Steve Kerr welcomes pressure, wants to see less overpassing from Team USA / News - Basketnews.com

Team USA's head coach Steve Kerr named the one thing his players could have done better against Slovenia, and explained why Spain should feel as much pressure as his squad.

Credit: Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images Credit Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images

Team USA made light work of Slovenia (92-62) on Saturday night in a friendly match held in Malaga, Spain. Luka Doncic's absence hindered the European side's chances of laying claim to the game, however, the US squad didn't leave much room for debate.

Jalen Brunson added 11 points, eight assists and four rebounds and Austin Reaves and Tyrese Haliburton 10 points each for the U.S., which relied on a balanced attack with no other players reaching double-figure scoring. All 12 players scored, with five getting between seven and nine points.

Josh Hart made his USA Basketball debut after sitting out Monday’s 117-74 win over Puerto Rico. He had two points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal.

"We put together the team with the idea of having a lot of good passers and playmakers," coach Steve Kerr said, before naming one aspect of the game his side could have done better.

"This team, you can see through the first two exhibition games (that) everybody can pass, so we really want to push the tempo, attack closeouts because once we spread out the floor, these guys will distribute and move it and move it again. I thought we almost overdid it tonight.

At times, we had open threes and we drove and kicked it again, which as a coach you never want to criticize your players for that because you're always trying to get them to move it," he admitted.

"I think understanding the FIBA rules, an open 3 in rhythm is probably a good one to take because once you put it back on the floor, it's just going to be super physical, you're not going to get a ton of fouls on those drives," the American coach explained.

Team USA will play against Spain Sunday, 21:30 CET, in the next friendly game, as part of the FEB Centenary Tournament, a match that will face the first two countries in the official FIBA ​​rankings.

"It's going to be a great game for us because it will be the one true road game that we will play throughout our experience here," Kerr said.

"The crowd will be great. Spain is the No. 1-ranked team in FIBA, they're champions of the World Cup and it will be a great challenge, it will be very physical, a very strong team and it'll be a good test for us."

After the contest vs. Spain, the US team is off to Abu Dhabi for games Friday and Sunday against Greece and Germany, respectively, the final preparations for the World Cup. The Americans will be seeking a sixth World Cup gold medal when they open on August 26 against New Zealand.

After the scrimmage against Slovenia, coach Steve Kerr didn't deny his team is the favorite in every competition they show up at. "It's only natural that pressure is on us," he told Radio MARCA.

"Yet pressure is part of the competition," the American coach explained.

"We love the pressure and we want to win the gold medal at the end of the World Cup. On the other hand, there is a situation like this: we are not number one in the FIBA Rankings right now; Spain are at the top. We are in second place, so I think there will be pressure on Spain as well," Kerr argued.

The most important issue for Team USA is to adapt to FIBA ​​rules.

"The rules here are very different compared to the NBA, we are working to ensure the necessary adaptation," Kerr assured.

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