[Source](https://theathletic.com/4752262/2023/08/05/team-usa-select-team-lineup/)
> On Friday and again Saturday against the U.S. Select Team, Jalen Brunson, Brandon Ingram, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Mikal Bridges started for the national team, which will compete at the FIBA World Cup this month.
>**In Friday’s loss to the Select Team, Cam Johnson was the fifth starter. But in Team USA’s commanding 84-61 win over the Select Team in three, 10-minute periods, Anthony Edwards opened with the starting unit.** The next time the Americans play will be their first exhibition game, at 10:30 p.m. Monday against Puerto Rico, and if consistency in scrimmages means anything the starters will probably come out of those six.
> **“I have nothing set in stone,” Kerr insisted after the Saturday scrimmage.”We’re learning as we go. I thought we learned a lot from yesterday and we’ll learn a lot from today.** It’s great to have these things on tape so we can go back and look at stuff.
>“There will be a lot of really interesting possible combinations just because of the skill these guys have.”
> Kerr was raving about the passing ability the Americans showed through two scrimmages, and there were a number of context clues from commentary on how Team USA’s collective ball movement has allowed the team to bond quickly. “I think passing does that in general,” Kerr said. “When you have good passers, teams connect quickly. … Brandon Ingram made about four drive-and-kicks yesterday that were incredible plays, leading to wide-open shots. Anthony Edwards has really been moving the ball. And some of these guys have it come so naturally to them, Tyrese (Haliburton), Austin Reaves – these guys are great passers. Jalen from the point guard spot. Mikal as well, and you start adding in the bigs. They’re all of a sudden out of a short roll. We’re getting swings to the perimeter. The whole group is connected and it’s really fun to watch.”
>Edwards said he’s “ready to play, whatever they ask me to do. “Score the ball, create open shots for others,” Edwards said, when describing what Team USA has asked him to do. “I can get by my man pretty, pretty easily so get by my man, make the team help and you create shots. I also have to defend, rebound, and just, you know, be a voice.”
>Johnson similarly deflected any intent or desire on the starting lineup question, saying “we have guys that are very versatile across the board, and I think that’s just how we want to play.”
by NokCha_
29 Comments
replacing Cam Johnson with Ant explains why they finally won
I get this the time to experiment but let’s not be too clever guys start Ant
Edwards has to start idk why its difficult to figure it out lol
Any way to watch this game?
It’s not rocket science. Start Ant.
Him having the mentality alone is enough reason to start him!
Even as a die hard UNC fan, Johnson should never ever be ahead of Edwards, in any situation or any scheme lol
What a surprise indeed
In other news, water is wet…
I mean saying Ant started for why they won is a bit too much, they just took them seriously this time.
Where’s my guy Austin Reaves
Anthony edwards is the best player on this team, how kerr dont start him?
Weird that starting good players makes you win
Assuming it wasn’t for rest, they for real snubbed Ant for Cam Johnson and then after they lost that scrimmage he made sure the next was a blow out? Jimmy Butler and MJ tendencies? Maybe I just like male errotica
I find this funny, comparing NBA style of rotation to how all the other FIBA teams play. Like in Euroleague/FIBA teams, starting 5 is not set in stone before the competition. Sure, if you are Slovenia, Luka will start every match, but other than that these things usually change from game to game.
Sheesh, this team would be play-in champs
Yeah idk how anybody looks at that roster and thinks Ant isn’t a bona-fide starter. He’s not the glue between the stones like Bridges, he’s the fucking stones themselves. Ant will be unstoppable in FIBA play imo.
I thought Tyrese will start over Jalen cuz he’s a better connector, but both are very good players tho
Clips!!
Edwards is a homophobe but he’s the best player to fill that spot
The height of American unity lol
Bruh edwards is already better than brunson, ingram, and bridges … why is he only a possible starter
Kerr with his mindgames already.
Most people don’t know this, but in a Warriors pre-draft workout, Kerr told Ant he’s not working hard enough and Ant took it to heart and changed his approach.
Kerr in general is a media savvy guy, so he probably hears the chatter about Ant, and knows how much Team USA is gonna rely on him. I see this as Kerr challenging Ant once again.
Ant is arguably the best player on the roster. Aint no way he doesnt start
i don’t think he is the main reason for the swing
But yes, it is crazy starting cam Johnson over Ants
Kerr might be playing mind games with Ant. I don’t know the guy nor have I watched him a lot, but he seems driven in the “I refuse to lose” kind-of way. Having someone else start over him might be a tactic to get him laser focused and listening to whatever Kerr says.
the time to experiment but let’s not be too clever guys start Ant
the time to experiment but let’s not be too clever guys start Ant
What sort of terrorism is this title