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Kevin Durant and Draymond Green

Quotes: USA vs Argentina

  • Date:
    Jul 13, 2021

Game Story / Box Score / Photo Gallery

Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat/Kentucky/High Point, N.C.)
What was your focus in today’s game?

Just bringing that energy, really diving in, trying to get in a zone doing the little stuff, just trying to make an impact.

What improvements did you see today?
We had a sense of urgency. I feel like we really honed in and locked in on the defensive side. So, I feel like that’s where we really picked it up, and we got out and ran. On the offensive end, we were just being who we are. We are a special group, so on that side we can be very special. But, we picked it up on defensive side for sure.

How important is transition offense to this team?
You can't really get out and run when the other team keeps scoring. So, we were honing in and trying to get stops, and we did that.

Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets/Texas/Washington, D.C.)
What improvements did you see today?
I liked how we were able to sustain how we played for 40 minutes. We put in a lot of stuff pretty quickly, so for guys to adjust and adapt was good to see, especially after two losses.

How important is transition going to be for this team?
It's very important. Transition only can start if you get stops. We’ve got the most athletic team and guys that can make plays in open court, so we’ve got to utilize that. But, we only can do it if you get stops.

Draymond Green (Golden State Warriors/Michigan State/Saginaw, Mich.)
What improvements did you see today?
I think we really picked it up on the defensive end, pressuring them and taking them out of their sets. Obviously, the majority of these teams have been playing together for years, and they have the things that they want to get to. So, taking them out of their sets was important. And then also, us pushing the pace, getting the tempo of the game where we wanted it. I think most importantly, just continuing to play ourselves into shape, which is big for this group.

How important is the transition, rebounding, getting out on the run?
When we rebound the basketball, and we're kicking it ahead, we're getting out in transition, it's very hard for teams to keep up with us and match our athleticism. Playing against a set defense every play, I don't care how good you are, that’s tough. So, when we can get out, get some easy stuff in transition, it opens up the floor for us.

How important was closing out the second quarter?
Very important. They closed the gap, and we said we wanted to go in (to the halftime locker room) with a 15-point lead, and if I'm not mistaken, it was 16, which was good, and we carried that momentum coming out of the half.

Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls/UCLA/Seattle, Wash.)
What were you focused on coming into the game today?
Just bringing energy. We're all a bunch of scorers out here. We got to be able to play off each of other and complement each other well. When the ball comes, I’ll obviously be ready and still do my thing and score the ball, but bring energy push the pace, pick up full court and turn these guys, try to cause some commotion.

Was defense a focus today?
Yeah, us trying to get in shape and continuing to have that presence throughout the whole game, instead of just in spurts, and I think we did a better job of that today.

How important was it to finish the second quarter strong?
It is good to finish out these quarters strong, especially when you have a lead. It’s hard to play with the lead. Teams obviously want to come back and there are runs throughout the game, but there's certain times when you got to put your foot on the pedal and close out a quarter or a half.

How important was getting a win, or was it more important that you saw improvement?
You never want to lose. We're in a position now where we're just trying to get better and learn before we get to these games that really matter. Now, did we want come out here and make sure that we did win? Of course.




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