U.S. coach Steve Kerr knows that every opponent awaiting the Americans in this tournament will likely be very aggressive, hoping that tactic works to derail the only team in the World Cup with a roster composed entirely of NBA players. New Zealand tried; the U.S. now faces Greece on Monday.
MANILA, Philippines — It was late in the first quarter of the U.S. team’s opener at the FIBA World Cup. Austin Reaves was in transition and tossed a lob to Cam Johnson, who got sandwiched in midair by two New Zealand defenders and took a hard fall.The U.S. coach knows that every opponent awaiting the Americans in this tournament will likely be very aggressive, hoping that tactic works to derail the only team in the World Cup with a roster composed entirely of NBA players.
It wasn’t quite like that in the five exhibition games the Americans played on their way to the World Cup because, well, they were just exhibitions. A game against Spain earlier this month against the reigning World Cup winners and FIBA’s No. 1-ranked team - the U.S. is ranked No. 2 - got physical at times, but that was to be expected and nothing got out of hand.
“That’s their way of playing, that’s their way of trying to stay in the game and whatnot,” Johnson said. “It’s definitely different than how we’ve been playing, but we’re all capable of adjusting and figuring it out. I think the thing that’s important for us to keep in mind is what’s the legal limit of our physicality. You can go out there and fight and throw punches and all that all game, but if you get three, four quick fouls, your game is basically over.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Spain women’s soccer coach slams team president Luis Rubiales for World Cup kissSpain coach Jorge Vilda blasted team president Luis Rubiales — who FIFA suspended for 90 days — for his nonconsensual kiss of forward Jenni Hermoso after the team’s World Cup victory over Eng…
Read more »
Who are the 15 most interesting players to watch at the 2023 FIBA World Cup?Who are the top 15 World Cup players to watch at the 2023 FIBA World Cup? It expands further than Team USA and Canada.
Read more »
USA vs. New Zealand: Free live stream, TV, how to watch FIBA World CupUSA faces New Zealand in the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Saturday, August 26, 2023 (8/26/23) at Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.
Read more »
Spain's football federation accuses World Cup winner of lying about kiss from presidentSpain’s football federation has threatened to take legal action against one of the country’s star players, Jennifer Hermoso, for her comments about its president Luis Rubiales.
Read more »
China vs. Serbia: Live stream, TV, how to watch FIBA World CupChina faces Serbia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup on Saturday, August 26, 2023 (8/26/23) at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines.
Read more »
Brazil's Marcelo Huertas becomes the second oldest to play in basketball World CupBrazil’s Marcelo Huertas became the second oldest to play in the basketball World Cup in South American's victory over Iran. Huertas is 40 years and 3 months.
Read more »