LeBron James once more pushed Team USA’s men’s basketball team over the finish line in another tightly contested tune-up game before the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024, which took place on Monday, July 22 at the O2 Arena in London. The result was a 92-88 victory over Germany, who had won the FIBA World Cup in 2023.
The oldest member of Team USA led his nation in scoring with 20 points. Lebron James shot 8-11 from the field, including a number of crucial buckets, and was the team’s leading scorer. In addition, Joel Embiid scored 15 of his own. Franz Wagner scored 18 points to lead Germany, while Andreas Obst, a sharpshooter, scored 15.
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Despite a few close calls, Team USA won all five of their warm-up games and was aiming for its fifth gold medal in a row at the Games.
Stephen Curry, Jrue Occasion, Devin Booker, Lebron James and Embiid began together for the third time in Group USA’s check up series. Although Kevin Durant did not play in any of the warm-up games, there is still hope that he will play in Paris as he heals from a calf strain.
When compared to their previous appearance, the United States‘ cohesiveness significantly improved from the opening tip. With his reverse dunk off of an Embiid outlet pass for the game’s first points, James set the tone early. Group USA shot a searing 58.8% from the field in the main quarter and their safeguard was similarly noteworthy, holding Germany to 30.4% shooting including a feature reel block from Anthony Davis.
As Team USA’s offense slowed in the second quarter, Germany was able to fight their way back into the game. However, the United States immediately responded with a late second quarter push that featured an incredible two-way sequence. The ball was picked up by Anthony Edwards, who sprinted the other way in transition before flying down the lane for a right-handed dunk after Embiid raised to block an Isaac Bonga attempt. At the half, Team USA had a seven-point lead.
The offensive inconsistencies of Team USA surfaced once more in the third quarter as Germany took away their lead thanks to strong defense and impressive shotmaking. Down the stretch of the quarter, the two teams traded baskets, including two threes from Wagner and Obst that helped Germany maintain its momentum. Into the fourth, the defending FIBA World Champions held a three-point lead.
Early in the quarter, both teams traded leads multiple times before Team USA briefly regained its separation. Booker floated in an and-one, left-handed layup from a nearly impossible position to give the United States a three-point lead after Curry threw a behind-the-back pass to Booker following a defensive end stop.
In the closing minutes, Lebron James also had a significant stretch, securing two crucial baskets with a crucial steal. After Germany had reduced its lead to just one point, he scored a three from the right wing before bullying his way inside for a contested layup. James finished the game with a couple of free throws and a well-defended layup for Team USA. Shortly after it was announced that he would be the male flag bearer for the United States at the opening ceremony in Paris in 2024, Team USA’s oldest player put on another strong performance.
After winning all five of its warm-up games, Team USA will now travel to Paris before starting group play on July 28 against Serbia and Nikola Jokic.
LEBRON JAMES IS CHOSEN AS THE MEN’S USA Flag Bearer FOR THE OPENING CEREMONY IN PARIS IN 2024.
LeBron James, who has won two Olympic gold medals, has been named the male flag bearer for Team USA at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.
During the athletes’ parade in Paris on July 26, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer will become the first male basketball player to wear the Stars and Stripes at an Opening Ceremony.
After making his Olympic debut in 2004, when the United States won bronze, James, who is 39 years old, will compete in his fourth Olympic Games. Lebron James would win gold medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. Lebron James and his partners will start the USA’s journey for a fifth sequential (and seventeenth aggregate) Olympic gold decoration in the men’s b-ball contest when they take on ruling World Cup silver medallists Serbia on 28 July.
This post has answered so many of my questions.