Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Takeaways from Team USA's FIBA World Cup win over Jordan

Written by 
Published in Basketball
Wednesday, 30 August 2023 11:45

MANILA, Philippines -- Steve Kerr could not be performing better in his role as national team coach and spokesperson for USA Basketball, not only preparing and motivating the roster well but also handling all the media demands with patience and smiles.

But when he heard his star, Anthony Edwards, say the following after blowing out Jordan 110-62 Wednesday night, he cringed just a tad:

"I think we gonna win," Edwards said when he was asked about playing undefeated Lithuania in the second round of the World Cup. "We're undefeated also. I think we have a great chance to win. We got great coaching staff, we got great players. And our confidence is at all times, we not really worried about those guys."

First, the U.S. is playing Montenegro and Chicago Bulls star Nikola Vucevic on Friday and then will play Lithuania on Sunday. Secondly, Edwards wasn't trying to make some sort of guarantee, though it might read that way. He was trying to answer a question, that was a little unclear, with clarity.

Earlier in the postgame interview, Edwards had trouble understanding the wording of a Spanish reporter and had to have it repeated several times. Finally he just said: "I always keep it simple and short. For me it's just put the ball in the basket and get a stop."

"That's why we love him," Kerr said with a laugh.

Edwards has largely been spectacular and his attitude is refreshing and entertaining in a world where some star players avoid being colorful for fear of offending various parties.

It's easy to focus on Edwards' offense, he has the skills and the talent to lead the NBA in scoring someday. But it's his defense that has excited the Team USA coaching staff.

"The pressure he puts on the ball, the way he stays in front, it really can confuse an offense and take them out of their system and their stuff," Kerr said.


More takeaways from Team USA's win against Jordan:

There might be some focus on how Brandon Ingram was taken out of the starting lineup. It was done in part because of poor play, but this also was Kerr helping Ingram.

Ingram is used to being at the center of the offense, so not being able to handle the ball much is hard for him. He studied tape on Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant when they played with Team USA to see how he might fit but he hasn't found his spot yet.

Putting Ingram with the second unit was an attempt to give him space to play that way. And he did with five assists in 15 minutes against Jordan. Expect him to stay on the second team throughout the World Cup. It might mean a little less ballhandling for Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton but those guys are team-first players who are doing their best work at the defensive end.

Jordan had never played Team USA before in any event and that made this game special, even if the Middle Eastern country never stood a chance. Coach Wesam Al-Sous made this very clear after the game and with his game plan.

"We wanted to give minutes to everybody because it's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play against the U.S.," Al-Sous said. "We tried our best but it was a really good experience for me and the guys."

Read 143 times

Soccer

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Diego Simeone's 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alave...

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a m...

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has hit back at anyone questioning Bukayo Saka's commi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated