Team USA Dominates Serbia in Opening Olympic Game
Team USA began their Olympic campaign with a bang, demolishing Serbia 110-84. However, there was a notable absence on the court: first-team All-NBA player and champion Jayson Tatum. Despite this, head coach Steve Kerr's strategy paid off handsomely.
Kerr made the critical decision to bench Tatum for this opener, a move that raised several eyebrows. Kerr later revealed that he had a comprehensive discussion with Tatum about the decision. “Jayson will play [Wednesday],” Kerr assured, indicating that rotational strategy and player management were at the forefront of his mind.
This decision was founded on meticulous analysis by Kerr and his coaching staff, who examined matchups and performances from previous exhibition games. The analysis led Kerr to feature three powerhouse centers: Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo. This trio was strategically chosen to counter Serbia's formidable frontcourt players, a gamble that seemed to pay off.
A standout performer in the game was Derrick White, who emerged as a pivotal figure off the bench. Team USA saw a significant boost with White on the floor, outscoring Serbia by 15 points during his minutes. His contribution underscored the depth and versatility of Team USA’s roster.
Kerr leveraged his extensive experience, having served as an assistant coach in both the 2019 World Cup in China and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. His leadership was further solidified as head coach during the World Cup in Manila last summer. Such pedigree suggests that Kerr is no stranger to making difficult and strategic decisions.
Journalists pressed Kerr about his decision to bench Tatum, but he remained steadfast. “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.”
As Team USA looks ahead to their next game against South Sudan, certain challenges linger. Their previous encounter with South Sudan was anything but a walk in the park, as South Sudan drained 14 three-pointers, pushing Team USA to a narrow one-point victory. Kerr acknowledged this, emphasizing the significance of adapting to South Sudan's rapid style of play. “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 noted.
Despite his limited role in the opener, Tatum remains a crucial asset. Over Team USA’s five exhibition games, he averaged 6.7 points, and last week in London, he logged 16 minutes and scored nine points. His presence on the court will be indispensable against South Sudan, whose athletic and speedy gameplay poses a unique challenge.
The balancing act of managing a roster brimming with world-class talent is no easy feat. Kerr reflected on this complexity, stating, “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.”
Team USA’s victory over Serbia demonstrates their readiness and capability to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. With Kerr at the helm, deploying a mix of strategy, experience, and tactical rotations, the team is poised for a successful Olympic journey. Only time will reveal how these decisions will unfold on the court, but if the opening game is any indicator, Team USA is a force to be reckoned with.