Team USA launched their Olympic campaign with a resounding statement, thrashing Serbia 110-84 in a dominant performance. Despite the comprehensive victory, the absence of Jayson Tatum from the game raised several eyebrows, given his status as a first-team All-NBA player and champion. Head coach Steve Kerr later clarified the decision, revealing that tactical considerations were at play.
Strategic Decisions Pay Off
Steve Kerr, who has experience as an assistant coach in the 2019 World Cup in China and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, and was the head coach at the World Cup in Manila last summer, made a calculated decision to sideline Tatum. “Jayson will play [Wednesday],” Kerr assured, addressing the speculation. “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.”
The coach’s strategic assessment of matchups and performances from exhibition games led him to prioritize other frontcourt options. Kerr’s plan involved featuring three dominant centers: Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo. This trio was chosen to effectively counter Serbia's imposing frontcourt.
Moreover, Kerr’s adjustments seemed to pay dividends, with Derrick White emerging as a pivotal figure off the bench. Team USA was significantly better when White was on the floor, boasting a plus-15 margin in those minutes. With such performances, Kerr’s tough choices were vindicated.
Tactical Brilliance
Kerr’s tactical acumen was evident throughout the game. The varying lineup and the excellent execution by his players illustrated his basketball intellect. However, Kerr is all too aware of the challenges each game presents, especially with his team’s upcoming encounter against South Sudan.
“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 explained. He acknowledged the fine line he must tread when deciding who plays. “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.”
Looking Ahead: South Sudan Challenge
Team USA’s next game against South Sudan is poised to be a challenging affair. In their previous encounter, South Sudan drained 14 three-pointers and pushed Team USA to a narrow one-point victory. Given their speed and scoring ability, they present a different set of challenges compared to Serbia.
Tatum's role will be crucial in addressing these new challenges. This is especially pertinent as he averaged 6.7 points in Team USA's five exhibition games and played 16 minutes, scoring nine points last week in London. His presence on the court could be a decisive factor in countering South Sudan’s speed and shooting prowess.
As Team USA prepares for their next game, Kerr’s experience and strategic nous will be key. The ability to adapt and make the hard choices will determine if Team USA can continue their winning ways. The stakes are high, but with Kerr at the helm and Tatum’s forthcoming involvement, Team USA's path looks promising.