Two days after a shut name in opposition to South Sudan, Crew USA returned to O2 Enviornment in London and the Individuals have been examined once more by Germany. Thanks largely to LeBron James’ late-game heroics, they got here away with one other victory. James scored america’ remaining 11 factors within the 92-88 win over the Germans on Monday. It was their remaining exhibition sport earlier than the 2024 Olympics.

James, whom the U.S. Olympic Committee named flag bearer on Monday, led Crew USA with 20 factors on 8-for-11 capturing, plus six rebounds and 4 assists in 20 minutes. Within the span of lower than 4 minutes close to the top of the fourth quarter, James grabbed three defensive rebounds, got here up with a steal and made two layups, a dunk, a 3-pointer and two free throws.

Joel Embiid added 15 factors on 5-for-8 capturing, eight rebounds, 5 assists, a steal and a block in 21 minutes for Crew USA. Stephen Curry did not shoot notably effectively (5 for 13 from 3, 1 for 7 from 3-point vary), however, as typical, his off-ball motion opened issues up offensively — he was plus-10 in 25 minutes.

Germany went on a 16-4 run late within the third quarter and, earlier than James’ takeover, had a one-point lead with lower than 5 minutes left within the fourth. Franz Wagner completed with a team-high 18 factors, seven rebounds, 4 assists and three steals. Dennis Schroder shot poorly (3 for 15, together with 3 for 11 from deep), however obtained into the paint persistently and recorded 10 assists. Moe Wagner had 12 factors and 7 rebounds in 14 minutes off the bench.

Tyrese Haliburton obtained a DNP-CD for Crew USA, as coach Steve Kerr elected to have Derrick White run the second unit. Kevin Durant as soon as once more sat out with a strained calf. He didn’t play in any of Crew USA’s tune-up video games.

The US’ first sport of group play on the Olympics will happen on Sunday in opposition to Serbia at 11:15 a.m. ET. 

All of it begins with protection

After Saturday’s nailbiter, Kerr informed reporters that Crew USA’s protection and energy weren’t as much as par “for the entire first half.” In these respects, they weren’t excellent in opposition to Germany, both, however they have been positively sharper. The overwhelming majority of their spotlight performs have been of the defense-to-offense selection, and, as you are about to see, there have been fairly a number of spotlight performs.

This is James throwing down a reverse dunk off a hit-ahead move from Embiid:

This is Jrue Vacation connecting with James on an alley-oop:

This is a elaborate end from Jayson Tatum off a block by Bam Adebayo:

This is a Curry 3 after a block by James:

This is an Anthony Edwards dunk off a block by Embiid:

All of that occurred within the first half, and I did not even embrace the dunk that Edwards threw down after getting a steal on the level of assault. If it wasn’t abundantly clear already, it ought to now be apparent to everybody concerned with Crew USA that they should dominate in protection and in transition. They nonetheless should work on their decision-making within the halfcourt, however, ideally, they will not should rely on being nice within the halfcourt.

The excellent news is that Kerr appears to be pondering the identical method. He did not resolve to begin the second half with the second unit on the ground this time, however going with White over Haliburton is a transparent sign that defensive — and ball strain specifically — is the precedence.

The dangerous information, from Crew USA’s perspective a minimum of, is that, even with an abundance of size, athleticism and rim safety, they cannot simply anticipate to close all people down. Germany put up 30 factors within the third quarter, and the staff’s means to house the ground 5-out gave america bother. In Lille and Paris, they’ll anticipate to face various groups that play equally, emphasizing ball motion and 3-point capturing.

A math drawback

Talking of 3-point capturing: Crew USA collectively shot 6 for 17 from deep, whereas Germany shot 13 for 43. That could be a wild disparity and an alarming variety of makes an attempt for the Individuals. Curry himself shot 17 or extra 3s in six completely different video games final season with the Golden State Warriors. (NBA video games are eight minutes longer, however in addition they characteristic a 3-point line that’s a couple of foot and a half additional away from the basket.)

A lot of it is a credit score to Germany’s sport plan. They clearly needed to funnel america’ perimeter gamers into lengthy 2s and floaters, and, though a few of these seems to be have been fairly clear, this technique labored.

I’m curious to see what number of different groups play drop protection in opposition to Crew USA’s wings on the Olympics. For gamers like Edwards, Tatum and Devin Booker specifically, taking part in on this staff is an actual change by way of touches and playmaking duty. If they could already be a bit not sure with their shoot-pass selections, ceding them house within the midrange might make them much more susceptible to indecision.

I am unsure how a lot Kerr’s teaching workers will harp on getting extra 3s up within the coming days. Crew USA certainly desires to generate extra catch-and-shoot alternatives than they’ve been, although. Maybe it’s going to occur naturally, as they get extra snug with the offense. If it would not, this shall be an space of concern.

Nothing straightforward

If there’s one bigger-picture takeaway from these exhibition video games, it is that expertise alone — even an astonishing quantity of expertise — just isn’t essentially sufficient. USA Basketball has assembled its most star-studded roster because the unique Dream Crew, however that does not assure gold. Sure, Crew USA will  be large favorites in France, and no, I would not choose in opposition to them. However it’s not in the least tough to think about them shedding. We simply noticed them narrowly escape defeat twice.

Earlier than Monday, the final time america confronted Germany was final September within the semifinals of the FIBA World Cup. Germany gained, after which it gained gold, so it isn’t like Crew USA had any motive to underestimate them this time. And though this model of Crew USA was coming off that scare in opposition to South Sudan, they weren’t capable of make some kind of large assertion with a blowout win.

Crew USA ought to anticipate tense moments on the Olympics, and in that sense they need to be happy to have been in a few dicey conditions (albeit with out the stakes) in London. For USA Basketball, this state of affairs could possibly be a bit worrying. For these of us who simply need the video games to be aggressive, although, it is fantastic.