The story out of Group USA’s victory over Serbia wasn’t in regards to the People’ dominance over a fellow medal favourite. As a substitute, it was about Jayson Tatum getting a DNP by head coach Steve Kerr. That is one thing that Kerr mentioned will not occur once more within the subsequent sport.
Kerr confirmed on Monday in France that Tatum would play on Wednesday in opposition to South Sudan.
“Jayson will play [Wednesday],” Kerr mentioned. “I am not going to reply your subsequent query, which is that if he performs, who would not. However we will want him, and a part of this job for me is to maintain all people engaged and prepared, as a result of my expertise with that is loopy stuff occurs.”
Kerr had beforehand mentioned that he “felt like an fool” for not enjoying Tatum in opposition to Serbia. The teaching workers prioritized enjoying greater lineups in opposition to Nikola Jokic. Meaning making some onerous selections on who performs and who would not.
“The toughest a part of this job is you are sitting at the very least a few guys who’re world-class, a few of the best possible gamers on Earth,” Kerr mentioned. “On one hand, it is not sensible in any respect. On the opposite, I am asking these guys to simply decide to profitable one sport after which transfer on to the following one. I’ve to do the identical factor. And so, I felt like final evening these had been the mixtures that made essentially the most sense.”