By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
With the prep game against Greece on the books, USA coach Steve Kerr has already decided on his starting five per ESPN.
“It’s so hard because you only have a couple of weeks and then you jump right into the tournament,” Kerr said. “So I like the stability of that [starting] group.”
Per the report: “The team is settling into patterns, which can be so valuable in these tight prep windows. Anthony Edwards, who came in as the team’s second-leading scorer, led them with 21 points (three 3-pointers) in just 18 minutes. Mikal Bridges, who came in ridiculously efficient shooting 68% in the first games, was efficient again as he made 3 of 5 shots and scored 10.
The other three starters — Jalen Brunson, Brandon Ingram, and Jaren Jackson Jr. — generally showed the good ball and body movement and active defense that has largely been a feature of the past two weeks in these exhibitions”.
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So that’s expected to be the starting lineup when the U.S. opens the World Cup on Aug. 26 against New Zealand in Manila, Philippines.
“I feel like we got it going pretty good,” Edwards said. “The whole coaching staff does a great job to make sure we know the [play]. You know, we really like each other too, so we don’t mind sharing the ball and making the extra pass. So I think it’s going pretty well.”