Durant Leads Team USA to Victory Over Serbia
Kevin Durant's return to the court was nothing short of spectacular as he led Team USA to a commanding win over Serbia. Coming off the bench, Durant injected the necessary spark, overshadowing the absence of Jayson Tatum, who remained sidelined throughout the game.
Tatum's situation was evident from the get-go. His finger was heavily wrapped, and he never removed his warmup shirt, signaling that he wouldn't participate. It was a rare sight to see a talent like Tatum's not being utilized in such a crucial match.
Head coach Steve Kerr took to the podium to explain his decision to bench Tatum. "With Kevin coming back, I just went to the combinations that I felt made the most sense," Kerr noted. He admitted the complexities of his decision-making process, stating, "I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything and determined these are the lineups I wanted to get to."
The strategy paid off as Team USA maintained its dominance on the court. Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards were particularly effective, combining for 23 points and hitting 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton did not see any action, underscoring Kerr's point about the challenges of managing minutes. "It's really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than 10 guys," Kerr remarked.
As Team USA prepares for its upcoming game against South Sudan, the tactical puzzles continue for Kerr. His decisions are constantly influenced by matchups, and every game demands a different approach. "Every game's going to be different based on matchups," he emphasized.
Looking ahead, Tatum's potential involvement is expected in the next two group-stage games against South Sudan and Puerto Rico. Kerr voiced his confidence in Tatum's readiness, asserting, "Tatum is going to play." He admitted feeling like "an idiot" for not playing Tatum against Serbia, highlighting the internal struggle coaches often face when making split-second decisions.
The ultimate goal for Team USA is clear: win six games. "Our guys know the key to this whole thing is to put all the NBA stuff in the rearview mirror and just win six games," Kerr stated. With Canada potentially looming as a future opponent, Team USA's defensive schemes will need to focus on point-of-attack pressure, and Kerr is preparing for various scenarios, including a smaller lineup.
The match against South Sudan is set for Wednesday, and it promises to be another test of Kerr's tactical acumen. Whether Tatum will finally take the court remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: every decision will be scrutinized as Team USA aims to maintain its path to victory.