On Sunday, the USA had their first recreation of the 2024 Olympics vs. Serbia. The US completed 5-0 of their exhibition video games they usually stored that profitable streak alive vs. the Serbians. Staff USA gained 110-84 and was led by Kevin Durant’s 23 factors off the bench. He performed 17 minutes and hit his first eight photographs to start out the sport.
Head coach Stever Kerr used 10 of his 12 accessible gamers on an especially gifted roster. The 2 gamers who didn’t see any enjoying time vs. Serbia had been Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum. After the win on Sunday, reporters requested Kerr why a a number of first-team All-NBA choice like Tatum didn’t see any enjoying time. Staff USA’s head coach didn’t go into element however mentioned the Celtics ahead will play Wednesday vs. South Sudan.
Anticipate to see Jayson Tatum on the ground Wednesday when the Individuals play South Sudan
“Jayson will play [Wednesday]. I’m not going to reply your subsequent query, which is that if he performs, who doesn’t.” 👀
Steve Kerr vowed to play Jayson Tatum towards South Sudan and defined why he didn’t see the ground towards Serbia👇 https://t.co/1zK5cY5VEj
— ESPN (@espn) July 29, 2024
The expertise on Staff USA’s roster for the 2024 Olympics is plain. It’s not a simple determination for head coach Steve Kerr and his teaching workers to decide on who’s going to play. All through the primary 5 exhibition video games, all 12 gamers noticed motion for the Individuals. Of their first Olympic match of 2024, two gamers didn’t see the court docket for Staff USA. They had been Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton. Tatum is without doubt one of the greatest gamers within the NBA and rightfully made the roster. He was on Staff USA’s gold medal roster on the 2021 Olympics and performed an enormous half in them profitable.
Nonetheless, the Individuals have a completely loaded roster this time round. Steph Curry, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid are all enjoying for Staff US in 2024. Moreover, Sunday’s recreation vs. Serbia was Kevin Durant’s first recreation again since injuring his calf. In his rationalization to the media, head coach Steve Kerr mentioned the teaching workers determined they wanted to make use of a lineup with extra measurement. That’s why Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo all noticed enjoying time. Even Jayson Tatum’s teammate Derrick White noticed 16 minutes off the bench for the US. White was a late addition to the roster when Kawhi Leonard needed to go away resulting from damage.
Tim Legler on Jayson Tatum not enjoying:
“I completely disagree with what occurred, I assumed it was extraordinarily disrespectful. Jayson Tatum has a better resume than guys that had been enjoying”
Ideas? 🤔
— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) July 29, 2024
South Sudan is a crew that gave the US hassle of their exhibition video games. It took the heroics of LeBron James to hit a game-winning shot for the Individuals. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst famous that South Sudan had a gifted roster with tons of athletics. It makes extra sense for Jayson Tatum to play Wednesday. Nonetheless, it was odd for a participant of Tatum’s caliber to not see any enjoying time in any respect. Somebody like Tatum doesn’t sit on the bench except he’s injured and can’t play. Tatum was absolutely wholesome and accessible on Sunday. Steve Kerr mentioned the 26-year-old will play Wednesday vs. South Sudan.
