US Basketball Coach Steve Kerr Focused on Redemption at 2023 FIBA World Cup
MANILA, Aug. 24 – US basketball team coach Steve Kerr held a press conference on Thursday, expressing his determination to lead the team to redemption at the 2023 FIBA World Cup after a disappointing performance four years ago. During the 2019 edition in China, the team finished in seventh place, but Kerr believes they have learned valuable lessons from that experience.
Kerr acknowledged the competitiveness of FIBA teams and emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes. He stated, We had a tough World Cup in 2019 in China, we were well aware how competitive the FIBA teams were going into that tournament, just like we know this time around. He added, So the only thing you can do from an experience is to learn and try to figure out what you can do better the next time, we have tried to do that in preparation for this year’s World Cup.
The 2023 FIBA World Cup, co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, is set to feature 32 teams across eight groups. The United States, positioned in Group C alongside New Zealand, Greece, and Jordan, will kick off their campaign against New Zealand on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
To ensure thorough preparation, the coaching staff has assigned specific coaches to study each opposing team. Mark Few, in particular, has been scouting New Zealand and providing valuable information to the team. Kerr explained, We have great respect for them, they are very well coached, they play very hard, they look for quick shots, you have to be well prepared to beat them.
While preparing for the World Cup, the US team has showcased impressive form under Kerr’s leadership, winning all five of their warm-up games, including notable victories against Spain and Germany. Reflecting on these matches, Kerr highlighted the importance of adapting to FIBA rules and learning to play together as a team. He said, The most important thing is to get used to FIBA rules and to learn to play together. Amidst of doing that, we played some tough teams who are going to be a major factor in the World Cup.
Player Jalen Brunson echoed Kerr’s sentiments on continuous improvement and emphasized the significance of collective play. Brunson expressed, Every time we step out on the court it’s about how can we be better than we were yesterday, that’s been our mindset, we have a lot of guys who come from different situations and play different styles of basketball but here, egos are left at the door.
As the US team aims for redemption and a strong performance at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, their focus remains on learning from past experiences and growing together as a cohesive unit. With their determined mindset and the valuable lessons they’ve gleaned, they are ready to take on the challenge and compete at the highest level.
