Teams USA’s satisfying win over Serbia was insane. Stephen Curry broke out of whatever caused his shooting slump to finish with a game-high 36 points and nine threes. LeBron James was his usual self – facilitating and stretching the floor, directing his troops like the true general he is. Under the guidance of these two, the entire team delivered, getting to their last matchup before clinching that gold. Naturally, as the immediate excitement quietens, the attention turns to the coach. In our case, none other than the 9x champ, Steve Kerr.

Assigned as the head coach of the United States men’s basketball team in 2021, Kerr’s first mission was the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The U.S. came in fourth. And now, he has, perhaps, the most challenging assignment – lead the Dream Team to Team USA’s fifth straight gold. So far, the 58-year-old has been doing a terrific job, no doubt.

Of course, there was that Jayson Tatum controversy in the tournament opener. Then again, with the kind of roster he has, there will be one superstar who will have to bow out. Yet, all the combinations he has put on the floor have largely produced anticipated results. Or has it? Apparently, Chad Ochocinco Johnson, more popularly known as just Ocho, doesn’t believe that to be the case in their semifinals vs Serbia. Joining NFL legend Shannon Sharpe in his popular pod, Nightcap, Ocho had some harsh truths to tell Kerr. “Ain’t no way in hell those boys listen to Steve Kerr! Steve Kerr ain’t running those plays!” 

Surely, this reminds you of a certain ex-Lakers coach? (Hint: smoked meat). Anyway, before we go off-topic, the 6x Pro Bowl Winner had his reason for claiming so. “I guarantee you, if you talk to KD, you talk to Steph or you talk to LeBron, them boys started doing their own thing toward the end and say, ‘You know what? We gotta win this!’ Them boys were playing AAU ball! Hot man get the ball,” Johnson stated.

Ocho’s Steve Ker take might not be too far from the truth

Because “hot man” did indeed get the ball. AAU basketball is famous for its fast-paced, high-scoring, each-man-for-himself kind of play, simply because the kids are playing to impress. A positive impression from these young hoopers’ performances at AAU could very well set them up for a bright future in basketball.

But, of course, that isn’t exactly what went down in Team USA vs Serbia. The 46-year-old’s reference to AAU basketball was more along the lines of high scoring or, in his own words, “hot man get the ball.” As mentioned above, Stephen Curry was practically drilling threes from everywhere and whenever. Yet, Serbia was a team that fought its way to the semifinals, too.

They came firing from downtown, draining 5 treys and shooting 65% as a team in the first quarter. With Curry on a mission, it seemed like Team USA would be able to maintain a close lead even with Nikola Jokić and Co. playing like they did. However, by the end of the first half, Bron’s sharp eyes (and mind) must have gauged that some urgent changes were absolutely necessary. Or else, they might just go down as the biggest flops in the history of USAB!

The horror! The humiliation! Interestingly, the one person least expected to step up (having had enough chances to do so and failing) did so. Joel Embiid. Still at the receiving end of boos from the French crowd for choosing the USA, ‘The Process’ scored a bucket turning the matchup into a one-possession game. Time: 4 minutes. A driving layup for James managed to tie the score at 84.

From there, the fate of Serbia took a drastic turn as a flurry of Kevin Durant and Devin Booker threes put the team up for good. Despite the Europeans trying their best to get back on track, they never got to see the end. And what did the ‘King’ have to say about him taking matters into his own hands? “I’m always trying to be aggressive and make plays for our team, trying to do a little bit of everything on the floor. My teammates believe in me, and I was able to come through for them.”

Thoughts?