After having struggled to get rid of Montenegro, the United States therefore fell Sunday afternoon against Lithuania (110-104). Author of a catastrophic start, Team USA played us yet another remake of the Hare and the turtle, and the 19 points behind after twelve minutes was too heavy a handicap.
“They just gave us a right. They put all their shots. I believe they made their first nine 3-pointers.” reacted Steve Kerr in press conference about this first quarter. “It was execution, and I don’t think we weren’t ready. But they just played a perfect first quarter and we realized how hard we had to play to achieve our goal. »
For the Warriors coach, “It was a great basketball game”and he appreciated the reaction of his players: I loved the way the guys fought, they fought like crazy, and they had a great series. »
“I hope that we will have learned the lesson, and that we will do better”
But the United States went too far, and late in the game, he missed a shot or two from 3-pointers to doubt the Lithuanians. Any “hold up” would have been unfair according to Kerr. Lithuania was the best team on the pitch.
“Lithuania is a brilliant basketball team. They move, they shoot, and they’re really well coached.” continues Kerr. “We’re lucky that this loss doesn’t affect our goal, which is to win gold. But it was a very good match for us because it’s in a FIBA environment. There are very good teams that rely on continuity, and who are aware of what they are doing. Lithuania were brilliant, and they deserved to win. »
Now on to Italy on Tuesday, and the Americans know that any ignition delay can be paid for in cash. “I hate to lose, but to improve we needed to respond like we did” concludes the American coach. “In the next match, we will have to start the match as we started the 2nd half. I hope that we will have learned the lesson, and that we will do better. »
