\n<\/p>\n
Sam Harris, BBC Sport<\/i><\/p>\n
Despite winning both exhibition games in London, Team USA have work to do.<\/p>\n
World champions Germany made a statement by forcing the US into unnecessary turnovers, regaining possession and punishing them for it.<\/p>\n
This lack of focus will undoubtedly frustrate the coaches, despite some defensive improvements in other coverages seen from the game against South Sudan.<\/p>\n
But does any of that matter if you have LeBron James on your team?<\/p>\n
He’ll be carrying the US flag on Friday, but against Germany he carried the entire team when needed.<\/p>\n
At 39, James lit up the O2 Arena, igniting the crowd with an opening dunk that set the tone for the night.<\/p>\n
Down the stretch, as he did against South Sudan, James took over.<\/p>\n
Team USA\u2019s final 11 points were all courtesy of the four-time gold medallist, who ended the night with 20 points, six rebounds and four assists.<\/p>\n
Powering past German defenders to score in the paint and showcasing his finesse with a three-pointer as the clock hit two minutes, the British crowd erupted in applause for ‘the King.’<\/p>\n
James has aged like the finest of wines, growing even more valuable with time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n