Brian Windhorst describes the demanding situations that United States men’s basketball will face against Brazil. (0:57)
PARIS (AP) — The distractions are in Paris and the tension of the Olympics is mounting as the U. S. team enters this stressful final race. Americans begin their decisive week with a fundamental mantra: stay undeniable and true to your identity.
After playing 3 games in 14 days, the American team wants to win 3 in five days, starting on Tuesday in the quarterfinals against Brazil (3:30 p. m. ET), to win its fifth consecutive gold medal.
Over the last month, the Americans have overcome a taste that has led them to an 8-0 record, adding exhibitions. As they made final arrangements Monday, there was a collective mindset of sticking to the plan.
“We know what makes a FIBA win suitable,” U. S. team coach Steve Kerr said, referring to foreign regulations for the Olympics.
“We’re absolutely focused on our defense. . . And then the good looks of our team and the talent, the intensity of our talent, is that from game to game, we have a lot of guys that have the ability to get turnovers. “
Eliminate all the research and the little drama of beginner groups and playing time, and that’s necessarily all the American team does. Kerr has worked to expand lineup combinations that prioritize defense. The United States is not achieving any kind of confused offensive; It’s just a matter of sharing the ball and leaning over the hot.
Three other players, Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo and Anthony Edwards, led Team USA. The U. S. has scored in the three games played in France. They all come off the bench.
Ten other players average at least seven shots depending on the game. Every 10 shoot an average of at least six shots depending on the game, with none averaging more than 10. This has led to efficiency: they shoot 54% as a team.
“That’s how we can overwhelm teams. It’s just that each and every one has to be in a position for every moment,” said Stephen Curry, who struggled to throw the ball at the Olympics (32% overall), but that doesn’t slow the team down.
“I think it’s a challenge because you don’t know room by room, game by game, who it’s going to be, [but] it’s a fun way to play. If you’re convinced saying ‘Just win the basketball game,'” and after that, it doesn’t matter how it looks. “
What it looks like defensively is that the United States restricts its warring parties to 40% shooting and only 29% from 3-point range. Create a combination of 16 steals and blocks consistent with the game.
Kerr has 11 players on the roster averaging 18 to 22 minutes, and he is prioritized for size, relying on 3 centers in his rotation most of the time.
And that is not going to change. While the Americans have no advantage over many of their conflicting parties in the Olympics when it comes to years of delight from other countries’ cores playing together, everything the coaching staff has done over the past month has been our minds to come. With a reliable game plan and they must stick to it.
“It’s vital to maintain that identity now that you’re playing against the most productive teams,” Kerr said.
In preparation for Brazil, which qualified for the quarterfinals thanks to a problem spread after betting on teams with a 1-2 record, the team has been recovering.
The United States has been outscored in their contested games so far, 124-123, but they have allowed 14 offensive rebounds per game. Brazil is averaging thirteen offensive rebounds per game, and Kerr said he expects the team to “maul” the Americans on the boards.
But even if it is a priority, there are no plans to radically change the game plan.
“For the future, we’re going to keep the essentials as the essentials,” Adebayo said, referencing a well-known saying from his Miami Heat. “We can make the game simple for us because we have a lot of talent. We all have the right mindset. “