Team USA Dominates Serbia in Olympic Opener
Team USA began their Olympic campaign with a statement, routing Serbia 110-84 in an impressive opening game. Under the guidance of head coach Steve Kerr, the American squad displayed a competitive edge and strategic prowess that laid the groundwork for what is shaping up to be a promising tournament.
Despite the absence of star player Jayson Tatum, who was left out of the lineup for this crucial opening clash, Team USA efficiently dismantled the Serbian side. Kerr, a decorated head coach with extensive experience, chose to sit Tatum to better match up against Serbia's formidable frontcourt.
“Jayson will play [Wednesday],” Kerr assured. “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.”
Kerr’s tactics paid dividends as his decision to feature three centers—Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis, and Bam Adebayo—proved crucial in counteracting Serbia's physicality. In addition, Derrick White emerged as an indispensable asset off the bench, significantly bolstering the team's performance. The statistics speak volumes: Team USA was a staggering plus-15 when White was on the floor.
Reflecting on the internal selection process, Kerr mentioned having detailed discussions with his coaching staff, analyzing matchups and performances from recent exhibition games. “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,” Kerr explained.
The game against Serbia also highlighted the need for continued strategic adjustments. As Team USA prepares to face South Sudan next, Kerr is acutely aware of the challenges posed by their next adversary. “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 commented.
South Sudan will not be an easily managed opponent. Their previous encounter with Team USA was a nail-biter, with the Americans narrowly securing a one-point victory. South Sudan's sharp shooting from beyond the arc, evidenced by their 14 three-pointers in that game, remains a factor that Team USA must neutralize.
Notably, Tatum’s role in the coming match is of significant interest. He averaged 6.7 points in Team USA’s five exhibition games, and although he saw limited action in the recent game in London where he scored nine points in 16 minutes, his potential contribution cannot be underestimated. Kerr’s ability to deploy Tatum effectively, while maintaining the cohesion and rhythm shown against Serbia, will be pivotal.
Kerr’s coaching journey has been marked by his tenure as an assistant coach in the 2019 World Cup in China and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. His vast experience was further solidified when he served as the head coach at the World Cup in Manila last summer. These experiences have undoubtedly shaped his strategic outlook and decision-making process.
As the competition heats up, Team USA will continue to lean on Kerr’s tactical acumen and their deep roster of talent. The daunting task of managing minutes and maintaining player readiness will persist, but if the dominant performance against Serbia is any indication, Team USA is well-equipped to meet the challenge head-on.