Popovich defends his team, USA beat Poland for 7th place in World Cup

BEIJING (AP) – Their last World Cup match was over for several minutes and every member of the US team and his coaching staff were still waiting together on the pitch.

They were ready to go home.

They were just not ready to part ways.

For USA Basketball, the summer ended on Saturday with a 87-74 victory over Poland in the seventh-place World Cup match, the lowest ranking ever won by an American team in a major international tournament . Donovan Mitchell finished with 16 points and 10 assists, Joe Harris scored 14 and the United States ended their stay in China with a 6-2 record.

And when it was over, like his players signed jerseys from each other In the locker room as a souvenir, the American coach Gregg Popovich assured that this team did not have to blush.

"If you do not win, some people will play the blame game," said Popovich. "There is no blame to be placed anywhere.They play the game of shame, as if we should be ashamed of not having won a gold medal?" It is a This is immature – it's arrogant – and it shows that anyone who thinks it does not respect all the other teams in the world and does not respect that these guys have done their job. better. "

Khris Middleton had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists for the Americans. Derrick White scored 12 points and Harrison Barnes added 10 for the United States, who led by 17 points in the half but had to avoid a rally in Poland in the final minutes.

The mantra that the Americans adopted Saturday was to end the trip the right way, and they did it.

"I will come back and have incredible memories," Harris said. "These are truly unique friendships, where we have woven special bonds that have happened together … Some of these guys that I might not have had the chance to know otherwise are now close friends . " It's unique in this way. "

There was little to play except pride – and Americans were playing by realizing that for some of them it might be their last time wearing the red, white uniform and blue with "USA" on the chest. The composition of the US trip to the Tokyo Olympics next summer will likely be very different from this one.

"For me, it's an amazing experience," Mitchell said. "Everyone likes to look at the ultimate goal, but when you think about it, I played in the American team, it's incredible for me, I think it's amazing in itself." So yes, it was well worth it. "

Poland coach Mike Taylor also found the World Cup the most useful, especially on Saturday.

He is an American, he lives in Florida, he is proud of the program he followed in Poland. He knows a lot of words from the Polish national anthem – but he spoke with the words of "The Star-Spangled Banner" when he played before the match.

"I coach with national teams, four years with the Czech Republic and now six years with Poland," said Taylor, slightly cracked voice. "It's a lot of hymns you've heard, and I've never imagined in my life hearing about the US That means a lot and it's not something you take for granted. "

Mateusz Ponitka scored 18 points, Adam Waczynski was 17 and A.J. was born in Louisville. Slaughter finished with 15 for Poland (4-4), who competed in the World Cup for the first time since 1967.

"You look at the United States bench, you see one of Coach Pop's top coaches, you see Steve Kerr, you see all these guys and you can not believe it," Slaughter said. "It will be an unforgettable moment for the rest of my life."

Popovich said that it was too early to think about what USA Basketball should do before getting ready for the Tokyo Games. But he warned – just like double gold medalist Kobe Bryant – that the days of American gold victories are over.

"There are a lot of great teams in the world," said Popovich. "It's not engraved in stone that the United States is supposed to get to a championship – it's a pretty old-school thinking – even the teams that have won in the past have had a lot of trouble." # 39; close calls. "

When the time came for this Tokyo team to come together, Mitchell made it clear that he wanted to be part of the team.

"I think I have to wait until they ask," Mitchell said. "But I want to be there."

TIP-INS

United States: Kemba Walker (neck) did not play, joining his Boston Celtics teammates, Jayson Tatum (left ankle) and Marcus Smart (left hand) on the US injured list. White started in Walker's place as leader. … Timing is paramount – the 6-2 record for the USA was better than Serbia, silver medalist (5-4) and bronze medalist, France (6-3) at the last World Cup World. But losing in the quarter-finals defeated the medal hopes of the United States.

Poland: Three players played at Division I. Slaughter was a four-year-old at Western Kentucky, goalkeeper Karol Gruszecki spent two years at Texas-Arlington and center Dominik Olejniczak began his career at Drake, then played two seasons. to Ole Miss and will play this year at Florida State as a graduate. … Poland started 4-0 in China, then lost their last four games.

SERBIA FIFTH

Serbia lost nine points at half-time to beat the Czech Republic 90-81 in fifth place on Saturday. Bogdan Bogdanovic scored 31 for Serbia and Nikola Jokic finished with seven points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. Patrick Auda scored 16 points for the Czechs.

NEXT

United States: It's qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Poland: will participate in qualifying for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games next year.

___

More NBA AP: https://apnews.com/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports