Steve Kerr Plans To Use Paolo Banchero Like Bam Adebayo For Team USA

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr was an assistant during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics

Team USA and Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is known for revolutionizing the "small ball" style of play. 

So it should come as no surprise that Kerr intends to use Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero similar to Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo in the 2021 Olympics.

Adebayo stands at only 6-foot-9 but played most games at center in Tokyo.

True center Jaren Jackson Jr. picked up his third foul early in the third quarter against Puerto Rico, leading Kerr to substitute Banchero in at center.

After the game, he was asked about Banchero’s time spent playing center.

"He's gonna play some five," Kerr said. "One of the things we really found in [2021] in the Tokyo Olympics was having a 5 who can push the ball and transition, and create plays is very difficult for FIBA teams to handle. So he can play some four, as he showed, but he'll play plenty of five, as well."

Kerr is most likely referring to Adebayo in this statement, as it accurately describes his style of play. He assisted San Antonio Spurs coach Greg Poppovich during the 2021 Olympics.

This comment shows Kerr’s extremely high praise for the two-time All-Star.

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Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at anthonypasciolla36@gmail.com or follow him on Tik Tok @anthonysports_