In 2006, Jerry Colangelo was appointed the managing director of the men’s USA Senior National Team. Colangelo was tasked with changing the culture of Team USA. For too long the United States had haphazardly constructed its teams for international competition. Things came to a head in 2004 when Team USA failed to win the gold medal for the first time since 1988.
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh were all members of the 2006 USA World Championship team. The trio was reunited in 2008 for the Beijing Olympics.
Part of Colangelo’s plan was to build a lasting and stable infrastructure, with a team that stays together for more than just one tournament.