USA group head coach Steve Kerr, middle, gestures throughout a observe session forward of the Basketball World Cup in Taguig, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2023. (AP Photograph/Aaron Favila)
United States coach Steve Kerr has heard a number of occasions {that a} win by an American group made up of NBA gamers is the closest factor to a assure in basketball.
However he has a distinct tackle issues.
“To me, all of us love what we do. I really like teaching, I really like the load, the strain or no matter you wish to describe it as competitors. And a part of being a competitor is embracing the truth that you would lose,” Kerr mentioned as Staff USA lastly sees motion Saturday evening, anticipated to run roughshod over New Zealand at Mall of Asia Area.
“That’s the entire level of competing; there’s successful and there’s dropping,” the Golden State Warriors mentor added.
“And the fantastic thing about sports activities is that no person’s gonna die. We’re gonna compete, we’re gonna play as exhausting as we are able to, we’re gonna attempt to win a gold medal. If we don’t, we perceive that there can be loads of criticism and we’re okay with that.”
Gilas Pilipinas might must take comfort in these phrases.
The Philippines took an enormous blow to its hopes of nailing an outright Olympic berth after absorbing an 87-81 defeat by the hands of the Dominican Republic within the Fiba World Cup at Philippine Area late Friday evening.
NBA star Karl-Anthony Cities had 26 factors and 10 rebounds to steer the Dominicans to their first win within the event.
For Gilas Pilipinas, the loss could possibly be pinned on a number of components, notably a 17-3 disparity in offensive rebounding that allowed its opponent to assemble a mini-run late within the fourth quarter that determined the match.
Jordan Clarkson, who fouled out at the beginning of that run by Dominican Republic, completed with 28 factors, seven rebounds and 7 assists.
America will get its flip to make its debut on Saturday when it goes up in opposition to New Zealand trying to lay to relaxation reminiscences of a seventh-place end in China within the earlier version of the worldwide showcase, the place the People had been foiled of their bid to annex a 3rd straight crown.
However there received’t be redemption arcs, although, for Kerr’s squad.
“[O]ur method is that is extremely enjoyable, unbelievably lucky to have the ability to do that, compete and look again at this the remainder of our lives and know that we did every thing we might,” mentioned the champion coach.
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