kerr thinks leadership is his most valuable.
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LeBron may not have many years left in the game but for someone so decorated to still be such an integral cog in the Team USA machine is testament to his astonishing longevity.
Much like the '08 Redeem Team, the 2024 version of USA basketball will need James at his superlative best if they're to bring home Olympic gold.
talkSPORT will be be bringing you live coverage of the Paris Olympics this summer. We will showcase more than 250 hours of live coverage across our network, with Sir Steve Redgrave and Dame Kelly Holmes among our legendary line-up of pundits. Listen to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, via the app, or through your smart speaker.