Steve Kerr reacts to Team USA loss: 'This is not 1992 anymore' / News - Basketnews.com

Steve Kerr said the international basketball stepped up dramatically and to no surprise it's not easy to win the FIBA World Cup or the Olympics.

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

Team USA head coach Steve Kerr and point guard Jalen Brunson praised Germany after the FIBA World Cup semifinal loss, 111-113.

Player of the Game EFF 26 Daniel Theis Points 21 Accuracy 10-15 Rebounds 7 Assists 2

"The game has been globalized over the last 30 years. These games are difficult. This is not 1992 anymore. Players are better all over the world. Teams are better. It's not easy to win the World Cup or the Olympics," Steve Kerr offered his perspective when asked about the significance of Team USA not winning consecutive World Cup tournaments and what it reflects about the state of international basketball.

"Congrats to Germany, they were fantastic and deserved the win. Every time we made a run, they had a big shot or got an offensive board and made a big play. They did what they had to do. I'm really proud of the guys, they were courageous throughout the game. But we just couldn't get there," Kerr spoke about the game.

The defense was never working, which Kerr thinks was a key.

"That was the main point. I give Schroder a ton of credit, he's a tough guard to handle. He's quick, he gets the ball and penetrates constantly, which threatens and compromises the defense," Kerr spoke of the German point guard, who had 17 points and 9 assists.

"I thought we made some mistakes. It sounds crazy, but the first offensive rebound of the game... Right from the beginning, we should have set the tone, and we didn't. And it opened opportunities to Obst. The whole game opened for him," Kerr said.

"Obst was 8 from 9 shooting free throws and had a bunch of threes. I think he was one of the keys, and we couldn't control him," Kerr praised Bayern Munich sharpshooter, who had a game-high 24 points.

Germany had an impressive shooting performance, making 58% of their field goals and connecting on 43% of their three-point attempts.

Furthermore, they dominated the offensive boards, outrebounding the USA by a margin of 12 to 7. This advantage on the offensive glass translated into 25 second-chance points for Germany, while the USA managed only 8 in comparison

Despite the narrow lead, Germany maintained control of the game for the majority of the time, holding a lead for 30 minutes and 29 seconds, compared to just 4 minutes and 36 seconds for the USA

"Congrats to Germany. Much respect for them. They played great from the start to the finish. They stuck to the game plan and won the game. Much credit," Jalen Brunson said.

"Terrible. Plain and simple," he evaluated his own performance.

The New York Knicks guard had 15 points and 7 rebounds.

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