Steve Kerr Reveals Why Tatum Missed USA’s Olympic Opener

Team USA’s establishing sport of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jayson Tatum didn’t get any playing time in their one hundred ten-84 win over Serbia. Coach Steve Kerr stated he picked the lineup he notion become excellent and praised Tatum for coping with the situation professionally.

Coach Steve Kerr praised as Jayson Tatum one of the nice gamers in the international. Tatum had an impressive season, making the All-NBA First Team and helping the Celtics win the championship. In the lead-as much as the Olympics, Tatum averaged 17.6 minutes in step with recreation in Team USA’s exhibition suits. However, in the Olympic opener, Kevin Durant lower back from a calf damage and took Tatum’s area inside the lineup.

Coach Kerr said it’s hard to use extra than 10 gamers in a 40-minute game. With Kevin Durant lower back, he selected the lineup he notion might work first-rate. Kerr admitted it felt strange at first, but he decided on the combinations that made the most sense. Coach Kerr believes Jayson Tatum will have a big impact.

He emphasized that the team needs to focus on winning all six games and put NBA titles aside. Kerr praised Tatum for handling the situation professionally and expects him to be ready for the next game.

Kerr chose not to adjust the lineup to include Tatum, even though he could have. Instead, he kept the starting five—Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid—unchanged. Kerr decided against making changes because bringing Durant off the bench helped keep the starting lineup stable. Going with a smaller lineup didn’t make sense for facing Nikola Jokic’s team.

Unusually, Tatum didn’t play at all. But it’s important to note that another All-NBA player, Tyrese Haliburton, hasn’t played much recently either. Derrick White has been running the point guard position for the second unit, leaving Haliburton on the bench.

If not all players are going to get time on the court in every game, some top players will end up sitting out. Tatum’s teammate Derrick White said Tatum is doing well and staying positive. White reassured that Tatum is a great player and will be fine despite not playing. When asked if he was sick, Jayson Tatum said he was fine, unlike teammates Embiid and Davis who missed practices due to illness.

As Team USA prepares for upcoming games against South Sudan and Puerto Rico, questions remain about how rigid Coach Kerr’s rotation will be. If Durant joins the starting lineup, it will impact which player sits out and how the bench is affected.

Kerr has been trying to build chemistry with a consistent starting five and a solid second unit. While putting Durant in Tatum’s spot worked for this game, it doesn’t mean the same rotation will be used in every situation.