Team USA opened their 2024 Paris Olympics basketball campaign with a resounding 110-84 victory over Serbia, cementing their status as a powerhouse in the tournament. The game, however, came with some surprising strategic decisions from head coach Steve Kerr, particularly regarding the rotation of star players.
Durant's Return Reshapes Rotation
In a move that caught many by surprise, Jayson Tatum logged zero minutes against Serbia. Kevin Durant made his return to the lineup, taking Tatum's spot in the rotation. Durant, who had not played in the exhibition games leading up to the Olympics, was reintroduced to the squad amidst much anticipation. Kerr explained the decision, stating, "I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He'll make his mark."
This shift marked a departure from the previous strategy, where Tatum averaged 17.6 minutes over the five exhibition games. Tatum, a key player for the Boston Celtics, recently led his team to an NBA championship and earned All-NBA First Team honors this past season. Despite being sidelined, Tatum showed no signs of frustration, responding to inquiries about his status with a simple, "No, I'm good."
Star-Studded Starting Lineup
The starting lineup featured some of the biggest names in basketball. Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid took to the court from the tip-off. Embiid, who had missed recent practices due to illness, made a strong comeback by participating in the game.
In the absence of Tyrese Haliburton, who was sidelined, Derrick White ran point with the second unit for the last two-and-a-half games. This adjustment highlighted the depth and versatility of Team USA's roster, allowing them to adapt seamlessly to changes.
Looking Forward to Upcoming Games
With their first win secured, Team USA is set to continue their Olympic journey with upcoming games against South Sudan on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET and Puerto Rico next Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET. The team’s performance against Serbia has set a high bar, and fans are eager to see how the squad will build on this initial success.
As for Tatum, Kerr assured reporters that his limited playing time was mostly due to integrating Durant back into the team. "Kerr told reporters that the DNP-CD was mostly a result of getting Durant in the mix," Kerr mentioned, highlighting the long-term vision for Tatum's contributions to the team.
Team USA's depth will surely be tested as the tournament progresses, but the opening win has shown that they are ready to face any challenge. Whether it’s the strategic coaching decisions or the players' adaptability, the team appears well-equipped to make a significant impact on the global stage.
Stay tuned as Team USA continues their quest for Olympic gold, with each game promising further excitement and high-level basketball action.