Former NBA player Luol Deng is the executive director of South Sudan's team
LeBron James led Team USA with 23 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds
South Sudan held a 14-point lead over Team USA at halftime
South Sudan qualified for the Olympics by defeating Angola in the World Cup
Steph Curry contributed by hitting two crucial three-pointers during Team USA's comeback
Team USA's men's basketball team narrowly avoided an upset against Olympic debutants South Sudan
Team USA was favored to win with a spread of 43.5 points according to BetMGM Sportsbook
In an exciting turn of events at the London Olympics, Team USA's men's basketball team narrowly avoided a major upset against South Sudan. The African nation, making its Olympic debut and playing with only two NBA players, JT Thor and Wenyen Gabriel, held a 14-point lead over the US team at halftime.
South Sudan qualified for the Olympics with the lowest ranking since 2004 and gained independence from Sudan just 13 years ago. The team's executive director is former NBA player Luol Deng, who initially funded it. South Sudan surprised many by defeating Angola in the World Cup to secure a spot in the Olympics.
Despite their impressive performance against Team USA, South Sudan faced a significant challenge as they were ranked 33rd by FIBA compared to Team USA's top ranking. The US team was favored to win with a spread of 43.5 points according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
Team USA rallied back in the second half, with LeBron James leading the charge. He ended the game with 23 points, 6 assists, and 6 rebounds. Steph Curry contributed by hitting two crucial three-pointers during Team USA's impressive 16-0 run to take the lead in the fourth quarter.
The close call served as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports and the importance of staying focused and prepared, even against seemingly weaker opponents. The US team will face Germany in their final exhibition match before competing at the Olympics.
South Sudan is ranked No. 33 by FIBA, USA is ranked No. 1
LeBron James ended the game with 23 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds
Accuracy
Team USA trailed South Sudan by 14 points at halftime
LeBron James scored a game-winning shot with eight seconds remaining to secure the victory for Team USA.
South Sudan led for more than half the game and had a chance to win at the end.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by mentioning the FIBA rankings of South Sudan and the USA, implying that these rankings make South Sudan less capable of beating the USA. This is a fallacious way to argue as rankings do not necessarily indicate ability or skill in a given situation.
The United States men’s basketball team avoided a massive upset on Saturday by beating South Sudan, 101-100, at the O2 Arena in London on a go-aadditdquo go-ahead basket by LeBron James. At the half, Team USA trailed South Sudan by 14 points. South Sudan is ranked No. 33 by FIBA; USA is ranked No. 1.
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South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and qualified for Olympics with lowest ranking since 2004
Luol Deng, former South Sudanese NBA player, became executive director of team and funded it initially
South Sudan beat Angola in World Cup to qualify for Olympics with only two back-row NBA players: JT Thor and Wenyen Gabriel
Accuracy
Team USA climbs back from a 16-point deficit to beat South Sudan
LeBron James controls the endgame for Team USA with game-winning shot
LeBron James scored a game-high 25 points for Team USA
USA struggled from deep, missing 12 of first 13 shots from range in second quarter
Team USA’s decision to play the game seriously in second half after falling behind by 16 points
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(95%)
The article contains an appeal to emotion with the description of South Sudan as a 'young, developing country' and 'making its maiden voyage to the Olympics'. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the potential upset as 'the second biggest and most monumental upset in the history of international basketball'. However, no formal logical fallacies were found.
][The article] This had the potential makings of the second biggest and most monumental upset in the history of international basketball.[[
'][The author] They played really intense. It was nice to see how we responded. LeBron with a great finish down the stretch.[[']
LeBron James scored the go-ahead basket with 8 seconds left, saving the US Olympic team from a 16-point deficit and an upset loss to South Sudan.
South Sudan gained independence just 13 years ago and is playing in the Olympics for the first time.
Accuracy
The US team allowed South Sudan to shoot 61% in the first half and got outscored from three-point range.
South Sudan led for more than half the game and had a chance to win at the end.
LeBron James finished with a game-high 25 points, six rebounds, and seven assists for the US.
Deception
(80%)
The article contains editorializing and sensationalism. The author uses phrases like 'stunning loss', 'biggest upset in the program's history', and 'good reminder that when we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives'. These phrases are used to manipulate emotions and create a sense of drama. Additionally, the author quotes LeBron James saying 'I like those better than the blowouts. At least we get tested.' This is an opinion by James and not a factual statement.
Anthony Davis added 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Americans. Marial Shayok had 24 points for South Sudan and Jones had a triple-double – 15 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
I did not do a great job preparing our team. We did not focus enough on what they’re capable of, and that’s on me.
It was 8-0 U.S. after 2 1/2 minutes. The rest of the half: South Sudan 58, U.S. 34.
The Americans allowed South Sudan to shoot 61% in the first half and got outscored 21-3 from 3-point range in the first 20 minutes.
The U.S. Olympic team that’ll soon head to the Paris Games escaped with a 101-100 win over South Sudan in London, rallying from a 16-point deficit to avoid perhaps the biggest upset in the program’s history.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority when quoting Steve Kerr stating 'We have to expect everyone to play like that.' and 'We did not focus enough on what they're capable of, and that's on me.' This implies that the team should have expected a tough game from South Sudan due to their past performance or reputation. However, this does not necessarily mean it was a logical assumption as there could be other factors at play. Additionally, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing South Sudan's performance as 'the biggest upset in the program's history.' and 'a good reminder that when we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives.' This language is not objective and could sway readers emotions.
We have to expect everyone to play like that.
It was a good reminder that when we play against teams, it’s the biggest game of their lives.
Bias
(95%)
The article does not demonstrate any clear bias towards a specific political, religious, ideological or monetary position. However, the author does use language that depicts South Sudan as underdogs and implies that they were unexpected to put up a good fight against the US team. This could be seen as an unintentional bias towards favoring the US team due to their status and reputation.
It was 8-0 U.S. after 2 1/2 minutes.
South Sudan had a chance to win at the end.
The teams will meet in group play in the Paris Olympics on July 31.
Team USA faced a 16-point deficit against South Sudan in the Olympics exhibition game.
South Sudan built a 16-point lead over Team USA in the first half by holding them to 1-of-12 shooting on 3s and making seven treys.
LeBron James turned in his best game of the summer with 25 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Joel Embiid had his best game for Team USA so far with 14 points and 7 boards.
Accuracy
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and qualified for Olympics with the lowest ranking since 2004
Luol Deng, former South Sudanese NBA player, became executive director of team and funded it initially
South Sudan beat Angola in World Cup to qualify for Olympics with only two back-row NBA players: JT Thor and Wenyen Gabriel
Deception
(40%)
The article is not entirely deceptive but it does have some examples of deception. The author, Joe Vardon, presents the game between Team USA and South Sudan as a close match that could have gone either way. This is done by highlighting the struggles of Team USA in the first half and their eventual comeback in the second half. However, this portrayal is misleading because it implies that South Sudan had a strong chance of winning, when in reality they did not come close to actually winning the game. The score was 101-100 in favor of Team USA and they only managed to beat South Sudan by one point due to a last-second layup by LeBron James. This is an example of sensationalism, as the author exaggerates the competitiveness of the match.
The American men’s Olympic team faced its first true test of the summer from a surprising source and passed, avoiding what would have been one of the most stunning losses in 50 years of USA Basketball.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author, Joe Vardon, engages in exaggeration when he describes the game as potentially being one of the most stunning losses in 50 years of USA Basketball. This is an example of an overstatement fallacy. Additionally, there are appeals to emotion throughout the article, particularly when discussing South Sudan's lack of current NBA players and their young history as a nation playing international basketball. The author also uses a false dichotomy when stating that either Team USA did not focus enough on what South Sudan is capable of or it was Coach Steve Kerr's decision to swap out starters for the second unit. These examples do not rise to the level of a severe fallacy score, but they are present in the article.
One of the most stunning losses in 50 years of USA Basketball?
This game was described as potentially being one of the most stunning losses in 50 years of USA Basketball's history.
South Sudan, a country that didn’t exist until 2011, has no current NBA players and whose biggest “star” may be a skinny, 17-year-old headed to Duke.
Either Team USA did not focus enough on what South Sudan is capable of or it was Coach Steve Kerr's decision to swap out starters for the second unit.
Bias
(95%)
The author expresses surprise at South Sudan's performance and implies that they are underdogs due to their lack of NBA players and young age. He also uses language like 'stunning loss' and 'upset' to depict South Sudan in a negative light. The author also quotes the coach of South Sudan expressing disappointment about a non-call, which could be seen as an attempt to elicit sympathy for the underdog team.
The youngest nation playing international basketball, has no current NBA players and whose biggest 'star' may be a skinny, 17-year-old who's headed to Duke.
This was one of the most stunning losses in 50 years of USA Basketball.
We got a good shot, we got a rebound and we got a good look at it. I thought it was contact when Wenyen Gabriel got the ball and it was a no-call, but I can't blame it on the (refs).
