Dub Hub: Steve Kerr takes blame for Team USA’s flat performance vs South Sudan

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, July 22nd.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Following their narrow 101-100 victory over South Sudan this past weekend, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr takes blame for the team’s flat performance saying he “did not do a great job” preparing the team.
• Warriors “more willing” to trade Jonathan Kuminga than Brandin Podziemski in a potential Lauri Markkanen deal, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
• Celtics sign Sam Houser to a 4-year, $45 million extension, per The Athletic.

Team USA edged out South Sudan 101-100 in their fourth exhibition game ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The star-studded American squad found themselves fighting a surprisingly uphill battle after trailing by as much as 16 points during Saturday’s matchup. They struggled against South Sudan’s combination of length and athleticism but managed to claw their way back to a situation down one point with 20 seconds left in regulation.

With the game on the line, LeBron James dribbled the ball up the court to set up Team USA’s final offensive possession. Head coach Steve Kerr — utilizing a familiar strategy to Golden State Warriors fans — opted to use Stephen Curry and Anthony Davis as decoys off the ball. This drew the attention of any potential weak-side help, clearing the path for James to score the go-ahead basket at the rim.

Despite securing the victory, Kerr took accountability for Team USA’s flat performance, blaming himself for “not doing a great job” preparing the team for Saturday’s game.

Via The Athletic:

“I did not do a great job preparing our team,” American coach Steve Kerr said. “I think we did not focus enough on what they’re capable of and that’s on me.”

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, July 22nd:

Warriors News:

Team USA survives scare from South Sudan, storms back to avoid stunning upset | The Athletic

Kerr said the Americans didn’t use their one practice in London to prepare properly. He said part of it was the dominant victory Wednesday in Abu Dhabi, followed by the long flight Tuesday from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom, which he said set the stage for a “letdown.”

But rather than pack it in and chalk it up as a loss in a game that didn’t count, the whole American team — coaches and players — played to win. Kerr swapped out his starters for the second unit to start the second half and also changed out second-string point guard Tyrese Haliburton for Derrick White to crank up the ball pressure even more on Jones and Shayok.

“This team was quicker than the teams we played so far, and we had a really hard time guarding the ball the first half and because of that, they were getting open for 3s,” Kerr said. “One thing we know well with USA basketball, if teams are going to make 14 3s on us, then they’ve got a real shot.”

The latest NBA free agency, extensions and trade talk coming out of Las Vegas | The Stein Line

Yet there is also a growing belief leaguewide that the Warriors would be more willing to move Jonathan Kuminga in a Markkanen trade — or any big-swing deal — than Podziemski. To this point, however, it must be noted that Golden State’s offers for Markkanen have centered around a package featuring Moses Moody and draft compensation without including Podziemski or Kuminga.

Warriors rookie Post makes solid first impression in Summer League debut | NBC Sports Bay Area

“The biggest thing we saw right away is that offensively he was what we’re hoping he can be,” Harris said. “Moves well, can run up and down the floor and he can pass. He handles the ball for a big guy and, obviously, shoots the three well. The offensive side, we feel pretty good about.

“On the other hand, defensively he’s going to have to learn some concepts on how to play defense in the NBA at the center position. He was caught out of position a few times, but part of that is natural and can be overcome. The other thing is to see him concentrate on rebounding, being able to rebound his position.”

What we learned as Dubs’ stellar Summer League ends in semifinal loss | NBC Sports Bay Area

Former first-round pick turned journeyman Kevin Knox did all he could get Golden State to the championship in Sin City. Knox scored a game-high 31 points in 30 minutes off the bench on 12-of-17 shooting and was 5 of 10 behind the 3-point line. Knox also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds.

The fourth quarter was pure chaos and frustration as the Warriors were outscored 37-29 after leading by five entering the final frame.

A combination of turning the ball over twice as much as the Heat – 16 to 8 – and shooting 23.5 percent on 8-of-34 shooting on threes led the Warriors to a tough loss. Pat Spencer scored 14 points for Golden State, but was a team-low minus-11.

Quinten Post in his second Summer League game scored 10 points in 15 minutes.

Klay Thompson posts about playing against the Warriors next season

NBA News:

Steve Ballmer expects Clippers to contend despite losing Paul George | ESPN

“I love Paul,” Ballmer said. “Let’s start with Paul as a human being. Paul is a great human being, and I’ve really enjoyed my opportunity to get to know Paul’s family. So on a personal level, I hated it. I hated it.

“From a basketball perspective, Paul is a fantastic player, future Hall of Famer. But we knew we needed to continue to get better. And with the new CBA, what tools, what flexibility [can be restricted], we made Paul what I consider a great offer. But it was a great offer in terms of us thinking about how to win championships. It wasn’t what Paul wanted.”

Sam Hauser, Celtics agree to fully-guaranteed 4-year, $45 million extension: Sources | The Athletic

Hauser is entering the final season of his contract for the 2024-2025 season at the minimum and is now committed to the Celtics until the summer of 2029. While Hauser will be making an average annual value of just over $11 million a year, his extension means the Celtics project to have a payroll of at least $225 million in the ’25-26 season. That would come with a $210 million luxury tax penalty, the highest in NBA history.

Cavs’ Evan Mobley agrees to a five-year $224 million extension with the team, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Buddy Hield is OK not being the best shooter on his team

No one can replace Klay Thompson, just like no one can match Steph Curry’s shooting. But for two years and $21 million, the Warriors have to be pleased by getting Kirkland-brand Steph Curry. Hield is like the Costco version of the baby-faced assassin: Maybe he’s not the absolute top of the line, but the Dubs are getting a lot of volume at a respectable level of quality. For a team that’s starting to shop within a budget, he’s a great addition.

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.