Head coach Steve Kerr once again stressed the high level of international competition following Team USA’s upset loss to Germany, per Aris Barkas of Eurohoops.
“This is not 1992 anymore,” Kerr said. “Players are better all over the world. Teams are better. It’s not easy to win World Cup or Olympic games.”
Kerr also gave the Germans credit.
“Congrats to Germany, they were fantastic,” he added. “Every time we made a run, they got a great shot, an offensive rebound, a big play. I am proud of my guys, they fought and gave us a chance in the end, but we couldn’t exactly get it.”
Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards said the team lacked toughness in the semifinal loss, but he refused to use lack of size as an excuse, relays George Efkarpidis of Eurohoops.
“We got out-rebounded all night. … They were more physical than us,” Edwards said.
Here’s more from the 2023 World Cup, which concludes Sunday:
- German head coach Gordon Herbert got a three-year commitment from his roster, which is filled with experienced veterans. The group’s continuity showed in the victory, writes Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports. “I think that helped us immensely,” Magic forward Franz Wagner said. “From the first day we got together this summer, we believed that we’re a special group and we can win against any team.”
- Could the three-year blueprint be something the Americans emulate going forward? As Fischer notes, former USA Basketball head coach Mike Krzyzewski got three-year commitments from players when he took over in 2005. “I’m not sure how you would do that,” Kerr said. “If you wanna ask the same 10 guys to play every summer, I think that’s very unrealistic. Part of the deal with USAB is you pass the baton to the next coaching staff, the next group of players. It’s different than most countries. But we’re unique in that we have a deep talent pool and a lot of very worthy players. And I think those players and coaches all deserve to have the honor of wearing that USA jersey.”
- Despite dropping its semifinal to Serbia, which will face Germany for a chance at gold, the Canadian national team is still determined to defeat the U.S. and claim the bronze medal, according to Barkas of Eurohoops. “It’s very important for the country, the players, the program,” head coach Jordi Fernandez said. “We are very emotional right now, but getting a medal will be very important for us and we know we can still get better. We want to leave this tournament hungry and thirsty for more.”
Team USA dominated the youth tournaments this summer (& over the past few yrs) bc of suffocating/pressure full court defense. The senior team should take lessons. Guys like Lowry, Butler, PG & Draymond were just dominant defensively in the last Olympics. But this team didn’t play like that at all. Guys like Dejounte/Herb Jones/Scottie should’ve been favored over guys like Reaves/Hart/Cam… Also the pg situation wasn’t ideal. Other than seniority I can’t imagine any reason Brunson was starting over Haliburton. This lineup is pretty obv in need of a pass 1st type pg that excels in finding shooters/scorers & pushing the pace, esp when BI was starting. Brunson hasnt been bad but him starting over Haliburton definitely hampered the team… Most importantly they have to lean into what is now/still the main/constant advantages that theyll have over even the best countries around the world, athleticism/depth. 12 guys should be playing every game & they should be pressing full court every second that the lead is under 30. Even during the Olympics when older vets are playing the American game plan should be to play as fast as possible and to force turnovers & get as many transition buckets as possible
What about Jaren and Ingram? Did they contribute?
More physical and out rebounded
Daniel Theis dropped 21 points on you, with 3 offensive rebounds, and a block.
And what did team USA do to combat that. JJJ the defensive player of the year, had 19 minutes and 3 rebounds and no blocks. Walker Kessler didn’t even get a minute.
They knew size was their weakness after Jonas Valaucanes bodied them earlier and they just let it happen again.
Like I said days ago and people loved to criticise why didn’t they have a true centre with some experience there? Jarrett Allen or Mitchell Robinson? But yet you had Cam Johnson there giving you next to nothing for 4 minutes ever other game, why? You’ve already got Ingram, Banchero, Bridges and Hart.
I’m glad team USA lost, they don’t respect the international game enough. It’s all about the top guys resting and competing for a title.
Daniel Theis is a very very average nba player on a good day. The usa was not represented by the best of the best. Case closed.
Whats your point?
Steve Kerr has been blessed. He does not understand the game like a coach should. One day more will see it.
You’re so right! 6 trips to the finals and 4 NBA championships in 9 seasons. The guy has no idea what he’s doing.
He’s managing that team. (Warriors)
Coaching and managing are two different things.
Very few, if any, NBA coaches can do both at an elite level.
It’s nothing more complicated than the best NBA players are not playing for USA. We have some terrific young players, but we don’t have the very best out there.
You can’t expect to win at this level when we don’t send our best players. This should surprise no one.
Everybody on the coaching staff are all multi millionaires just like the players. They dont care too. They are on vacation and they surely dont want to rub a player in a wrong way. No incentive to win at all cost whatsoever.
The US players are trained to play battle ball, not basketball. It does not matter who we send overseas.
The leauge got away from physical basketball long ago.
Simple fatigue of playing against a forgien style is what did the US in. They were tired as all get out from the pounding they took and simply did not have the legs to get through.
My call that we were guaranteed to finish no less the 4th reflects what I just said.