By Alfredo Echenique
Aug 29, 2023, 20:34 PM EDT
The United States had two overwhelming victories at the beginning of this Basketball World Cup, first in the debut against New Zealand 99-72 and then against Greece 109-81. Steve Kerr’s team works great despite not having big stars.
However, one of the starting players is still not showing his best version, and despite the fact that together they work well and have won both of their games, Brandon Igram is frustrated that he cannot help his team more.
The USA Basketball Team forward had a weak debut with just 2 points, 2 rebounds and 3 assists. Then against Greece he had a similar performance with 5 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. The player himself expressed the frustration he currently feels in an interview for the newspaper The Athletic.
“This is totally different from what I’m used to,” the New Orleans Pelicans player started commenting. “The team is winning, so I can’t be selfish thinking about myself. But right now it’s a bit frustrating, and I’m just trying to be effective,” he explained.
Although the team’s spotlight is currently on Austin Reaves and Jalen Brunson; The 25-year-old forward believes that taking another role within the quintet and from there contributing what is necessary despite not being the one with the best numbers.
“I know who I am. In a way I can get stuck and think that my form is the best. But this is learning. I get to see everyone work. See everyone’s weaknesses and strengths. So I can take it back to my team. Be smart about it,” he concluded.
Steve Kerr doesn’t trust himself
Despite the fact that the United States has secured its qualification to the next phase after winning its first two games in the group stage, the strategist for the Golden State Warriors and the US team does not trust anything, much less after the Elimination of France in the group stage.
“All our boys saw the result in France. It’s a good reminder to all of us that you can’t relax in any match in this tournament. The level of the competition is much better now than it was eight years ago. There are a lot of really good talents around the world, also very good coaches. We are going to have to play well for 40 minutes to win,” Kerr explained to The Athletic.
The United States will go this Wednesday against Jordan to close group C of the competition. Then the second round will begin in which they will have to face Montenegro, Lithuania and the second in group C.
Keep reading:
Breaking through to second round: USA feasted on Greece
· “It is not easy to put together the starting five”, Steve Kerr is still looking for the starting team of the United States team for the Basketball World Cup
· How, when and where: Everything you need to know about the 2023 Basketball World Cup in the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia