Tough win over Montenegro makes Team USA better, says Steve Kerr

Team USA coach Steve Kerr during a game against Montenegro in the Fiba World Cup second round. FIBA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines-Coach Steve Kerr feels that the challenging win over Montenegro will only make Team USA better heading into the quarterfinals of the Fiba World Cup.

The United States prevailed, 85-73, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, but not after spending most of the game trying to solve Montenegro’s size advantage before pulling away in the latter stages that kept the team’s unbeaten slate in the tournament.

Having won by a combined margin of 103 points in completing a three-game sweep of the opening round, Kerr said that the somewhat close call against Montenegro was a welcome change.

“I think you definitely get better with a game like this, rather than a 40-point victory because you have to feel it,” Kerr said. “You have to go through an experience where it’s a tight game, where every possession matters. That’s where you improve.

“So I love the way our guys finished the game, and that alone makes us better because of the experience of a tight, close game,” added the Team USA mentor.

Team USA guard Anthony Edwards (10) shoots in front of Montenegro center Nikola Vucevic (4) during the second half of a Basketball World Cup second round match in Manila, Philippines Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Anthony Edwards and Austin Reaves made crucial shots in the end as the Americans improved to 4-0 going into Sunday’s tussle with Lithuania.

Lithuania also won its fourth in as many games after pulling away for a 92-67 rout of Greece in the other game. The winner gets the top spot in Group J.

The Americans trailed at the half for the first time in the tournament at 39-38, and Kerr and his staff had to make key adjustments to eventually wear down Montenegro.

At some points, Team USA elected to put Josh Hart to guard the bigger Montenegrins led by fellow NBA player Nikola Vucevic in order for starting center Jaren Jackson Jr. to be able to hold his own in the paint.

“We switched the matchups a little bit and tried to give them a different look,” said Kerr. “They were posting us on every play, so we changed the scheme a little bit in the second half. Our guards did a good job of fighting Vucevic, and that allowed JJ {Jackson) to roam off his guy. We just want to change it a little bit.”