The subject will not overshadow the Americans' very good start to the tournament against the Serbs. But the “DNP” of Jayson Tatum continues to make news. After having passed on him during the opening, Steve Kerr announced today that the multiple Celtics All-Star will play Wednesday against South Sudan.
” Jayson will play (Wednesday). I'm not going to answer the next question, which is who doesn't play if he does. But we're going to need him, and part of my job is to make sure everybody is involved and ready, because my experience is that crazy things (can) happen. “, formula the selectorlaunched into an ever-delicate balancing act, between managing complementarities and egos.
The Warriors coach is referring here to injuries and other possible hazards of the competition. But on this first match, he explains that when his team of coaches and he studied the duels against Serbia and reviewed the performances of the different fives used in preparation, Jayson Tatum (7 points in 16 minutes on average in five games) presented a profile that was a little less complementary.
Above all, with Kevin Durant's return from injury, the technician asked himself fewer questions. And the remarkable performance of “KD” clearly proved him right. Also, with Nikola Jokic and other impact interiors in front, Steve Kerr preferred to mobilize his three pivots (Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo).
Fewer interiors mobilized against Sudan?
On the back lines, he logically turned to Anthony Edwards, as well as Derrick White, who had a favorable impact (notably his big block on an opposing penetration). The latter could be set aside against the African nation to make room for his teammate in Boston.
” The hardest thing in this business is to do without at least two world-class players, among the best on the planet. On the one hand, it doesn't make sense. On the other hand, I'm asking these guys to commit to winning a game and moving on to the next one. I have to do the same. That's why I felt like yesterday those combinations were the most sensible ones. “, Steve Kerr said again.
The latter, who was rarely questioned about Tyrese Haliburton, seems to want to stick to the principle of a ten-player rotation. Against the Serbs, Joel Embiid, although a starter, had the least amount of playing time with 11 minutes.
” With South Sudan, it’s more about speed, and speed kills. You have to be ready for anything, and that means we need everybody. “, continues Steve Kerr, who could thus mobilize his interior sector less. And this to respond to the athletic qualities and the long-distance address of a team that came very close to beating Team USA a few days ago.
