Team USA Dominates Serbia in 2024 Paris Olympics Opener
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Team USA kicked off their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics in emphatic fashion, securing a commanding 110-84 victory over Serbia. While the outcome of the game may not have been surprising, the circumstances surrounding the lineup caught the attention of basketball aficionados worldwide.
One notable absence from the rotation was Jayson Tatum, a pivotal figure for the Boston Celtics. Tatum, who had averaged 17.6 minutes across the five exhibition games leading up to the Olympics, did not see any playing time against Serbia. The decision to bench Tatum was a strategic one made by head coach Steve Kerr. "I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He'll make his mark," Kerr remarked when questioned about Tatum's zero minutes on the court.
Kerr explained further that Tatum's DNP-CD (Did Not Play - Coach's Decision) was largely due to the return of Kevin Durant to the lineup. Durant, who had been absent from the friendly games prior to the Olympic opener, took Tatum's spot in the rotation. "Kerr told reporters that the DNP-CD was mostly a result of getting Durant in the mix," a tactical move aimed at optimizing Team USA’s performance against a formidable Serbian squad.
The starting lineup featured a star-studded roster with Stephen Curry, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, LeBron James, and Joel Embiid. The inclusion of Joel Embiid was particularly noteworthy, as Embiid had missed recent practices due to illness but showed up ready to play and contribute to the team’s success.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton was sidelined and did not participate in the game, compelling Derrick White to assume the point guard duties with the second unit for the latter half of the game. White has been a reliable backup, demonstrating his versatility and readiness to step up when needed.
When asked about his status and the decision to rest him, Tatum simply stated, "No, I'm good." This brief yet assuring comment suggests that the Celtics star is ready to take the floor when called upon and isn’t facing any severe issues.
Looking at individual performances, the reintegration of Kevin Durant undoubtedly added a significant edge to Team USA. Durant’s on-court presence was felt immediately, providing both offensive firepower and defensive tenacity. The return of Durant is expected to be a crucial element as Team USA advances through the tournament.
On the horizon, Team USA faces South Sudan on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET, followed by a match against Puerto Rico next Sunday at 11:15 a.m. ET. These upcoming fixtures will offer further opportunities for Tatum to re-enter the rotation and make his anticipated mark on the tournament.
Despite some reshuffling, coach Steve Kerr appeared confident in his team's depth and versatility, ensuring that each player will play a role in their pursuit of Olympic gold. With a strong and dynamic roster, Team USA's prospects look promising as they navigate through the competition in Paris.