LeBron James Stats Today: How did the Team USA superstar perform against South Sudan?
LeBron James is coming off a near-triple-double performance against Team USA's 110-84 victory against Serbia. The team went up against South Sudan today in one of the most anticipated matchups in the Olympics Group Play. James has played a point-forward role for the team as he assists the Warriors' Stephen Curry with decision-making responsibilities while also providing scoring bursts.
How did the Team USA superstar forward perform against Team South Sudan in the 103-86 victory? The Lakers star put up a double-digit scoring output as he handled the point-forward role once again. The decision-making was on point alongside his preference to continuously attack the basket.
James started things off for USA Basketball at the scoreboard with a strong attack to the basket on a fast break sequence. He immediately went back to the scoring column after Suns' Devin Booker got the steal on one end, drew two defenders at the other end, and dropped off an easy dime to a trailing LeBron James for the two-handed flush.
LeBron James started the fourth quarter by getting a quick steal near the low-post area to start the fast break that led to an Anthony Davis follow-up off the Stephen Curry missed shot. It was an all-around performance from the 20-time NBA All-Star as he delivered another stacked stat sheet during the contest.
After a quiet third quarter from James, he played more aggressively in the game's final quarter to continue the momentum started by Team USA’s second unit in the third quarter. He made noise once again in the fourth when he launched a deep pass to Anthony Davis at the other end of the court and received a great pass from his Lakers teammate as he made a quick cut to the rim for a thunderous jam.
It didn’t match the kind of performance that he had against Serbia but he still showcased his versatility on the court by providing a little bit of everything from points to rebounds.
USA Basketball managing director praised LeBron James
Aside from LeBron James' NBA career, his body of work with USA Basketball is nothing short of spectacular as well. During an appearance on "The Dan Patrick Show," Team USA managing director Grant Hill praised James' incredible longevity and what he means for the prestige basketball program.
"LeBron has been fantastic from day one," Hill said (per Basketball Network). "The first day of practice in Las Vegas, he had maybe 20 dunks in practice. He's 39-and-a-half years old, and he's dunking everything and probably showed up in the best shape. He's been phenomenal ... he has been a great leader ... and certainly a great ambassador for USA Basketball and Team USA."
Projected to be his final stint with USA Basketball, James has helped bring home two Olympic gold medals in his tenure. It is also a testament to his level of dedication to his craft that not many players have reached or accomplished in their time.