"Showed up in the best shape" - NBA legend Eddie Johnson highlights LeBron James' clutch performances while urging others to step up for Team USA

LeBron James once again pulled Team USA out of danger in their final exhibition game ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. James scored the last 11 points for Team USA to secure a 92-88 win versus Germany in London on Monday, sweeping all their pre-Olympic games.

James took it upon himself in the final four minutes of the game after Germany took an 82-81 lead. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar scored a 3-pointer and a bunch of attacks to the baskets, overwhelming the Germans to close out the game.

With another heroic endgame performance, NBA legend Eddie Johnson showered praise on James while urging other players on the team to take up some more offensive responsibilities to help the aging superstar in the Olympic tournament:

“This dude showed up with the best shape of any of these guys. I think they have a lot of respect for him,” Johnson said about LeBron on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

Johnson thinks James’ teammates have taken a lesser role and have been heavily reliant on James, especially in clutch situations:

“LeBron’s Team USA teammates kind of like taken a back seat. He is out there playing point guard. Lots of those guys handle the ball with their own team. Every one of them pretty much,” Johnson added.

Ultimately, Johnson, who was an NBA journeyman in the 1990s, expressed that James has constantly left him in awe with Team USA for his athleticism, leadership and fine play despite his age:

“He’s just a freak of nature, man. I have never seen anything like this, man, who is somebody that old, that driven, and in that kind of shape," he concluded.

James finished the game with a team-high 20 points on 8 of 11 shooting from the field, including six rebounds, and four assists.

Last game, James was also instrumental in the win, nailing a game-winning lay-up to escape South Sudan, 101-100.

Eddie Johnson shows admiration for LeBron James after comparing him with old-school legends

Eddie Johnson has long been an admirer of LeBron James. In 2021, he said James has been better than most of the legends from the old-school era due to his longevity. Johnson tweeted on X/Twitter:

"It's amazing how LeBron at almost 37 is still being ripped for struggling when he has an AD in his prime and not living up to expectations. Magic, Bird, Duncan, Hakeem, and Jordan were no longer relevant at 37. That lets you know how great LBJ is. Keep it moving."

James is now 39 and is gunning for his third Olympic gold medal after winning gold at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

In the next NBA season, James will look to tie Vince Carter for the most seasons played in league history. He is expected to eclipse that record as he signed a two-year contract with the Lakers this offseason.