Team USA Dominates Serbia in Olympic Opener
Team USA emphatically kicked off their Olympic campaign with a resounding 110-84 victory over Serbia. The American squad, led by head coach Steve Kerr, showcased their depth and strategic prowess despite the notable absence of Jayson Tatum, a first-team All-NBA player and champion.
Tatum's absence from the opener stirred curiosity, but Kerr was quick to clarify the decision. Meeting with Tatum prior to the game, Kerr discussed the tactical choices with the player, explaining that the matchups and performances from previous exhibition games influenced his decision. "Jayson will play [Wednesday]," Kerr assured. He added, "I'm not going to answer your next question, which is if he plays, who doesn't. But we're going to need him, and part of this job for me is to keep everybody engaged and ready, because my experience with this is crazy stuff happens."
In a strategic move, Kerr decided to feature three centers—Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo—to challenge Serbia's imposing frontcourt. This tactic paid off, as the trio effectively countered Serbia's big men and controlled the paint. From the bench, Derrick White emerged as a significant contributor, helping Team USA to a plus-15 margin when he was on the floor. White's impactful play underscored the depth and versatility of Kerr's squad.
Kerr, who has extensive experience as an assistant coach in international competitions—including the 2019 World Cup in China and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics—brought invaluable insight to his role. His leadership was evident in the team’s cohesive performance, built on meticulous preparation and strategic adjustments.
Reflecting on the Serbian game, Kerr shared insights into the challenging decisions he faces as head coach. "The hardest part of this job is you're sitting at least a couple of guys who are world-class, some of the very best players on Earth. On one hand, it makes no sense at all. On the other, I'm asking these guys to just commit to winning one game and then move on to the next one. I have to do the same thing. And so I felt like last night those were the combinations that made the most sense."
Next, Team USA turns its focus to South Sudan, a team that showcased its formidable shooting ability in their previous encounter by draining 14 three-pointers. The last meeting between the two sides resulted in a narrow one-point victory for the Americans, indicating that the upcoming game will be no walk in the park. To adapt to South Sudan's speed, Kerr emphasized the need for versatility and readiness from his players. "With South Sudan, it's more about the speed, and speed is a killer. You have to be prepared for everything, and that means we need everybody," Kerr explained.
Tatum, who averaged 6.7 points in Team USA's five exhibition games, played 16 minutes and scored nine points in a recent game in London. His role in the upcoming match against South Sudan will be pivotal, as Kerr can leverage his scoring ability and defensive versatility against the speedy opponents.
In summary, Team USA’s commanding performance against Serbia serves as a testament to their depth, strategic flexibility, and Kerr’s astute coaching. As the team prepares to face South Sudan, they will need to maintain their focus and adapt their strategies to counter their opponent’s strengths. With players like Jayson Tatum ready to step up, and Derrick White proving his worth off the bench, Team USA aims to continue their winning trajectory in the tournament.