Kevin Durant's return to the court was nothing short of spectacular as Team USA secured a commanding win over Serbia. Despite coming off the bench, Durant demonstrated his unmatched prowess, leading the team with his exceptional performance. Remarkably, Jayson Tatum remained on the sidelines throughout the game, a rare occurrence for the young star whose finger was heavily wrapped, keeping him out of action.
Coach Steve Kerr addressed the decision to bench Tatum, emphasizing the complexities of his strategic choices. "With Kevin coming back, I just went to the combinations that I felt made the most sense," Kerr explained. This decision-making process, while challenging, reaped dividends as Team USA showcased their dominance on the court.
Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards played pivotal roles, combining for an impressive 23 points. Their shooting accuracy was particularly noteworthy, with the duo going 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. Despite their contributions, Tyrese Haliburton did not see any action, highlighting Kerr's tactical approach that varied based on matchups. "Every game's going to be different based on matchups," Kerr reiterated, underlining the versatility required in managing the team.
The game against Serbia was unique not just for Tatum's absence but also for the strategic depth demonstrated by Kerr. Tatum's potential involvement is expected in the forthcoming group-stage games against South Sudan and Puerto Rico. Kerr expressed his confidence in Tatum's readiness, affirming, "Tatum is going to play." This assurance is pivotal for Team USA as it aims to secure six consecutive victories, a goal Kerr is firmly focused on. "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," he emphasized.
Looking ahead, the upcoming match against South Sudan presents another tactical challenge for Kerr. The coach acknowledged the difficulty in maintaining a balanced lineup in a 40-minute game. "It's really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than 10 guys," Kerr stated, reflecting on the intricate balancing act required to optimize player combinations.
Kerr is already preparing for possible future scenarios, including adjustments like deploying a smaller lineup and focusing on a robust defensive scheme centered on point-of-attack pressure. The prospect of facing Team Canada looms on the horizon, adding another layer of strategic planning for Kerr and his coaching staff.
The decision to keep Tatum out against Serbia was not without its challenges. Kerr admitted to the internal conflict he faced, noting, "I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything and determined these are the lineups I wanted to get to." Ultimately, the coach's choices were validated by the team's dominant performance, but not without some lingering doubts. "I feel like an idiot" for not playing Tatum against Serbia, Kerr confessed. This candid reflection underscores the difficult choices inherent in top-level coaching.
The intense focus now shifts to the upcoming match against South Sudan on Wednesday. With Kerr's confidence in Tatum's return and the lessons learned from the previous games, Team USA is poised to continue its pursuit of excellence. The objective remains clear: to win six games and cement their status as a formidable force on the international stage.