By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James put Team USA on his back after scoring the go-ahead layup that helped the Americans escape total embarrassment from South Sudan, 101-100, in another Paris Olympic exhibition tune-up game on July 21, 2024.
With 20 seconds left and Team USA trailing by a point, 99-100, the NBA’s All-Time scoring leader handled the leather from the inbounding pass and looked to create for himself in the most crucial stretch of the game.
After crossing past the half-court line, James waited when the 11th second struck and decided to attack his defender in the left elbow.
Calm and collected, the seasoned NBA star shrugged off any hard defensive pressure and converted the game-winning layup that gave Team USA the 101-100 advantage.
South Sudan had one last chance to win the game and complete the upset but their final shot attempt went too strong and bounced hard in their backboard, saving Team USA from a stunning defeat.
It was a surprising sight to see as the Americans trailed by double digits against the world no. 31 ranked South Sudan in the first half.
After breezing to a 12-2 commanding lead in the first four minutes of the game, the Americans allowed South Sudan to shoot open threes from their spots and became the sole reason why they got back easily at the end of the opening frame.
Disaster then struck in the second quarter as South Sudan made it rain from downtown and courageously challenged Team USA’s interior defense to build a 16-point lead, 58-42, before James hit a layup to cut it to 14 entering the second half.
With the halftime adjustments and defensive improvement that head coach Steve Kerr and the rest of the staff gave to their wards, the Americans began to steamroll their way in the third and sucked the life out of South Sudan when they snowballed their way to a momentum-snatching 18-0 scoring run to help them retake the lead.
The final frame then figured in a nip-and-tuck affair as South Sudan battled for every possession but James came through in the most perfect time for the Americans to help maintain their undefeated exhibition record.
James led Team USA with an all-around efficient effort of 25 points, seven assists, and six rebounds backstopped by Anthony Davis’ 15 markers.
