The 2025 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinement is now behind us. One of the highlighted inductees was the 2008 Olympic USA Men’s Basketball team, affectionately dubbed the “Redeem Team.” Headed by LeBron James and Kobe Bryant, the team earned the moniker because they were, in fact, avenging their 2004 bronze medal win.
What made this induction so unique was its timing. It included Dwight Howard and Carmelo Anthony, both of whom were inducted on the same night for their careers, but this induction also included two active players in James and Paul. Both of whom have been playing in the NBA for 20-plus seasons now.
An unprecedented time in Springfield
This has never before been seen, and it speaks volumes, too. On the surface, Dwyane Wade, Howard and Anthony all look like they still could be playing. But Father Time clearly had other plans. In Howard’s case, there might be league politics that ended up exiling him from the league. Then and still, when opening night tips in the NBA in October, both Paul and James will be suiting up. Ironically, they’ll also be suiting up in the same city, and it is a testament to their discipline and ability to pivot above all else.
In Paul’s case, it seems he has been in positions where he was always “the bridesmaid and never the bride.” He finally broke through to the NBA Finals in 2022 with the Phoenix Suns. So many of his late playoff runs were marred by injuries. Most of these injuries were soft tissue injuries. A whole lot of hamstring strains and groin tears, etc. But Paul changed his diet and training, and in his 19th season with the Spurs, he played in all 82 games. This was only the second time in his career that he had done such a thing, and the first time in a decade. Clearly, the changes he has made have worked. Now with the Los Angeles Clippers, let’s see if a title is once again on his horizon.
James’ career is even more impressive not only because he accomplished more, but because he has played even longer. He’s performing at a higher level than Paul in a macro sense. There isn’t too much difference between the James of 2008 and the one that we saw in 2025. There’s such an immense attention to detail and discipline that allows for this to happen. At the core is the desire and the want to be there. The will to reach another career milestone clearly is a real thing. Not to mention, luck has had to be on both players’ sides.
Hindsight is always 20/20
Chris Bosh, for instance, could still be playing. But he unfortunately developed blood clots that continued to linger. He was forced to retire due to this. So, there was a beautiful novelty in seeing two players in James and Paul in the twilight of their careers. Then, you had Howard and Anthony, who were the newest ones of the team to retire. Lastly, there were the OG retired players in Bosh, Wade, Jason Kidd, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer and Tayshaun Prince. They all have had the time to come to grips with life after basketball. But I’m sure they can’t believe that people that they played with on that Olympic team are still in the NBA, tearing it up.
These moments encourage me to appreciate the present so much more. This upcoming season, I’ll catch as many L.A. games as I can to see how well these guys continue to compete. What we’re witnessing is hugely due to the advancements of modern medicine. But I doubt that players of the future will maintain the same desires to compete. This may be the only time in basketball history where an active player goes into the hall. If it’s to only be James and Paul to hold that honor, then how befitting.
