USA's Steve Kerr: 'We Know We Have to Play Better' in Olympic Knockout Bracket

The United States made it through unscathed in the group stage of the men's basketball tournament at the 2024 Summer Olympics, but head coach Steve Kerr is still expecting to see more once the knockout rounds tip off.

"I think we got done what we wanted to accomplish, winning all three games and securing the top seed," Kerr told reporters. "We know we have to play better. Part of this tournament is it gets harder as you go."

The U.S. not only went 3-0 in Group C but also had a plus-64 point differential. Germany (plus-47) was the next closest country.

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is averaging 14.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists, while the Phoenix Suns' Kevin Durant hasn't missed a beat after returning from a calf injury. Durant is averaging 16.0 points on 63.6 percent shooting, including 71.4 percent from beyond the arc. Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, one of the few bright spots from the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup, is putting up a team-best 16.3 points per game.

To Kerr's point, it might be a stretch to say the United States has been dominant in Paris, however.

Team USA was up just nine points on Serbia at halftime in its first game before the talent gap proved to be too great in the second half. There isn't much to take away from the South Sudan victory, either, because South Sudan is the weakest team in the field. And the final score of Sunday's 104-83 win over Puerto Rico is skewed by Team USA blowing out its foe 39-16 in the second quarter.

The United States can't afford to take its foot off the gas. The road to the gold medal game is only going to get more difficult, and the formula for success won't be as simple as watching the individual talent take over.