For the first time in history, Team USA suffered defeat at the FIBA World Cup. Head coach Steve Kerr and his boys went down in a totally unexpected 110-104 loss against a determined Lithuania side on Sunday.
You just know that the fans were going to point fingers after this defeat, and unfortunately for him, it was Coach Kerr who drew the ire of American supporters.
Team USA Suffers Stunning Defeat Vs. Lithuania
Simply put, the Americans were outplayed by their opponents in this one. Team USA just didn’t know what hit them as Lithuania poured it on from the get-go. After the first quarter, Jonas Valanciunas and Co. had already amassed a 31-12 advantage. At one point, the lead even went up to 21.
Team USA tried to mount a comeback led by Minnesota Timberwolves superstar Anthony Edwards. His 35 points were put to waste, though, as the Americans failed to overcome Lithuania’s massive lead. They were able to cut the lead down in the final period, but ultimately, their comeback effort fell short.
Fans Slam Steve Kerr for Team USA’s Shocking Performance
Someone had to take the blame for this one. New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson came out to say that this loss was on him, but the fans had other ideas. Supporters were quick to bring out the pitchforks on Steve Kerr as they ripped the four-time NBA champion coach on Twitter:
Congratulations Steve Kerr. You just lost to a country with a population about the same size as Brooklyn.
Hard to believe someone who sees so much wrong with this country would want to represent it. And very poorly at that. pic.twitter.com/uOkKjvOI4n
— Jackson Mehoffer (@MehofferSat) September 3, 2023
Team USA lost to Lithuania, I think we can all agree it’s time for Steve Kerr to step down and let a real coach take over pic.twitter.com/5XzmKWKIsc
— Jai (@Jai_305_) September 3, 2023
Shut the hell up, Steve Kerr. Your refusal to adjust against gigantic juggernauts like Lithuania & playing JJJ out of position & having Austin Reaves guard against players bigger than him proves that your unhealthy sexual obsession of small-ball isn't gonna do shit. https://t.co/DNY0x2li0q
— Some guy who hates scrub players 🇺🇸 🇵🇭 (@phillydilly0) September 3, 2023
Steve Kerr in the locker room after USA's loss to Lithuania… pic.twitter.com/aRQi9PfzwP
— NBA Memes (@NBAMemes) September 4, 2023
Steve Kerr was outcoached by Darvin Ham. I'm not surprised he's getting dominated by the Lithuanian Coach. 😅
— James M. (@santimags3) September 3, 2023
A lot of other fans were quick to point out how Kerr has been struggling without his beloved Stephen Curry in the picture:
Team USA looks like a Steve Kerr coached Warriors team without Steph Curry right now. 😭 pic.twitter.com/iFQHuKnz25
— 🟣🏀 Chris (@HoopSpaces) September 3, 2023
Steve Kerr trying to remember how to draw a play that doesn’t involve Steph Curry and a moving screen
— Villain aka Threat (@uHThreaT) September 3, 2023
Steve Kerr without curry pic.twitter.com/CoK09Nrkpj
— 🃏 (@llMcbucketsll) September 3, 2023
Steve Kerr without steph curry and Michael Jordan would be coaching some d3 college yelling about ball movement. Biggest fraud since the democrats stole Philadelphia
— sprotzbettor (@sprotzbettor) September 3, 2023
Now that’s savage.
The good news for Kerr and Co. is that Team USA is still on track to win a gold medal in the FIBA World Cup. I wonder if the naysayers will change their tune if and when this happens.
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