When Team USA went into their rematch against South Sudan with a reworked starting lineup, the comments came rolling in.<\/p>\n
After not playing at all against Serbia in the opening game of the Paris Olympics, Jayson Tatum<\/a> was starting. Team USA head coach Steve Kerr clearly felt the pressure from media who questioned the five-time All-Star\u2019s underutilization. After a few uneven performances, Joel Embiid<\/a> was replaced by Anthony Davis<\/a> in the starting lineup. Not only is Davis a more mobile defender than Embiid, he has better chemistry with point-forward LeBron James<\/a>.<\/p>\n After Team USA defeated South Sudan, 103-86<\/a>, Kerr spoke about his decision to change the starting lineup.<\/p>\n \u201cLast game, we had a champion and an All-NBA guy not play any minutes<\/a>,\u201d Kerr reflects (h\/t The Washington Post\u2019s Ben Golliver). \u201c\u2026Tonight we had an MVP not play any minutes. They didn\u2019t complain. We had guys who stepped up and filled those roles perfectly.\u201d<\/p>\n Steve Kerr on stars getting DNP-CDs: “They\u2019re pros & committed to each other. … I don\u2019t read social media. I would hope our guys aren\u2019t paying too much attention to that. That\u2019s a regular season thing where the soap opera can carry the ratings. Here, it\u2019s just win a damn gold.”<\/p>\n \u2014 Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) July 31, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\nTeam USA Head Coach Steve Kerr Changes Starting Lineup<\/h2>\n
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