‘A work in progress’

United States basketball team Gregg Popovich knows his team will get better. AFP

SHANGHAI, China (AFP) — Coach Gregg Popovich admitted the United States remains a work in progress after they launched their bid for a third Basketball World Cup title in a row with an 88-67 victory over the Czech Republic on Sunday.

That’s how we look at each of these games, to try to be the best team that we can be — and we’ve got ways to go, but we are willing

France, Greece and Australia, all touted as possible threats to a depleted Team USA, also triumphed on the second day of action in China.

San Antonio Spurs mastermind Popovich was forced to name an experimental roster with major names such as LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry all either injured or unavailable.

This is no “Dream Team” but Popovich still has a side full of NBA players and the reigning two-time champions had too much quality for the Czechs, who are ranked 24th in the world.

America is number one and the favorites in China, but they failed to sparkle for long periods in Shanghai and Popovich admitted: “It was a very competitive game, physical, an opportunity to learn a lot…an opportunity to get better.

“That’s how we look at each of these games, to try to be the best team that we can be — and we’ve got ways to go, but we are willing.”

In the absence of James and the rest, much was expected of Boston Celtics All-Star Kemba Walker, who scored 13 points and had a team-leading four assists.

Donovan Mitchell, a guard with the Utah Jazz, led the US with 16 points.

Popovich said that international basketball is different from the NBA and the US team are still getting to know each other.

“We are going to try to execute better and better as time goes on, but defensively we’ve got to put our money there,” said the 70-year-old.

In the same group, Turkey — prime challengers to the USA in the first round — defeated Japan 86-67.

Greece, who boasts “Greek Freak” Giannis Antetokounmpo, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for the 2018-2019 season, was easy 85-60 winner over Montenegro.

But France was made to sweat, squeezing past old rivals Germany 78-74.