In a dominating start to their Olympic campaign, Team USA delivered a 110-84 thrashing to Serbia, making a strong statement regarding their gold medal intentions. Notably, Jayson Tatum, one of the most prominent stars on the roster, did not feature in the game. This strategic decision was made by head coach Steve Kerr, who has utilized his extensive experience to make tough choices aimed at maximizing team performance.
A Calculated Decision
Steve Kerr, the man at the helm, had a detailed conversation with Tatum to explain his rationale for benching the first-team All-NBA player and champion. "Jayson will play [Wednesday]," Kerr assured, adding, "I'm not going to answer your next question, which is if he plays, who doesn't. But we're going to need him, and part of this job for me is to keep everybody engaged and ready, because my experience with this is crazy stuff happens."
Kerr's decision was calculated and went beyond just Tatum's benching. The coach and his staff meticulously analyzed matchups and performances from exhibition games, concluding that they needed to feature three centers—Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo—to counter Serbia's imposing frontcourt players. The move paid off handsomely.
The Bench Factor
One of the standout elements of Team USA’s victory was the contribution from Derrick White off the bench. White emerged as a pivotal figure, with his time on the floor significantly impacting the game. Team USA was plus-15 when he was playing, highlighting his importance in their game plan.
Balancing such a talented roster comes with its own challenges, as Kerr admitted. "The hardest part of this job is you're sitting at least a couple of guys who are world-class, some of the very best players on Earth. On one hand, it makes no sense at all. On the other, I'm asking these guys to just commit to winning one game and then move on to the next one. I have to do the same thing. And so I felt like last night those were the combinations that made the most sense," Kerr explained.
Experienced Leadership
Kerr's experience as an assistant coach in the 2019 World Cup in China and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, as well as his head coaching stint at last summer's World Cup in Manila, has equipped him well to make such high-stakes decisions. His ability to adapt and manage a roster full of elite talent is a testament to his coaching acumen.
Looking ahead, Team USA will be facing South Sudan in their next game. South Sudan has proven to be a formidable adversary, pushing Team USA to a narrow one-point victory and draining 14 three-pointers in their previous encounter. Their speed poses a specific challenge, something Kerr is acutely aware of. "With South Sudan, it's more about the speed, and speed is a killer. You have to be prepared for everything, and that means we need everybody," Kerr said, underscoring the need for a well-rounded strategy.
Tatum’s Role Moving Forward
Despite Tatum's absence in the opening game, his role in the team remains significant. In Team USA's five exhibition games, Tatum averaged 6.7 points, and last week in London, he played 16 minutes and scored nine points. Kerr’s reassurances suggest that Tatum will have a critical part to play as the tournament progresses.
Overall, Team USA’s commanding performance against Serbia sets a high bar for their Olympic journey. With a tactician like Steve Kerr at the helm and a deep bench that can impact the game significantly, the team looks well-prepared to tackle the challenges ahead. As they gear up for their next game against South Sudan, the focus will be on maintaining the momentum and ensuring that every player, from starters to benchwarmers, is ready to contribute.