(Photo by Christopher Pike/Getty Images)
For years, NBA fans, media, and even players have overlooked the rest of the world.
That’s why USA Basketball has been stunned multiple times throughout the course of history, including in the last FIBA World Cup.
The rest of the world is catching up at a drastic rate, and the talent is getting significantly better as the years go by.
On top of that, even fringe NBA players sometimes turn into legitimate stars when they suit up for their national teams, as it clearly means more to represent them, let alone beat Team USA.
That was evident again on Saturday when South Sudan almost pulled off one of the single-greatest upsets in basketball history.
It took a game-winning layup by LeBron James for the Americans to escape with a one-point win in the exhibition game.
Considering that, James walked out of the court stating that he actually preferred this kind of game over the blowouts because these games put them to the test (Via NBA & ClutchPoints).
LeBron James: “I like those ones better than the blowouts, at least we get tested. I like getting tested, baby.”
Steph Curry: “Put the closer on.”
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/Bzea0wrPUg
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 20, 2024
It makes sense.
Team USA will come across several challenges in the Olympics, so it’s important for them to build some character and demonstrate that they can execute when it matters the most.
Then again, they should’ve never put themselves in this position to begin with.
Props to South Sudan for playing an almost-perfect game and giving the best team on Earth a run for their money; no one can take that away from them.
As for Team USA, hopefully, this was the wake-up call they needed.
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