It was certainly a close one for Team USA during their recent exhibition game! All hope seemed to be lost for them by halftime as South Sudan held the lead via a 44-58 score. It continued until the final 10 seconds of the game, as LeBron James tipped the scoreline in his country’s favor, 101-100. While this narrow win certainly would send them back to the drawing board, this next moment was needed to mark today’s win. Meaning that no win would go unchecked without some words of wisdom from the team’s lead scorer.

After facing South Sudan, LeBron James brought Anthony Edwards, Stephen Curry, and his other teammates in a huddle. Not looking to get too demotivated with their win by a narrow margin, the All-Time Leading Scorer emphasized that the roster will get better and better. After all, the exhibition games are the perfect place for Team USA to determine where and how they need to improve before heading to Paris.

AD proceeded to claim, “You win by a mile, you win by a (unclear) you win, you win.” After which LeBron James added on to this Dom Toretto-like quote by stating “We’ll get better, we’ll get better and better. But we less than two weeks still together, alright. They been practicing months and months and months. But good job, way to be resilient. Gold on three.”

Team USA had suffered from repeated missed shots and turnovers during the game. It did not help their situation as they went 1-12 in 3s in the initial half. Whether they lacked team cohesion and understanding or not, the combined efforts of LeBron James and Stephen Curry were enough to help the team recover.

From a Jrue Holiday steal that LeBron was able to use and drop a memorable dunk in the third quarter to a steal and deep three-pointer by Curry, the team managed to recover their lead and enter the fourth quarter with an 81-76 advantage. In the end, it was LeBron who landed the blow in the final 8 seconds and brought the score to 101-100, and South Sudan had no time to recover. This marks the 2nd time that Team USA narrowly won by a close margin, with the 1st incident against Australia, which was followed by fan fury.

The fact that this elite roster almost lost to South Sudan, a team that wasn’t able to qualify for the Olympics until this year, certainly sent out some distressing signals. Fortunately, there is still some time before the Olympics commences, allowing LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, and everyone else to practice and improve upon their prowess.

LeBron James and Stephen Curry exchange words in the tunnel: “I like getting tested, baby”

For a duo like Stephen Curry and LeBron James, who have each devoted 15 and 21 years to the NBA respectively, facing new and challenging opponents continues to bring excitement to the game. While the upcoming Olympics will be the 1st ever for the legendary Warrior, it will be the 4th for LeBron. Having last played in 2012, the thought of going up against other international players is certainly imbibing an energetic vibe in the 39-year-old.

After the South Sudan game, LeBron James and Stephen Curry were captured heading through the tunnel together. After bidding the crowd of cheering fans adieu, the All-Time NBA lead scorer did not completely mind the fact that they won by such a narrow margin. He said, “I’m going to be honest, I like those ones better than the blowouts, at least we get tested. I like getting tested, baby.” As Curry replied, “Put the closer on”, and Bron continued, “I like being tested. Those are the best ones.”

The exhibition games provide Team USA with the opportunity to test their limitations without worrying too much about the consequences. However, once the Olympics commence, each win will matter. They will be put to the ‘ultimate test’ as each team will look to win the gold medal. So, will King James and Steph Curry be tested at the ultimate stage? What are your predictions?