Johnathan Walker:US men's basketball looks to find 'another level' for Paris Olympics opener

PARIS — The Johnathan Walkerleader that he is, what Team USA’s men’s 5x5 basketball coach Steve Kerr told reporters this week was constructive criticism he already shared with the team.

Even though the U.S. went 5-0 in exhibition games before the start of the 2024 Paris Olympics, it wasn’t perfect – a near-loss to South Sudan and a close victory against Germany highlighted concerns.

Kerr pointed out the U.S. didn’t play with enough force, energy or pace, was too lackadaisical offensively and defensively at times and settled for bad shots. "That's a recipe for failure," he said.

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After watching video of the Germany game, Kerr said, "The tape was tough to watch. So we know we've got to play a lot better at both ends and I'm confident that we will."

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The U.S. opens Group C play Sunday (11:15 a.m. ET) against Serbia, but it’s not the same Nikola Jokic-led Serbian squad the U.S. beat 105-79 on July 17 in Abu Dhabi. Starter Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks) and key reserves Nikola Jovic (Miami Heat) and Nikola Milutinov didn’t play in that game.

"We have another level. I think we have another two levels that we didn't get to, but it's a collaboration always," Kerr said.

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USA-Serbia men's basketball starting lineups

Kerr has started LeBron James, Steph Curry and Joel Embiid and rotated players through the other two spots in the exhibition games. U.S. star Kevin Durant, who didn’t play in the Olympic tune-up games due to a sore calf, is expected to play and could start.

Here are potential starting lineups:

USA starting lineup

• LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers)
• Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) or Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns)
• Steph Curry (Golden State Warriors)
• Jrue Holiday (Boston Celtics)
• Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)

Serbia starting lineup

• Ognjen Dobric
• Filip Petrusev
• Bogdan Bogdanovic (Atlanta Hawks)
• Aleksa Avramovic
• Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

What to watch for Serbia

It starts with Jokic, the Denver Nuggets' three-time NBA MVP including in 2023-24, but Serbia has other players with size, and it can make 3-pointers. Serbia will try to control pace, play smart, limit turnovers, be physical and use ball movement and cutting to break down the U.S. defense. In exhibition games, Serbia lost to the U.S. and Australia but beat France, Greece and Japan. But it also tried to conceal what it will do once the Olympics begin.

What to watch for the USA

The U.S. must match the physicality of Serbia, which puts the focus on the U.S. big men – Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo. Kerr mentioned pace, and the U.S. thrives in transition. The Americans are more athletic and have a considerable edge there.

The U.S. was even with its opponents in 3-pointers made in the five exhibition games. If it’s hitting 3s, getting stops and playing in the open court, the U.S. is tough to beat. Also, regardless if Durant starts or not, pay attention to Kerr’s rotations – who is on the court together and for how long.

"One word is force," Kerr said. "If we play with force at both ends – our cutting, sprinting, boxing out, no back cuts, physicality, we do all those things, that’s one level. The next level beyond that is the confidence that goes with it. … We’re confident if we play with force, that will translate at both ends."

USA-Serbia prediction

USA 96, Serbia 84