Team USA head coach Steve Kerr had a stern message for his team after two near losses in their Olympic preparation games. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that Kerr called out his players during a film session, criticizing their lackluster performances against South Sudan and Germany.
“After their impressive week in Abu Dhabi, where they played well against Australia and Serbia, Team USA looked like the team we expected. But in London, their performance dipped. They need to get back to that high level,” Windhorst explained.
Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr emphasized the need for a return to their top form. Windhorst added, “Kerr has been challenging his team since they arrived in France, calling them out both in media interactions and during film sessions and practices.”
Kerr pointed out that the team didn’t play with enough energy and failed to maintain the up-tempo game needed. Despite winning their London games, they barely secured victories. Kerr noted that Serbia, although not top three in odds, is a strong contender for the gold medal.
Kerr is pushing his team to play at their highest level, treating this as the most competitive international basketball tournament in history. The response to Kerr’s challenge will be crucial for Team USA’s success in the Olympics.
After a dominant start in Abu Dhabi, where Team USA excelled against Australia and Serbia, their energy dipped in London. Kerr was concerned about the performance drop and stressed the need to return to peak form.
He criticized the team for their lack of energy and effort, particularly against South Sudan and Germany. In the South Sudan game, Team USA was down by 14 points in the first half before narrowly winning 101-100. Similarly, they trailed Germany in the fourth quarter and needed LeBron James’ heroics to secure a 92-88 win.
During the film session, Kerr highlighted instances where players were jogging through possessions and not putting in the necessary effort on box outs. He made it clear that their current level of play would not suffice in the highly competitive Olympic tournament. Kerr emphasized the need for 40 minutes of force and focus in every game.
Despite their 5-0 record in exhibition games, Kerr knows the real challenge lies ahead. Team USA’s group-stage opponents include Serbia, Puerto Rico, and South Sudan, each presenting its own challenges, particularly Serbia, led by reigning three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic.
Kerr’s tough love aims to prepare his team for the intensity of Olympic competition. With stars like LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid on the roster, the potential is there, but Kerr wants to ensure the effort matches the talent. He stressed that effort and energy are crucial for success in the tournament, and his message seems to have resonated with the players.
As Team USA prepares for their Olympic opener against Serbia, Kerr’s call to action serves as a reminder that winning a gold medal requires maximum effort and focus. The team’s response to Kerr’s challenge will be a key indicator of their readiness to compete at the highest level.
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