Jayson Tatum and Anthony Davis are now part of the United States men’s national basketball team’s starting lineup for their upcoming Olympic game. This change comes as the team prepares for their second group play match against South Sudan.
In a strategic move, head coach Steve Kerr has opted to start Tatum, a forward known for his scoring ability, alongside Davis, a dominant big man. This adjustment means that guard Jrue Holiday and center Joel Embiid will take a seat on the bench for this crucial matchup.
Kerr’s decision to include Tatum comes after he faced criticism for not utilizing the talented forward during Team USA’s previous game, a 110-84 victory over Serbia. In an interview, Kerr reflected on the impact of Kevin Durant’s return to the lineup, which had pushed Tatum out of the initial rotation. He expressed regret, admitting he “felt like an idiot” for not giving Tatum playing time.
“Jayson is first-team All-NBA three years in a row. He’s one of the best players in the world,” Kerr stated. He acknowledged the importance of communication, noting that Tatum handled the situation with professionalism and maturity.
Kerr emphasized the team’s focus on winning, saying, “[Tatum will] make his mark. 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.” Tatum, who recently led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship, is the only player on Team USA to have received first-team All-NBA honors this past season. However, he faced challenges during the exhibition series, averaging 6.4 points per game and struggling to find his shooting rhythm.
On the other hand, Durant shone in the previous game, scoring 23 points and hitting his first eight shots, stepping into the role Tatum had previously occupied. Meanwhile, Embiid’s performance has raised concerns, as he managed only four points in 11 minutes during the last match. Davis contributed with seven points and eight rebounds off the bench, while Holiday added 15 points, three assists, and two steals.
