Steve Kerr explains how Team USA approaches FIBA game, compares World Cup to Olympics / News - Basketnews.com

Team USA head coach Steve Kerr talked about his players' motivation to play in the World Cup, which he compared to its football counterpart and the Olympic Games. He also referred to how this particular All-NBA squad was built and the reasons certain players were selected.

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

Steve Kerr's first run as USA Basketball coach will feature a team that has minimal international experience but is nevertheless loaded with star talent.

USA Basketball announced Thursday that its 12-man roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup tournament in Asia will be headlined by four all-star player: Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton, Brandon Ingram and Jaren Jackson Jr. The squad also includes Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, Cam Johnson, Walker Kessler, Bobby Portis and Austin Reaves.

The overhauled roster, which doesn’t include any returning players from previous Olympics or World Cup teams, marks a fresh start for USA Basketball after longtime executive director Jerry Colangelo and former coach Gregg Popovich both retired after winning gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Former NBA star Grant Hill stepped in as Colangelo’s successor, while Kerr, the coach of the Golden State Warriors, has taken the reins from Popovich in advance of the 2024 Paris Olympics. Kerr will be assisted by Miami Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra, Los Angeles Clippers Coach Tyronn Lue and Gonzaga Coach Mark Few.

Credit AP Photo/John Locher

USA Basketball has won gold at the past four Olympics but is seeking to avenge an embarrassing 7th-place finish at the 2019 FIBA World Cup in China, where an underwhelming roster lost to Serbia and France. This year, the World Cup will feature group stage games in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia before moving to Manila for the knockout round, which will open with the quarterfinals and conclude with the gold medal game on September 10.

Grant Hill, for one, is happy to be going back to the Philippines.

"I've had the good fortune to visit the Philippines in my former life, in mid to late 90s, multiple times," he recalled in a USA Basketball Zoom press conference.

"I was in awe of the passion and the love of the game that's there. I don't know if our players are fully aware of what they're going to experience. I think the reception, the excitement and the anticipation will be magnificent. I know that Erik Spoelstra has roots in the Philippines, but I can't wait for that experience and be in an environment that lives and breathes basketball," the former All-Star forward added.

Hill repeated over and over again that players were excited to be a part of this process, regardless of whether they will make the cut for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

"There were no promises or guarantees ahead of next year, Paris and the future," he assured.

"95% was centered in what we have in front of us. We all understand the excitement of the World Cup at the international stage," he pointed out.

As different games have different requirements and matchups, Hill thinks everybody buys into being a part of something bigger than themselves. That's also Steve Kerr's belief. The Warriors head coach called the squad "an exciting mix of young and talented players," before referring to how the US team will adjust to the FIBA game.

"We have a pretty good feel of what wins on the FIBA level," he responded, and named the persons whose brains he intends to pick on international basketball.

"I've had a couple of conversations with Mike Krzyzewski and I plan on having more. It's great to have resources and people who can share thoughts on their own experiences with FIBA."

Kerr said there are cycles where USA Basketball has been dominant and others, where the rest of the world catches up.

"We're looking at an international game that has inarguably 3 of the Top 5 basketball players in the NBA, along with the continuity and other advantages that a lot of the international teams have. It's tough competition and I'm going to lean on every bit of experience that Pop, Coach K, [Men's National Team Director] Sean Ford and Grant can give me."

Kerr thinks part of the appeal for his players is that they love to compete. That's why they were all willing to join the team. He mentioned Bobby Portis as an example of how refreshing USA Basketball can be for NBA players.

"It gives you the chance to step away from all the stresses, the contract stuff, the trades, and free agency," he opined.

At the same time, the 57-year-old coach acknowledged that "it's a real commitment to give up on six weeks of your summer to compete with the national team."

"It's all about the excitement of competing at the international stage. So, I don't need to give them any advice. These guys are built for this and are thrilled about the opportunity."

Kerr was a member of the USA Basketball national team that captured the 1986 FIBA World Cup title in Madrid, the last American men’s senior team composed completely of amateur players to capture a gold medal. Kerr averaged 9.2 points a game and made 18-of-36 3-point tries. A finalist for the 1988 US Olympic Basketball Team, Kerr also was a member of the 1988 USA Select Team that finished 6-0 during a European tour.

According to the veteran coach, the challenge is teaching his guys the FIBA game- the differences in the rules, the different vibe in the building, the shorter game and fewer possessions - and the way the game is officiated.

"It's more about feeling the difference in the game than about feeling pressure," he commented.

Even though both Kerr and Hill conceded that the FIBA World Cup is a far cry to the Olympic Games, or even to its football counterpart, they still think an important tournament lies ahead.

"It's a matter of where you live in terms of what's the most important tournament," Kerr said.

"In our country, there's no question. The Olympics is the most high-profile FIBA event, but for a lot of basketball fans, the World Cup is a more difficult event. You have more teams involved and more games."

Hill added that the influence of the soccer World Cup creates a challenge.

"It's a longer experience overall [compared to the Olympics]. I surely don't want to minimize the Olympics and the challenge of competing on that stage," he said.

If the US team wants to succeed and not repeat their 2019 course, it's essential for them to not only adjust to the style of play, but also to the high-profile opponents they'll be facing in Manila.

"Jalen Brunson will be taking on a very big role, given his success at the FIBA level in past tournaments," Kerr revealed.

"There's no question in my mind that Mikal Bridges will be a huge factor for us defensively," he continued.

The Team USA head coach admitted that a significant part of roster building was heavily influenced by potential matchups.

"As a coach, you go into these things, thinking, 'Who's going to guard Luka [Doncic], who's going to guard Giannis [Antetokounmpo]? One of the reasons we built the roster the way we did was to have multiple options for this sort of things," he confirmed.

Kerr cited Jaren Jackson's defensive capabilities, Cam Johson's ability to stretch the floor and shoot, and Tyrese Haliburton's playmaking. He also praised Austin Reaves for his versatility, physical toughness and grit.

"All players have defining traits," he noted.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.