Team USA begins its quest for Olympic gold on Sunday against Serbia. Coach Steve Kerr says it’s time for his star-laden roster to ramp up mentally and physically after close calls against South Sudan and Germany in its last two exhibitions.
“So it’s got to be 40 minutes of force and attention and focus, and we can’t let teams outplay us effort- and energy-wise like we did the other night against Germany, like we did against South Sudan,” Kerr said, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN.
After reviewing the recent exhibitions, Kerr wasn’t pleased with the overall effort, Sam Amick of The Athletic adds.
“(It’s) just effort and energy, play after play after play,” Kerr said. “This is different. This is not an 82-game season (like the NBA). They’re not going to play 125 games total with preseason and playoffs and all that. It’s literally six games. And watching the tape, we’re jogging through some possessions, not hitting bodies on box-outs. And so it’s time. It’s time to lock in on that. And as I said, that’s for all of us — coaches and players — to get to that point.”
We have more on Team USA:
- Joel Embiid commented recently that people may overrate Team USA, asserting that their stars aren’t quite what they used to be. “Those names have been built throughout their career, and now they’re older,” Embiid said. Kevin Durant agrees with the notion to a certain extent, according to Joe Vardon of The Athletic. “Of course, we’re older and we all have mileage on our bodies,” Durant said. “We figure out ways to be effective, just as Jo has as he’s gone through injuries.”
- Devin Booker is playing in his second Olympics and Kerr considers him the perfect FIBA player, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic relays. “Book was great in Tokyo,” Kerr said. “He’s the perfect example of a guy who in an NBA game, he’s going to get 20 shots every night. In ’21 in Tokyo, he was more of a defender, ball mover, but did a great job and was one of our key players. That’s why he’s back here. We knew how much we needed him and I’m so impressed with Book’s ability to understand that and recognize the role change, but still hit the big shot and looking forward to a big moment. Book is a perfect FIBA guy.”
- Durant didn’t play in any exhibition games due to a calf strain, though he has been practicing. His former Golden State teammate Stephen Curry anticipates their old chemistry hasn’t waned. “I think that familiarity only helps us take advantage of this experience,” Curry said, per Vardon.
Ha, Joel is the one who needs to find a comfy chair himself and watch AD and Bam do work
What a weird statement no matter if he thinks it’s true or not – Thank goodness this team has adults like Lbj and Curry.
Bury Embid Steve
Very weird statement, my thoughts exactly.
MAaybe just trying to get some spotlight on himself by trolling. The man loves attention more than he loves basketball, I think we all know that by now.
I’m not a huge Kerr fan but feel bad for the position he’s put in ( managing egos not basketball )
He was the power to flip the switch tho , minutes mean everything , I hope he does hit the switch Sunday and never looks back .His fiery statements above are encouraging
Averages 35 on bad knee says he.
They are not a medal team. I believe USA is in trouble this year. Especially with Curry slowing down a half to none tank without a a playmaker who finishes.
Huh? Curry slow down? Based on what metric? Yes the team is older, but so are most of the NBA stars. These guys aren’t playing a long season. It’s 6 games. Max effort and being locked into roles it’s what is needed. It’s amazing how many NBA fans struggle with this.
So knucklehead jojo is correct.
In all of the recent international competitions, our effort and energy levels have been a concern. At some point, it’s a feature and not a bug.
The problem with trying to roll with the “best” players participating in the Olympics is it doesn’t necessarily translate to the best on-court performance, just as superteams frequently don’t work out in the NBA. So long as the priority is in fielding the former the US will always be at a disadvantage in that regard, and that’s on top of having less experience and less cohesiveness.
I’ve been unimpressed with Embiid in these games. His theoretical value is guarding Jokic one-on-one, but Joker cooked him last week, and Embiid has really looked uncomfortable as a lower-usage guy offensively being on the floor with four other great players.
This sounds wild given his pedigree, but I don’t think he’s part of the best US 10-man rotation right now. When Durant is back, I’d bench Embiid and Halliburton and play:
Curry-Holiday-Bron-Tatum-AD/KD
White-Edwards-Booker-Bam-KD/AD
This is won’t happen – I’m sure Embiid was basically recruited to this team with the promise he’d be the starting C. But I’d let KD take his rotation spot once he’s back because he doesn’t look comfortable out there.
Smh dude wth are u talking abt Joel was literally their best player other than Bron in the last few games they played. He was truly dominant in their last 2 gms especially. What part of his near flawless floor game do you see as a negative? Jokic cooked himself all the way to a 25pt beat down lol why do y’all suck so much at watching basketball?… link to m.youtube.com
How do you know KD ain’t looking uncomfortable out there… he ain’t even been out there, right?
Nonsense
Which duo would you rather have on your team if you could have them for their entire career, Kevin Durant/Devin Booker, Dirk Nowitzki/Franz Wagner, Nikola Jokic/Peja Stojakovic, Joel Embiid/Pascal Siakam, Victor Wembanyama/Tony Parker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander/Andrew Wiggins or Pau Gasol/Marc Gasol…
That Nowitzki-Wagner suggestion sounds REAL juicy to me, Sankara; Wemby-Parker not far behind. Imagine those duos existing at the SAME TIME. Did I blow your mind with that one??
Embiid has not been their best player besides Lebron. Not even close.
You sent me a 90 second highlight vid from the Germany game but I watched the actual game. The US won by six and the Wagner Bros and Daniel Theis had half their points. Embiid just looks a step slower defensively and is less defensively effective than AD and Bam, and his value to this team would’ve been being a dominant defensive center and a matchup nightmare on O. He hasn’t been either.
Nonsense
now a flu like sickness is going through the team. Embiid and AD bot been real sick. Not going to beat Sudan if your 2 tallest players are down.
Excellent points but facts do not matter.
what facts are missing??