Team USA began their Olympic campaign with a resounding 110-84 victory over Serbia, showcasing a dominant performance that sets the tone for their quest for gold. However, notable by his absence was Jayson Tatum, a first-team All-NBA player and champion. As the game unfolded, head coach Steve Kerr provided some insight into the decision-making process that led to Tatum sitting out.
A Strategic Decision
Kerr had a meeting with Tatum to explain the rationale behind his decision. The coaching staff spent considerable time analyzing matchups and performances from exhibition games, leading Kerr to feature three centers: Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo. This move aimed to counter Serbia's imposing frontcourt players effectively. The strategy paid off as Team USA managed to neutralize Serbia's big men, contributing significantly to their emphatic win.
Despite Tatum's absence, Kerr emphasized the importance of keeping every player involved and ready. "Jayson will play [Wednesday]," said Kerr. "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."
Bench Contributions
A key factor in the victory was the standout performance of Derrick White off the bench. White emerged as a pivotal figure, significantly impacting both ends of the floor. Team USA was plus-15 when White was on the floor, underscoring his value in the rotation. Kerr’s decision to utilize his bench effectively proved instrumental, showcasing the depth and versatility of this Team USA roster.
Kerr's wealth of experience as both an assistant and head coach in international competitions played a crucial role in shaping his decisions. Having served as an assistant coach in the 2019 World Cup in China and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Kerr brought a seasoned perspective to his head coaching duties at the recent World Cup in Manila and now in the Olympics. This experience has undoubtedly influenced his approach to managing the complexities of a star-studded roster.
Upcoming Challenge
Team USA’s next challenge comes in the form of South Sudan, a team that pushed them to a narrow one-point victory in their previous encounter. South Sudan, known for their speed and three-point shooting, drained 14 three-pointers in their previous meeting with Team USA. Kerr acknowledged the unique challenge they present: "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."
Tatum, who averaged 6.7 points in Team USA's five exhibition games and scored nine points in 16 minutes last week in London, will be an essential piece in Kerr's strategy moving forward. The head coach is acutely aware of the difficulty of his role, especially when it involves benching world-class players. "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 reflected.
As Team USA prepares for their upcoming game, Kerr’s balancing act of managing egos, making tactical decisions, and keeping the team focused on the ultimate goal of winning gold will continue to be scrutinized. Nevertheless, with the depth and talent at his disposal, coupled with his strategic acumen, Team USA looks well-equipped to overcome the challenges that lie ahead.