Steve Kerr: 'I Love' That Anthony Edwards Views Himself as Team USA's 'No. 1 Option'
USA National Team head coach Steve Kerr says he loved that Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards referred to himself as Team USA's "No. 1 option" ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
"I want them to bring their very best selves. I love that Anthony Edwards said he's the No. 1 option... I want him to think that way," Kerr said Tuesday (h/t USA Basketball reporter Mason Williams.) "And I want five, six other guys to feel that way too."
Kerr continued: "That's the beauty of being on this team. These guys, they're all capable of taking over a game. And I think as they go, they realize that mentality, that aggressiveness, is actually a good thing, because they're all committed to each other. They don't want to disappoint one another. They want to make sure they're bringing their best energy, best game to the floor every night for their team."
The Golden State Warriors and Team USA head coach was referring to Edwards' comments this weekend during Olympic team basketball camp in Las Vegas.
"I'm still the No. 1 option," Edwards said Sunday (h/t the Washington Post's Ben Golliver.) "Y'all might look at it differently."
Edwards continued: "I just go out there and be myself. Shoot my shots, play defense. They've got to fit in to play around me. That's how I feel."
Kerr has yet to decide who will start— as well as who will close out the game— when Team USA begins group stage competition against Serbia on July 28.
In addition to this weekend's training camp, Kerr will get the chance to see how Edwards and the rest of the star-studded roster fit together Wednesday during an exhibition game against Canada.
