LeBron James’ 17-Year-Old FIBA World Cup Record Finally Has Company of 20YO Rising Australian Star

FIBA’s rules are different from the NBA. The game is of course 40 minutes long, compared to 48 minutes affair in the USA’s marquee basketball league. The foul calls are different and the pace has to be adjusted. However, that hasn’t stopped NBA players from dominating. After all, it remains the top-level talented association in the world. NBA superstars are also etched in the record books of the FIBA World Cup. And of course, when it comes to records, why wouldn’t LeBron James reign supreme?

However, another all-around international NBA talent has now joined him. He led his team to a huge win in the World Cup.

LeBron James joined by a fellow NBA player

In the game between Australia and Finland, veteran NBA Guard Patty Mills caught fire. Once again, he delivered in an international setting for the Aussies.

He posted 25 points on 11/22 shooting, pulling down eight rebounds and nabbing four steals.

After his team was down by four points in the first quarter, the Guard rallied his squad and the Ozs outscored Finnish men by 30 points in the next three quarters, notching a 98:72 win. The team survived a 19 points outburst by Jazz’s rising Forward and 2023 NBA Most Improved Player Lauri Markkanen.

Although Mills continued to sizzle for Australia again,it was Josh Giddey who enetered the record books. The 20-year-old Thunder star put up 14 points, 9 rebounds, and eight assists. Oklahoma City Thunder fans are used to him putting up such big numbers. He became the first player since LeBron James in 2006 WC to exceed 10 points, five rebounds, and five assists. The incredible Lakers player exceeded the 10-5-5 limit three times during the World Cup. During the third-place game against Argentina, he put up 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

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However, more than his achievements, the World Cup became famous for the USA failing to get gold once again after the 2004 Olympics where the team won just a bronze despite the trio of Anthony, Wade, and LeBron. Australia also won bronze during the 2020 Olympics. How are their chances in this World Cup?

Australia has depth, but the frontline is a concern

During the Olympics, the Aussies were missing the services of an all-around player like Thunder‘s Giddey. Patty continued to be the constant offensive threat and with a Wing like Matisse Thybulle in the starting lineup, their defense was tight.

Giddey gives the team a much-needed all-around boost but they are still lacking a high-profile Power Forward or Center. While Doup Reath and Nick Kay are decent big men, they are not assertive players. This lack of size is somewhat compensated by a strong bench that has the sharpshooter Joe Ingles, athletic Josh Green, and former NBA player Dante Exum.

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Overall, the team can end up in fourth place because of the lack of a strong inside presence.