Even if the composition of the Team USA roster may have been intriguing, particularly on the lack of international experience and the youth of the whole group, GM Grant Hill and his coach Steve Kerr used very specific criteria to build it, with character players capable above all of playing fast and setting a strong pace.
The Warriors coach is thus implementing his strategy by relying on the same five majors from the start: Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards, Mikal Bridges, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr.
The results are for the moment convincing since the Americans have won their four preparation matches with a clear success against Greece yesterday (108-86) in Abu Dhabi, and a five major which was particularly effective from the first five minutes of the meeting to start on the right foot (17-7).
“It’s so hard because we only have a few weeks before diving directly into the tournament, so I like to have this stability regarding the group that is starting,” said Steve Kerr after the meeting.
The Warriors technician seems to have found the right balance and should stick to this rotation during the group stage of the World Cup to start, before adapting a little more to the opposing profiles.
“I feel like we’ve made good progress,” said Anthony Edwards, the game’s leading scorer with 21 points in 17 minutes. “All the staff do a great job of making sure we know the game plan. You know, we really like each other, so we don’t mind splitting the ball and making an extra pass. I think it’s going pretty well overall.”
Strengths (and weaknesses) identified
This quiet success against Greece, which had nevertheless recently achieved a great feat by beating Luka Doncic’s Slovenia in Ljubjana, is in any case one more positive indicator for the Americans in view of their first official match next Saturday against to New Zealand.
It remains to erase the weak points now identified, such as the flaws in the rebound seen against Spain, and a relaxation again glimpsed yesterday, after having put the Greeks at a good distance.
“Our concern is about ball losses and rebounds. If we manage to stay consistent in the possession game, I’m confident for us, against anyone.” thus concluded the coach. “The way opposing teams can beat us is if they give themselves extra possession and force a lot of loose balls. So if we’re not sharp enough, or we don’t box out. And I told the guys, it’s not really a secret.
The last test for Team USA before the World Cup will take place tomorrow against Germany.
