Team USA is one game away from winning the gold medal after they narrowly escaped Serbia in their semi-final duel, 95-91. Some fans may have found it nerve-wracking to see a team full of NBA superstars struggle to keep up against a Serbia team they comfortably beat last time out.
It had to take an incredible effort from Stephen Curry to force their way back into the game and secure their ticket to the gold-medal match. While it was an inspiring performance, it did show the team’s major weaknesses that France can attack when they meet in the final.
Everyone on the roster understands that facing France and Victor Wembanyama would pose problems that are completely different from when they squared off against Serbia’s Nikola Jokic.
Mike Cruz of Give Me Sport wrote a detailed analysis of the USA-Serbia game and identified key factors that would help the Americans win.
3 things Team USA must do to win the gold medal against France
Stick to your best players
While it’s true that Team USA has one of the most star-studded rosters in the entire competition, Serbia still managed to push them to the brink with only Nikola Jokic being te team’s bona fide star.
Cruz wrote that Kerr must stick with a core group of players if he wants the Americans to go home with the gold:
If there is one lesson for Kerr to take away from this game, it’s this: just play the best players. There’s no point in giving too many guys 15 to 20 minutes every game, especially at this stage of the tournament.
Optimize defense and transition play
A key factor to Team USA’s comeback win against Serbia was the team’s multiple defensive stops that led to easy buckets in transition. Since the team is made up of the best players the NBA has to offer, the points were secured once any of the players get into open space.
Team USA’s coaching staff must ensure that the players play disciplined defense and have a quick and efficient transition game to blindside a tough France team.
Prepare for France’s physicality
There’s no question that Victor Wembanyama will be a major problem for France to deal with, but he’s not the only player the United States must be wary of. Every Les Bleus player is committed to playing a physical brand of defense that the team may not be used to.
Every player on the Team USA roster must be prepared to play a grittier brand of basketball than what they’re used to in the NBA. While this would be a rough 40-minute ride for every player on the roster, it’s important that they stick to their guns if they want to take home the gold medal from this year’s Olympics.
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