“We talked to them this morning,” Kerr said Friday, 2 August. “We showed the standings. We showed them the point differential. We want that. It gives you the best matchup in the quarterfinals. If we drop down to two or three, which I think is unlikely but we’ve got to take care of our . We possibly have a much tougher opponent.”
Team USA may have to play Saturday 3 August without key defensive ace Jrue Holiday, who Kerr listed as questionable with a sprained ankle. Holiday, coming off winning an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics, has been an indispensable piece for Kerr during the exhibition games and two Group C matchups. The coach said his rotations are yet to be determined if Holiday is unable to go.
Jrue Holiday of Team USA goes for a layup during their Group C game against Serbia on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on 28 July 2024 in Lille, France.
The coherent theme for Team USA has been defensive prowess during the tournament. The club has put together back-to-back 100-plus point games, so scoring is no issue. But Kerr wants to see consistent defense, preventing interior baskets and fast-break points.
“Defense, defense, defense — that’s it,” he said. “We know the history of USA Basketball. We win when we defend well. Our guys are really defending at a high level.”
Kerr admitted he likes the defensive lineups that include Holiday, Celtics teammate Derrick White and Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, who has blended well from being a prolific NBA scorer to utility man for Team USA.
“Being together for a month, you could see the impact,” Kerr said. “Derrick White, Jrue Holiday are making, Book, the on-ball pressure because our identity is defense starts with ball pressure. Those guys are doing a great job, as is Anthony Edwards. With Derrick, with Jrue, they are accustomed to being complementary players to other stars.
“For us, it’s very obvious watching games that having guys in their usual roles is very helpful. It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense for us to put our five leading scorers on the floor from an NBA season because those guys don’t complement each other well.”
Devin Booker of the United States reacts to a three-point basket during their Group C game against Serbia on day two of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade Pierre Mauroy on 28 July 2024 in Lille, France.
