In a chat with the media following Team USA’s 101-100 win on Saturday, Anthony Edwards gave a short and candid reply on what made the biggest difference in the game.
Cesare Milanti: “Almost a miracle win for South Sudan but you guys managed to stay there. What was the key for you guys?”
Anthony Edwards: “LeBron James. Yeah, pretty much just LeBron…”
Anthony Edwards on the key for USA Basketball to survive against South Sudan:
“LeBron James”. pic.twitter.com/V6IUdxpzk2
— Cesare Milanti (@cesaremilanti) July 21, 2024
Team USA was favored to win by nearly 50 points on Saturday. As confident as South Sudan came into the matchup, they were also hopelessly outmatched at every position against a stacked Team USA squad. While it was just an exhibition game (the final one of the summer), the US was fully expected to win in convincing fashion to remind the world just how far ahead they really are.
The results of the game, however, were completely unforeseen. South Sudan opened a big lead early and went to halftime holding a 14-point advantage over the USA. Obviously, concern around the country was rising as the final buzzer drew closer.
It was through the heroics of LeBron James that Team USA managed dot pull out with a win. He led a massive fourth-quarter run and set the tone for his teammates on both ends of the floor. He finished with a team-high 23 points, including the game-winning layup that ensured Team USA walked away with the win.
In truth, even at 39 years old, LeBron James is arguably the best player on the roster. He was voted so by his own teammates and his play on the court is showing with nonstop amazing plays on both offense and defense.
Most importantly, LeBron has been setting an example for others to follow. His work ethic, maturity, and level of focus coming in is bringing the best out of everyone and it has clearly made an impression on Anthony Edwards, who previously called himself the “first option” on Team USA.
Unfortunately, escaping with the win today does not do much to quell the sense of panic about USA basketball as a whole. For the past few years, the program has been seen as one in decline and fans everywhere insist that the gap between the US and other countries is closing faster than they can keep up.
After finishing 4th in the FIBA World Cup last year, those concerns only rose and there was genuine doubt that they could maintain the dominance they’ve displayed for decades now.
And while South Sudan gave the USA a good scare on Saturday, the talent won out in the end and LeBron James carried them to the finish line. In what is likely LeBron’s last run with Team USA, he’s doing everything in his power to ensure that he wears the Gold when it’s all said and done.
As for Edwards, this is just one of many stints for Team USA in the future but what he learns here can change his career for the better. As a teammate of LeBron’s for at least a few more weeks, he should soak in as much as he can and try to incorporate some of the King’s methods into his own arsenal.
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