Steve Kerr Makes Big Jayson Tatum, Anthony Davis Team USA Decision

Golden State Warriors and Team USA head coach Steve Kerr has made a big change at the Paris Olympics

Joey Linn | Jul 31, 2024

Jul 28, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; United States head coach Steve Kerr talks to the team during a timeout in the first quarter against Serbia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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Golden State Warriors and Team USA head coach Steve Kerr made headlines with his decision to bench Jayson Tatum in USA Basketball's Paris Olympics opener against Serbia. Not playing Tatum a single minute in that win, Kerr admitted after the game he did not feel right keeping the Boston Celtics star on the bench.

While Kerr committed to playing Tatum against South Sudan after his DNP against Serbia, the Warriors head coach would not reveal how that would take place or who would lose minutes as a result. Making a big starting lineup change ahead of Team USA's game against South Sudan, Kerr moved Tatum into the lineup along with Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis:

Jayson Tatum & Anthony Davis into starting lineup for Team USA vs. South Sudan. Replacing Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid.

Coach Steve Kerr said game plan would change based on opponent and Tatum has gone from out of rotation to starting as Kerr goes with more wings.
— Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) July 31, 2024

This decision moved Jrue Holiday and Joel Embiid to the bench. Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant, who returned from injury against Serbia and led all scorers with 23 points, remains off Kerr's bench for this game against South Sudan. Team USA defeated South Sudan 101-100 in a Showcase Game on July 20th, and Tatum played 16 minutes, shooting 3/8 from the field and missing all three of his three-point attempts.

Getting an opportunity to start against South Sudan on Wednesday, Tatum will look to play better than he did in that Showcase Game. As for Davis, he replaces Embiid who has had been up and down with his performance this summer.

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JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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