The USA obtained the Olympics off to a very good begin with a blowout victory over Serbia. Nevertheless, the win got here with a little bit of bizarre twist, as Jayson Tatum did not play within the recreation for Group USA.
Following the sport, United States head coach Steve Kerr mentioned that with Kevin Durant again within the fold, he could not get everybody into the sport.
“It is robust, however Jayson dealt with it very well. I talked to him immediately earlier than the sport, that it could play out this manner simply with Kevin coming again, and the lineups I wished to get to,” Kerr mentioned.
The USA coach then defined he appears like he cannot play greater than 10 gamers attributable to FIBA video games being solely 40 minutes. That gave the impression to be Kerr’s different purpose for leaving Tatum on the bench.
“I felt like an fool not taking part in him, however in a 40-minute recreation, you may’t play greater than 10,” Kerr mentioned concerning the DNP for Tatum. “He is a tremendous man, nice participant and dealt with it fantastically. He’ll be on the market subsequent recreation.”
