South Sudan defeated by just one point, even NBA superstars struggle. Curry’s analysis: “If we don’t defend…”
But can the best version of Team USA ever assembled since the Dream Team of 1992 be defeated? The suspicion arises after the narrow victory over South Sudan in London, a 101-100 decided by LeBron James with 8 seconds left, which showed the human side of the NBA superstars favored for the Olympic gold. “This game reminded us that we are not invincible,” wisely admitted Steph Curry in the belly of the O2, with the 17,343 fans filling the arena incredulous at how close South Sudan came to pulling off the upset. The reality is a bit more complex than the inevitable refrain that no team is unbeatable: yes, Team USA came close to losing and received an important reminder that the gold medal must be earned, not a guaranteed prize on the road to Paris. But they also have the best roster among the 12 that will compete in the Games, and as Steve Kerr reminds, they still control the outcome of games with their talent. In practice, if Team USA plays at the level their individual talents allow, they are favorites against any team.
signals
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Curry’s wisdom is spot on for understanding what happened against South Sudan. “From this game, we learned that we can be beaten if we don’t play our way, and our way means defending – said the Golden State star after the performance at the O2, the penultimate for Team USA before the Olympics -. We didn’t defend well in the first half and they took advantage of it: they made difficult shots and that energized them. However, we also learned that we have an extra gear compared to the others, and if we manage to find it, we can crush anyone, no matter who is on the other side. If it weren’t true, we wouldn’t have won the third quarter 37-18. This game was a wonderful reminder of both things: we are not invincible and can be beaten if we don’t defend, but even down by 16 like this time, we have the ability to come back.” The reality remains that no one has the talent of Team USA, but unlike the walkover of 1992, this team will have to earn the gold, because the others are simply not happier to share the court with NBA stars and ask them for their jersey at the end of the game. Over thirty years of progress have, as Steve Kerr says, almost closed the gap, bringing the world closer to the strongest. And if Team USA makes mistakes, like the 14 three-pointers allowed to South Sudan and the lax defense in the first half in London (61.1% shooting for Coach Royal Ivey’s team), opponents can win.
efforts
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This game is also a reminder that Team USA’s work is still ongoing, even though wide victories over Canada, Australia, and Serbia, unlike South Sudan, possible rivals for gold, had suggested otherwise. The first challenge at the O2 (the second tomorrow evening against world champions Germany) was the first time that Steve Kerr’s team faced a real test. “The finish was positive for us; it reminded us what awaits in Paris and Lille – said the coach -. It was a great experience, a great reminder that for several teams we will face, playing against us will be the most important game of their history, and we must remember that. This was the first game where we felt in doubt; not by chance did LeBron win it with 8 seconds left. It’s good to face these difficulties now: we know we will face them again, that we will be challenged, but I think the team responded well.”
the challenge with Germany
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Germany will be another test to understand how much work Team USA still has to do. Kerr, who has not yet recovered Durant, is still looking for the starters alongside LeBron, Curry, and Joel Embiid (clearly still out of sync). “We are not yet 100% together as a group, and I think it showed – explained Anthony Davis, the best against South Sudan -. But it’s all manageable. We need to score to win, but we also have to defend.” It is from the lessons of this game that Team USA starts again, from this first real challenge passed with a thrill, from the awareness that opponents will not shy away but will try to beat the team with USA on their jerseys, even if they have a collection of Hall of Famers. Kerr’s challenge, in the week leading to the Games, is to continue to transform these talents into a team. One that knows it is the favorite for gold but also knows that the medal which everyone assigns to it in Paris must be earned, proving on the field to be unbeatable. The fact that many think it is on paper is no longer enough.
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