Team USA is adjusting not only to international play but also to each other, and this might be an even harder task.

Steve Kerr, coaching Team USA for the second summer in a row, summed up the challenge.

“That’s the job, right? We’ve got 12 All-Stars if not All-Stars, world-class players and champions,” said Kerr. “I think for the guys on Team USA, there’s a certain amount of relief that comes with not having to bear the full responsibility of the franchise.”

“You know, these guys get to lean on each other, every game is different, they get to throw all the other nonsense out the window. Because none of it matters. The only thing that matters is winning a gold medal. So there’s a beauty to it, a purity to it, and I think our guys are really embracing that.”

Steve Kerr admits it’s a challenge to coach star-studded USA team

“And then it’s our job as a staff to make sure we’re keeping everybody engaged and ready. Because, again, we’re going to need all 12 guys. It’s just the way this tournament and FIBA tournaments work. You need everybody,” Kerr continued.

Stephen Curry, playing in his first Olympics, also highlighted the challenge of coming together.

“It’s like playoff basketball. Different dimensions on the court, shorter time frame, 48 to 40 minutes, physical brand of basketball,” Curry noted. “But the biggest adjustment for us is to put all our different skill sets together on the fly. Like if this team had a full year of training and chemistry and all that, we wouldn’t be talking about the adjustment that much.”

Joel Embiid, the Philadelphia 76ers’ center, is enjoying the new experience.

“This is a different setting. This is a great setting for me because I’m playing with a lot of great players,” said Embiid. “It’s all about finding ways to bring whatever I can and, obviously, make sure that we win. That’s all there is.”

“In the NBA, I’m used to being the guy. Now, you gotta give it up, so I’m loving it.”

For Embiid, this experience is also about preparing for the NBA season

“Especially going into next year, having Tyrese [Maxey], PG [Paul George]. Especially Tyrese, I really want him to take the next step. I got to do as much as I can and then just be there, support, do what I have to do and still dominate. But I really want to make sure I empower my teammates, so this is a great experience for me,” Embiid said.

Joel Embiid adjusts to a new role in Team USA

Team USA beat Serbia 110-84 on Sunday and is preparing for a second game of Group C against South Sudan on Wednesday.

They met the African nation in a friendly game in London ten days ago and barely won 101-100.

“They came within one shot of beating us,” said Kerr. “So I’m really glad that we played them so we could feel their speed and their three-point shooting ability, feel how good they are. And I think we’ll be much better prepared tomorrow, but it doesn’t guarantee anything.”