Why did Jayson Tatum play in U.S. Olympic opener vs. Serbia?

Tatum was one of only two U.S. players not to take part for the Olympic opener, despite having played a significant role throughout the summer.

HTML0 Everything went well to the U.S. men’s basketball team during its first game at the Paris Olympics with which was a 110-84 win in the win over Serbia. Kevin Durant dropped 23 points in just nine shots during his return from a calf strain, LeBron James played a classic game and five other players scored double figures.

A player that did not have a chance to play wasn’t Jayson Tatum . Tatum, in fact, Tatum was not even on the field on Sunday. He was one of the two players who head coach Steve Kerr opted to leave on the bench and the point guard Tyrese Haliburton . Haliburton’s absence doesn’t come as too much of a shock, as he’s been the 11th and 12th man throughout the summer. Tatum is, however, regarded as a big surprise because his status as the MVP potential and 2023-24 NBA champion was an essential element of Kerr’s team in Team USA’s tune-up matches during the past couple of weeks.

What’s the matter? Given the embarrassment of the wealth available to Kerr What makes an athlete of Tatum’s stature not even play? Let’s find out the reasons behind this.

If you’d like to believe that Kerr as he is it was an NBA decision which was made in the wake of Durant’s return. Durant.

Steve Kerr says Jayson Tatum did not play because of the introduction of KD in the mix.
However, there are opportunities.
aHeall leave his mark.a

— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 28 2024

Does it meet the smell test? It’s not a bad idea. The first reason is that Durant’s return made an U.S. even deeper on the wings. Additionally, Kerr has tinkered with lineups throughout the summer and has also told reporters numerous times that he was not willing mixing and matching his team based on the opponent and the situation. In a game where it was clear that the U.S. wanted to push the pace, both to increase its athletic advantage over Serbia as well as to get rid of star big man Nikola Jokic The decision to not sit Tatum will be an option to take.

Tatum has a disciplined player. He prefers the half-court format and likes to keep the ball in his hands and look around at his choices. In light of the difficulties Kerr’s team faced in having the ball move during the summer You can see why Kerr might choose to select other players who are more inclined to keep pace and perform better without the ball players such as Tatum’s teammate Derrick White , who may not be as popular as Tatum is however, he is a superb spot-up shooter and defender who loves to throw the outlet pass and then get running.

This is a lengthy event, featuring the most abysmal and most hazardous playing field ever that has ever been played in Olympic history. In the near future it is likely that the U.S. is going to need a player who has the kind of scoring and defensive skills that Tatum is able to provide and Kerr’s decision remain Tatum in the sidelines is an insignificant memory. As of now, praise Tatum for staying focused at the sidelines without making him the center of attention.

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