Las Vegas — It was evident to Team USA that they were in a city where entertainment is a given. They delivered as promised.
Steph to LeBron!
🇺🇸 #USABMNT pic.twitter.com/P0NmDQWXZq
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
Circus Circus.
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 @FS1 pic.twitter.com/9f0YKg9gaX
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
Anthony Edwards scored 13 points and Stephen Curry scored 12 to help Team USA overcome Canada 86-72 after a sluggish start. Team USA’s superior size, depth, and athleticism were on display. The USA’s new star-studded, veteran lineup easily defeated the team that eliminated them from the FIBA World Cup a year ago, but nobody should read too much into an exhibition victory. “The work on the glass and the defensive ferocity are amazing.” Thus, coach Steve Kerr stated, “It was a good first effort.” “I believe we did a good job of setting the tone for how we want to play.” Kerr announced a starting lineup that included Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, LeBron James, Jrue Holiday, and Devin Booker following much conjecture. That bunch
Given that anyone can make a move, there is a tendency to postpone and to overanalyze every possession, according to Curry. Furthermore, you attempt to simplify the game as much as you can when you are ahead. Moreover, we had trouble with the first unit. Afterwards, as we got more comfortable and the game progressed, it appeared like everyone was getting more at ease. Hopefully, this trend will continue in the remaining four preseason games. It was Curry’s three that finally snapped the sluggish early run. These stars were forewarned by Kerr that this would not be an NBA game where they could settle into a groove slowly and build on it during play. “Everyone of these players is expended.”
Tyrese Haliburton, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Jayson Tatum, and Bam Adebayo, the USA bench group, were the ones who altered the outcome of the game. The dynamic of the game shifted as that group applied a defensive intensity that ultimately became overwhelming. Part of it is Edwards’s athleticism.
Shifting gears 🐜
🇺🇸 #USABMNT x 📺 FS1 pic.twitter.com/RHjAIHVdrB
— USA Basketball (@usabasketball) July 11, 2024
The first game also made it evident that Kerr had learned from the World Cup a year prior, when his team had a smaller roster and he occasionally leaned into the small-ball strategy that has been so successful for his Warriors. In the more tangible FIBA games, that doesn’t function the same way, thus this year the USA made a true comeback, led by Embiid. The USA blocked nine shots collectively and controlled the glass. Starting with the 15 turnovers (11 in the first half), the USA had a lot of work ahead of them.
There’s rust on Canada, but it’s better than this. Also superior to this are the USA. Despite stating that he thought a lot of what he saw in this game, Kerr said to expect changing starting lineups in the next few games as he looks to find the best synergy. In order to put Australia and Serbia (with Nikola Jokic) to the test once more, the USA is currently scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Gregg Popovich’s Team USA struggled in several of the early exhibitions and even lost their opening game in the postponed Tokyo Olympics three years ago, but they overcome it to win gold. They discovered their chemistry.
Joel Embiid is the next player, who fouled out after playing for 12 minutes. This includes elbowing Dwight Powell in the face and receiving an unsportsmanlike foul, which is the equivalent of a flagrant foul in other countries. He will need to strike a balance with the erratic FIBA officiating and his toughness. RJ Barrett of the Knicks led Canada with twelve, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with ten and Dillon Brooks, who was jeered every time he touched the ball. On nights when they make 3-pointers, the guard-heavy Canadian team will be difficult to beat; nevertheless, as a team, they were 7-of-33 (21.2%), with Jamal Murray making 1 of-5.
Even after just one match, the USA squad seemed to be discovering theirs sooner.