South Sudan nearly broke the basketball matrix. Germany pushed Team USA to the brink. Both teams came up short against the resilience of an aging LeBron James. Yes, at 39, King James seems to be going back to his “prime.” Days after being bestowed with a special honor and making history, James showed how desperately Team USA needs him in their quest for a fifth Olympic title in a row. This sentiment was echoed by NBA journalist Tim Bontemps.

Going by his performances in the exhibition games, it looks like witnessing the 2016 LeBron James play in the Olympics, keeping the aspirations of 342 million people strong with his resilience. This was evident in the exhibition match-up against FIBA World Cup champions, Germany. The United States got a late spark that day, but they got it nevertheless, in the form of Bron.

With four minutes of the final quarter left, Germany were ahead 82-81. But then it was time for James’ O’clock. He went in dismantling the German side, scoring his side’s final 11 points to secure a nerve-wracking, 92-88 narrow win. And while doing so, LeBron did not look like he was 39, inching closer to 40. He was not rattled, or anxious, or even tired. He looked like the best player on the floor.

On July 23, on NBA on ESPN Tim Bontemps and Tim MacMahon talked about James’ impact on the team. McMahon said that James is “still the unquestionable man” for Team USA. Bontemps, who has been covering the Warriors and Team USA’s national coach Steve Kerr closely since 2016, concurred and was full of praise for James.

Although Bontemps feels James has long been removed from the conversation of being the best player in the world. At the same time, his authority on Team USA remains ‘unquestioned’.

“This guy is not one of the handful of best players on the planet right now. Top three of four guys probably, at 39. But certainly, when the games got down to the closing minutes, there was little doubt about what they were going to do which was give the ball to LeBron. Let him figure it out because he is as you said unquestionably the guy on the team. There’s not even a close second,” Bontemps said.

The veteran analyst Bontemps found it “easy to forget” the fact that James is 39 and is still the leading candidate on a team crowded with future stars and generational greats. “It was really just something else to watch him at 39 completely dominate the end of these games and as the MacMahon perfectly said, be the guy that’s the unquestioned alpha on this super team,“ he admitted.

Apart from scoring a game-high 20 points, James also contributed with six rebounds and four assists with a steal and a block. The four-time NBA MVP once again proved his prowess at the death after the incredible rescue job against South Sudan, a team ranked 33rd in the world. That game saw Team USA heading for an embarrassing defeat as they trailed the East African nation by a point with 20 seconds on the clock.

But the Lakers man stepped up to score a game-winning lay-up with eight seconds to go to help USA escape with a 101-100 win. Just like against Germany, James was the top scorer for his side with 23 points to his name.

Not much needs to be said about LeBron James’ unprecedented longevity and prolonged command of the game. It’s not just Bontemps who sees him as the ‘alpha’. When put to the vote, the majority of Team USA still recognized the Akron Hammer as the best player on the roster. With those responsibilities, LeBron James is leading by example game after game.

After beating South Sudan at the death, Anthony Edwards was asked how they managed to survive the scare and he simply replied, “LeBron James.” That should tell you all about his stature in the side.

Interestingly, ahead of the game against Germany on July 22, ‘King James’ was selected by his fellow U.S. Olympians to serve as the male flagbearer for his country at the Games. His long-time on-court rival Steph Curry had nominated his name for the honor and made the announcement. In the process, LeBron will become the first men’s basketball player to carry the flag for Team USA at the Olympics.

Well, coming back to Team USA’s exhibition games, they did register a 5-0 record, but they had some close shaves along the way. Though it could be seen as a worrying sign, James is welcoming the challenge.

LeBron James is liking the tests

Whenever Team USA, especially when enforced with such ferocious stars, steps out on the floor, the basic expectation is a blowout. Anytime the tempo heads south, it’s bound to become a talking point. Is Team USA vulnerable even with such a well-structured team? That might be how experts and pundits would phrase it. But if you ask LeBron James, he prefers the test of composure over outright wins.

After the win over Germany, he said. “We got better tonight and that’s most important. We was tested by a great Germany team, they was world champion last year, so it was a good test for us. I’m glad we was able to, once again, keep our composure, persevere like we did the other day versus South Sudan. It was a good win for us.”

He shared similar sentiments after the thrilling win over South Sudan saying, “I’m going to be honest: I like those better than the blowouts. At least we get tested.” The Olympics are going to be full of such ‘tests’. Germany, Brazil, Greece, and many other countries have thrived in basketball in recent years. Team USA will have to earn their gold medal in Paris no doubt.

But with King James in such dominant form, they will be ready for the challenge and hope that their other stars come to the party soon.