On paper, this match against South Sudan was the easiest of Team USA's preparation. But on the court, it was the most complicated, with a victory snatched at the last second. After being more than ten points behind… “We are not 100% together, we saw it in this match, but it is controllable”, assures Anthony Davis.
“Basketball is such a complex team sport that if you don't play correctly, with the right energy and concentration, defending, you can be beaten. It doesn't matter who the opponent is.”continues Stephen Curry.
The United States were thus totally surprised by the energy and 3-point shooting of their opponents, and the Americans were up to 14 points behind! So, were LeBron James and his teammates enough?
“I didn't do a good job preparing my team. We weren't focused enough and that's my fault.”, Steve Kerr assumeswho explained that his players were embarrassed at half-time and pointed out a collective absence after the successful match against Serbia. “It's a good reminder: we're playing good teams, who are playing the game of their lives and we have to expect this kind of performance.”
“At the same time, we learned that we have the means, no matter who the players are on the floor, to dominate for 40 minutes.”
To shake up his troops, the coach started the second half without his starters. A choice that paid off, especially when Stephen Curry returned to the court and found the target several times behind the 3-point line. Team USA thus won the third quarter 37-18.
“We can lose if we don't play our basketball. Our style is defense. We didn't bother our opponents in the first half, they took advantage,” recalls the Warriors leader. “At the same time, we learned that we have the means, no matter who the players are on the floor, to dominate for 40 minutes. It's a good reminder.”
However, it would take LeBron James' decisive basket, followed by missed shots by Carlik Jones and Wenyen Gabriel, for the Americans to win 101-100. The two teams will meet again in ten days (July 31), at the Olympic Games, since they are in the same pool.
“We have to keep moving forward. Many of the teams we face have been training for one or more months, while we have been together for two weeks,” explains LeBron James. “So every game, every video session, is an opportunity. We have to make the most of it and not back down.”
“This match is very important because we felt like we couldn't be beaten and they showed that we could be.” summarizes Anthony Edwards. “We have to be ready to play.”
