He has not coached Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant together since May 8, 2019. This summer, Steve Kerr will reunite with the two superstars he coached between 2016 and 2019 at the Warriors. With essentially the same expectations as in the golden era in California: to assume super-favorite status, and therefore to win.
“ In this business, you win or you fail, that’s clear. And that's okay. This is what happens when you have the greatest players of any country, so you have to accept it “, formulates the technicianat the head of a dream American selection heading for the Paris Olympic Games.
He adds : ” The reason I do this is because I like to compete. If that wasn't the case, I would have said no. My love for competing and the challenge of winning a gold medal far outweighs the fear of losing. We'll just compete and see what happens. »
Find a defense
What an entire basketball nation wants to see is the return of the United States to the top of the ladder after the Americans' new disappointment at the World Cup. Eliminated in the semi-final by the future champion, Germany, Team USA was also beaten by Canada for bronze.
Two matches which also showed defensive shortcomings within this formation: 113 points conceded against Dennis Schroder's gang, then 127 against that of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
“ One of the things we look at is why Team USA has lost games in the past. There are common themes, and the most important is defense. In the lost matches, we simply failed to stop the opponent. This match against Germany is one of them, they cut us up. We will therefore have to be very good defensively this summer “, warns Steve Kerr.
With a few specialists in the discipline within his squad (Jrue Holiday, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis or Bam Adebayo), he should not have too much difficulty getting the message across. You might as well apply it from July 28 for the opening of their competition against the formidable Serbia, with or without Nikola Jokic.
Two mixed generations
Beyond the competition, the former assistant of Gregg Popovich in Tokyo will have to deal with a component already known with the Warriors: relying on players in their last lap (Curry, Durant, LeBron James) and young people stars who want to take up the torch (Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum).
Steve Kerr compares it to the 2008 gold medal-winning “Redeem Team,” in which Kobe Bryant served as a mentor and helped lead to the emergence of LeBron James, Kevin Durant and others.
“ All of these players are the pillars of their NBA team. By playing for Team USA, you kind of give up that individual responsibility and embrace the collective of the team. I think there's joy and relief for these guys », finishes the coach.
TEAM USA ROSTER
Leaders : Stephen Curry, Tyrese Haliburton, Jrue Holiday
Exteriors : LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard
Interiors : Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo
