Redeem Team doc: Kobe’s influence on Team USA proves gravity of veteran leadership

The newly released Netflix documentary on the ‘Redeem Team’ is full of gems. That Team USA roster for the 2008 Olympics was headlined by up-and-coming superstars Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard. However, it also proves the most crucial cog in this entire machine was its veteran leader: Kobe Bryant.

As detailed in the documentary, it had been a long and harsh run for Team USA leading up to the Redeem Team. The United States lost in the prior Olympics and failed to qualify during its first chance, getting stunned by a frisky Puerto Rico team. It wasn’t until Kobe Bryant joined and showed what he was capable of that the team really took off.

NBA legends told the story of Team USA choosing to go out to the club one night during its practice sessions in Las Vegas. Almost every player on the roster went out for what they described as one of their most memorable nights together. As they stumbled back to the hotel room sometime around 5:00 a.m., they ran into Kobe heading to the gym while they were on their way to sleep. It was funny for the moment, but as the thought settled, these players were stunned.

From that point, they realized that if they wanted to truly be great, they needed to work for it and commit themselves to the craft. Team USA saw each of its players, one by one, getting up early in the morning for practice to follow their leader. In the end, they earned the Redeem Team title and received that gold medal for one of the most storied games in basketball history.

Veteran guidance is essential for the Redeem Team, NBA and modern Team USA.

At the time, most of these young players were still early in their careers. While they were all impact players who thrived in their own way, none of them had approached the heights that Kobe did. That was a teachable moment that in turn, played a pivotal role in turning Team USA basketball around. It also taught them all something valuable about the dedication it would take to perform at a level comparable to Kobe Bryant.

Not everyone has the intensity of the Black Mamba. Heck, NO ONE matches the level of competitiveness and dedication he displayed throughout his career. But veteran leadership is crucial to building a basketball team in any context, and this anecdote from one of the all-time greats is a perfect example of it.

If you’re going to play for 10+ years in the NBA, it’s because you worked your tail off to stay there. Most veterans have played in various contexts and seen what it takes to stick around. They have a wealth of knowledge to be passed down to the next generation, but if you don’t have that player in the locker room to hold others accountable (whether it be by their words, actions, or examples), then how are younger players supposed to learn?

There’s a reason why Gregg Popovich and the San Antonio Spurs still have a handful of veterans in a lineup they know is bound for the NBA Draft lottery. The same could be said of Mike Conley in Utah, Eric Gordon in Houston, or Terrance Ross in Orlando. These players are here to set an example for the next generation by teaching them the nuances of being professional athletes.

In part, these players are usually biding their time while their teams dangle them in trade offers. But their organizations aren’t willing to simply dump them for a late second-round pick due to the value these players bring by being a part of the team and showing young players how to act.

Kobe’s legacy is predicated on the work he put in, and it’s something the entire basketball world should strive for when building for the future.