Coach Kerr Reveals the Winning Formula Under FIBA Rules: Focus on Defense and Rely on the Hottest Hand on Offense

Earlier, USA Basketball head coach Steve Kerr claimed that they have figured out the key to winning in international competition, providing an explanation.

On Monday, Kerr told reporters, “We know how to win games under FIBA rules. We need to focus entirely on defense… and then, the depth of our team as well as our talent advantage can come into play. We have many players who can step up in every game.”

In summary, Kerr has been dedicated to developing lineup combinations centered around defense. Team USA does not run any complex tactical systems; essentially, they share the ball and rely on whoever is playing well at the time.

In their three games in France, three different players led the team in scoring: Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Edwards, all coming off the bench.

At the same time, ten different players averaged at least seven points per game. All ten players averaged at least six shots per game, with no one averaging more than ten. This ensured excellent offensive efficiency – a team shooting percentage of 54%.

This approach has resulted in an 8-0 record over the past month (including exhibition games).

“This is how we can overwhelm opponents. Everyone must be ready at all times, no matter when opportunities arise,” said Stephen Curry, who had a poor shooting performance in the Olympics (a field goal percentage of 32%), but this did not slow down the team’s progress.

“I think it’s a challenge because you don’t know from quarter to quarter or game to game who will step up, [but] it’s a fun way to play. We are committed to ‘winning games’ and don’t care what it looks like.”

Defensively, Team USA limited opponents to a 40% shooting percentage and 29% from three-point range. They averaged 16 steals and assists combined per game.

Eleven players averaged between 18 and 22 minutes per game, indicating that Kerr prioritizes size in his rotations, often using three centers at different times.

While Team USA doesn’t have the core group of players who have played together for years like some other teams in the Olympics, everything the coaching staff has done over the past month has been purposeful, aimed at establishing a reliable game plan and sticking to it.

To date, Team USA has been slightly outrebounded by opponents, 124 to 123, allowing 14 offensive rebounds per game. Brazil averages 13 offensive rebounds, and Kerr said he expects Brazil to “attack” Team USA on the boards.

Although this might be a point of emphasis, he won’t make fundamental changes to the game plan because of it.

“Looking ahead, we just need to stay focused on the main objective,” said Adebayo, quoting a phrase from his time with the Miami Heat. “We can make the game very simple for ourselves because we’re so talented, but everyone needs to have the right mindset.”

In the past 14 days, Team USA played three games, and now they need to win three games in five days to claim the gold medal.