Unlike the 2019 team, Team USA impresses in this preparation phase, and more than the results, you have to remember the way. Even if the 12 players have no international experience in the “A”, there is already a great cohesion with a well-defined hierarchy, and the desire to shine through the collective. Against Spain, the Americans passed a real test, and it was conclusive with a victory in two stages (98-88), after having wasted a good lead at the start of the 3rd quarter. This is a lesson for Steve Kerr.
“I thought we finished the first half well, with a good run to take a 10-point lead, and we let our guard down.”, Kerr points out. “I think it’s a good lesson for us. We can’t afford to let our guard down and tell ourselves that we can do it like in the NBA. Often, in the NBA, we don’t want to do it but we can get by. But in FIBA basketball, you’re playing with fire if you let your guard down in FIBA. In the first minutes of the 3rd quarter, they just increased their defensive pressure and that allowed them to get back into the game”.
Fortunately, Team USA has enough skill and depth to give it a boost down the stretch. In particular by Anthony Edwards or Jaren Jackson Jr., author of a decisive and-1 at the start of the 4th quarter. “We know that we have to rely on the wealth of the workforce. We think we have more good players than others, more depth. »
All in a magnificent atmosphere, and like Mikal Bridges, the Team USA coach enjoyed playing in the Malaga cauldron. “It was a great basketball game. The atmosphere was wonderful. It was a big challenge for us because it was our only real away game on this tour. We are very proud of our guys who played against a great team. Spain took the lead in the third quarter, and I liked how our players reacted to end the third quarter and start the fourth”.
Next match, in Abu Dhabi against a much diminished Greek team.
