By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
Manila, Philippines –How can you express the feeling of starting a game and your opponent having 9/9 threes?
Coach Steve Kerr had a perfect analogy for what happened in the game between USA and Lithuania.
“They just punched us in the mouth,” Kerr said. “They made every shot. I don’t think it was a case of us not being ready. But them playing perfect first quarter and us understanding how hard we’ll have to play to accomplish our goal.”
The only silver lining for the US is that is a defeat without cost. They will be facing Italy in the quarterfinals and from now on it’s win or go home for everyone: “We’re fortunate the loss doesn’t hurt us in terms of our goal, which is to win the gold. But it’s a great game for us to experience. Because this is FIBA. There are some great teams that have continuity and understand what they’re doing. Lithuania was brilliant”.
Watch the upcoming World Cup on the official streaming service of FIBA! Join Courtside 1891 and never miss a second of the action!
Mikal Bridges pretty much agreed with his coach.
Speaking in the mixed zone, he added: “We had some miscommunications and they were hot, they made some tough ones. And these miscommunications made them find a rhythm”.
As Bridges admitted at least the USA is still alive and kicking on the competition: “We just have to be ready for the next one, add more fuel to the fire. We are not getting sent home. We just have to keep playing with our talent, we have to keep our guys out there”.