"What we've learned with USA Basketball is that the gap has closed" - Steve Kerr admits the close win over South Sudan was a wake-up call

Where there was plenty to be dissected from Team USA's harrowing 101-100 win over South Sudan in their tune-up game last weekend, one thing was clear: given the right circumstances, the latest edition of the Team USA , despite the presence of transcendent superstars like LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant, can be beaten.

While head coach Steve Kerr held himself and his staff accountable for not preparing the team enough, Team USA's near-loss experience gave the other competing teams, especially legitimate contenders like France and Canada, a glimmer of hope heading into the Paris Olympics .

But Kerr also pointed out that it wasn't just Team USA's shortcomings. It was more about how other countries have improved their basketball programs and closed the talent and skill level gap.

Gap has closed

The 1992 Barcelona Olympics seem like ages ago. Back then, USA Basketball fielded its first all-pro team. With Michael Jordan leading the way, the Dream Team demolished the competition and returned home with gold medals hanging from their necks. Since then, the rest of the world has steadily caught up to the point where a country with a relatively new basketball federation like South Sudan can go toe-to-toe with the mighty Americans.

"What we've learned with USA Basketball is that the gap has closed," Kerr stressed .

Steph Curry, Kerr's ace on the Golden State Warriors, concurred with his coach's assessment. The veteran sharpshooter relayed that if Team USA literally lets its guard down and doesn't buckle down on defense, as they did in the first half against South Sudan, where they trailed by 14 at halftime, they could be in for a long night.

"We can be beat if we don't play our brand of basketball, and our brand of basketball is playing defense," Curry emphasized.

Related: Reggie Miller picks between Anthony Edwards and Luka Doncic: "Give me that 22-year old"

Tricky rotations

Building a solid rotation on a team like Team USA can be tricky, as Kerr sees a superstar everywhere he looks inside the locker room. So far, that has been the case, with Kerr not starting "The King" in the second half and using hockey-style substitution partners to get players into the game.

While the tactic worked against South Sudan, it might not be against one of the other powerhouse teams in the tournament.

"I think, is we've got seven games left after this, so who the hell knows what our rotation's going to look like. It's probably different every game, but we have a pretty good feel for what guys can do when we need a really good defensive stretch, what the game calls for. We've got options, and we like what we have," Kerr asserted.

Despite the rocky build-up towards the Olympics, which included a close call against Australia, Curry can find confidence in the fact that they have another gear they can use if the situation calls for it. With players like Anthony Davis, Devin Booker, and Jrue Holiday on the roster, there is a wealth of talent and experience to pull from when needed.

"We also learned we have that gear if we can find it, no matter who's out there on the court, we can overwhelm teams for 40 minutes, and it's a great reminder of both," Curry shared.

The Olympic basketball tournament looms on the horizon. Team USA is looking to bounce back from its lackluster performance in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where it failed to win a medal. With stars like Steph and LeBron leading the charge and a deep and talented roster, it is poised to reclaim its dominance on the international stage.

Related: LeBron James after Team USA barely beat South Sudan in an exhibition game: "I like those ones better than the blowouts"