"Think about it," U.S. assistant coach Chris Collins said, "how many times during an 82-game season do guys like Kobe and LeBron catch the ball and nobody's on them? Maybe 10? These guys are so used to being smothered, or looking for a double team, that the biggest adjustment is catching the ball and being ready to shoot. Not one dribble, or one fake, just catch and shoot."
So all this week, coach Mike Krzyzewski and his assistants are using drills and spot-shooting, often focusing on drive-and-kick penetration, in an attempt to turn a group of slashing scorers into a bunch of tall, freakishly athletic Steve Kerrs. Stand there. Catch. Shoot.