Team USA Recovers From Slow Start To Rout France In Olympic Opener

We’ve been calling LeBron James the best player in the world for a few years now. (By “we” I mean those of us not blinded by all of Kobe Bryant’s rings/z.) But no, really: he’s the best player in the world. All of the posing about whose game best fits the international style, one traditionally dependent on shooting and physicality, is irrelevant when you’re as good as the American team since 2006. The talent is just too good to require qualifiers. That goes treble for LeBron, who isn’t a great shooter from beyond 18 feet, and isn’t always the most physical player (though that changed this past NBA season).

LeBron isn’t styled in the traditional international flavor, and he’s still head and shoulders above anyone else. If he continues this sort of performance throughout the tournament, he’ll not only reaffirm his ultimate advantage over other NBA players (a reaffirmation that need not be made, really), but he’ll really bolster his claim as one of the greatest players ever.

Team USA continues to pour it on against France in its 2012 Olympics basketball opener, taking a 78-51 lead after three quarters. Team USA removed all doubt early in the third quarter, taking a 21-point lead within a couple minutes and keeping the margin near that level throughout the period.

After a relatively quiet first half, LeBron James dominated in that third quarter. He only has nine points in the game, but he has been outstanding as a facilitator, whipping several beautiful passes to teammates. He also had this alley-oop finish that wowed the crowd.

After a slow start, Team USA has opened up a double-digit advantage on France at halftime of the Olympic opener for both teams. Team USA led by just one point after the first quarter, but they played much better in the second quarter and now have a 52-36 lead.

Team USA began its run early in the quarter, scoring the first 11 points to take a 33-21 lead. Most of those points came with Tony Parker out of the game for France. Beyond that, Team USA started to catch fire from the perimeter, hitting 5-11 from three-point range in the quarter after not making one three in the first quarter.

We’ve played one quarter in London, and Team USA has a 22-21 lead on France in the opener of the 2012 Olympics for both teams. Team USA tried to deliver a knockout punch early, but France has stuck with them and is very much in the game.

Team USA got off to a fast start, forcing turnovers and getting out in transition. Their early run was punctuated by this full-court bounce pass from LeBron James to Kevin Durant for a layup.

The USA men’s basketball team will begin their quest for a second straight Olympic gold medal Sunday with their first game against France.

Fans who want to watch the game live will have to set an early morning alarm. The game is scheduled to begin in London 2:30 p.m. local time which means it will air live in the United States at 9:30 a.m. ET. The game will air live across the country without delay, meaning it will begin at 6:30 a.m. PT.