Team USA are keen to lift the 2023 FIBA World Cup title and for that, they need their starting point guard Jalen Brunson in great form. In a squad filled with exceptional talents, it is natural to grow egos when one player is preferred over the other. But Brunson feels that when you are representing USA, egos must be left at the door.
He believes that the bonding in the team is very strong and the players are very much understanding of what they need to do to earn the gold medal on the big stage.
“I think for the most part, guys are smart and so all we have one common goal which is to win and so when it comes to our roles and doing things like that, we have figured a way to kind of understand what the team needs at any given time,” said Brunson in a press conference.
The team here is a culmination of superstars from different NBA teams and it is necessary to identify who is performing better on that particular day. There may be occasions where despite being a starter a player may sit on the bench just because others are having a better day.
“On night it may be somebody, that night maybe somebody else and it’s all about how can we gel to make sure that we’re winning that game and then focus on the next game after and so on,” Brunson said.
Brunson is fighting for the point guard spot with Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton and for him it’s not about getting more minutes but understanding who is more suited to the team and also against the opponents. “I think for us, roles can change any given night. The guys just want to win. Guys just want to put each other in a position to be successful. We have a talented group and we have a smart group that knows that,” he added.
Team USA are favourites to win the FIBA World Cup this year as they have some exceptional players in their roster. Almost all of them on their day can turn matches individually. However, they will have to play as a unit here to lift the prestigious trophy.
Whenever a team is considered as favourites, there is a burden of expectations which gives rise to pressure. However, Jalen Brunson believes there is no such thing if you work hard.
“For me personally, there is no such thing as pressure. I figured out that as long as I am continually working hard on my game, putting everything I can and so what I do on my craft. There’s no such thing as pressure,” he concluded.
Team USA are clubbed in Group C along with Jordan, New Zealand and Greece. They will play New Zealand on August 26 followed by Greece on August 28 and lastly they will face Jordan two days later.
