A roster that has players like Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony on it is less likely to lose, but the 2006 FIBA World Cup proved it’s not impossible either. This star-studded line-up did not even make it to the finals, as Greece ousted them in the semi-finals itself. And now, 18 years later, the former Miami Heat star has shared what the team lacked back then.

Appearing on his podcast, the 3x NBA champ mentioned it takes so many habits being built with the same group of guys to get to the championship. He further mentioned the people being in the league for multiple years before they won the championship. “Because it takes so much learning to learn how to really win at the highest level,” Wade said, via The Wine Down podcast. He believes this was something the 2006 US basketball team lacked in FIBA.

Notably, all three stars above had debuted in the NBA for nearly just three years by then. And all three of them played with different teams in the league. “When Greece beat us, we got beat off a high pick and roll. We got beat off a set that we knew was gonna happen…We didn’t have enough habits, we didn’t have enough chemistry, we didn’t have enough to be in game and be able to make those adjustments right there on the fly,” Wade said.

Notably, Dwyane Wade, Melo, and LeBron were coming off a season where they averaged higher than 25 ppg. But in the FIBA, their combined scoring average stood at 50.1 ppg. While their lack of playing international zone defense was one obstacle, a lack of synergy was yet another. However, with another prominent addition to the team, they overcame their shortcomings in the 2008 Olympics.

The Redeem Team secures Gold at the 2008 Olympics

After a disheartening loss at the FIBA, LeBron James stated in an interview that though his team did not accomplish what they wanted to, they’ve gotten better. “We know how important it is and what it takes to win FIBA basketball games. And now looking at next summer (the Americas qualification) and going to the Olympics, we know what it takes,” he added.

Enter Kobe Bryant to the redeem team, who was not only much more experienced than Melo, Bron, and Dwyane Wade but also turned out to be the missing piece for their win. Notably, the team was named Redeem Team not just as a play on the 1992 Dream Team but also to signify their redemption from the 2004 Olympic and 2006 FIBA loss.

And the team actually redeemed itself with an 8-0 record at the Olympics, and secured a gold for themselves. Apart from this, three players from the above four won the 2012 Olympics gold as well. Notably, Dwayne Wade could not play in the 2012 Olympics as he needed knee surgery. But his point that experience and team synergy will win you on the big stage stood correct.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the Reese-Clark rivalry and more, watch this video.