2008’s Team USA basketball team was filled with some of the biggest names in the NBA, such as LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, and more.
But according to Chris Paul, some of the lesser-known players were the most important.
He recently saluted Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince, and Michael Redd as the most vital players for 2008, calling them “amazing.”
He also said that the 2008 squad was “one of the best teams I’ve ever been a part of.”
“The three most important people on that was Carlos Boozer, Tayshaun Prince, and Michael Redd. I say that because those guys were amazing teammates. They showed up every single day like everybody else, but people forget sometimes when you’re on teams like that, everybody’s not going get a chance to play. That’s one of the best teams I’ve ever been a part of,” Paul said.
"One of the best teams I've ever been a part of."
CP3 and his 2008 @usabasketball teammates… entering the @Hoophall#25HoopClass Enshrinement Ceremony: Saturday, 9/6 pic.twitter.com/Wu2yeqg7Hk
— NBA (@NBA) September 2, 2025
Wade led the team in scoring with 16.0 per game, while Chris Bosh was the rebounding leader with 6.9.
Meanwhile, Paul himself led the team with assists, putting up 4.0 per game.
But even though Boozer, Prince, and Redd didn’t earn those kinds of numbers, Paul feels that their willingness to show up every day and contribute in every way possible made them so important.
He doesn’t think the team could have been as successful without them.
And their success really was incredible because Team USA was able to push past all the other teams in the Beijing Olympics and win the gold medal.
They were on a mission that year, desperate to earn gold again after receiving only the bronze in 2004.
Everyone showed up ready to play and eager to contribute, but Paul feels it’s important to celebrate these three particular athletes.
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