Kevin Durant Leads Team USA to Victory Over Serbia; Tatum Sits Out
In a display of sheer dominance, Kevin Durant came off the bench to spearhead Team USA to a resounding win over Serbia. While Durant’s performance was remarkable, the game's storyline extended beyond just his contributions.
On the sidelines, Jayson Tatum, with his finger heavily wrapped and his warmup shirt never removed, was notably absent from the action. This raised questions for fans and analysts who are accustomed to seeing Tatum deliver stellar performances on the court. Instead, Coach Steve Kerr opted for different strategies, leveraging other combinations to secure the win.
"With Kevin coming back, I just went to the combinations that I felt made the most sense," Kerr explained. His decision-making process, however, was not without its challenges. "It's really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than 10 guys," he admitted, shedding light on the complexity of in-game rotations and match-ups.
Despite Tatum's absence, Team USA maintained its dominance. Contributions came from players like Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards, who combined for 23 points and were particularly effective from beyond the arc, shooting 6-of-8 collectively. Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton did not see any action, further demonstrating Kerr’s intricate balancing act in managing the roster.
Reflecting on his choices, Kerr was candid about the hurdles he faced. "I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything and determined these are the lineups I wanted to get to." His approach varied based on matchups, and he emphasized that "every game's going to be different based on matchups.”
The upcoming game against South Sudan presents another tactical puzzle for Kerr. He has expressed confidence in Tatum’s readiness for future games, indicating that the star player is expected to return to action in the next two group-stage matchups against South Sudan and Puerto Rico. "Tatum is going to play," Kerr asserted, signaling an intent to reintegrate the forward into the squad's tactical plans.
Looking at the broader picture, Team USA’s journey involves a mission to triumph in six games to achieve their ultimate goal. "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 remarked, underscoring the team's collective mindset.
However, Kerr did express a tinge of regret for not including Tatum against Serbia. "I feel like an idiot," he admitted, highlighting the intricate decisions coaches face in high-stakes tournaments.
As Team USA gears up for their next challenge against South Sudan on Wednesday, Kerr is meticulously preparing for all scenarios, including the potential use of smaller lineups. The team’s defensive schemes will focus on point-of-attack pressure, a fundamental aspect of their strategic approach.
Additionally, looming on the horizon is a possible clash with Canada, an opponent that Team USA may face in their quest for victory. Preparing for such a matchup requires versatility and shrewd tactical planning, areas where Kerr’s experience will be instrumental.
With the stakes high and varying matchups ahead, Coach Steve Kerr’s decisions will continue to shape Team USA’s journey. Kevin Durant’s return to form, coupled with potential contributions from Jayson Tatum and others, bodes well for a team that is focused on one singular goal: winning it all.