Steve Kerr’s experience leading Team USA has been far from easy. Managing a group of top NBA players, Kerr has been under significant scrutiny for his decisions on player rotations and strategies. Benching Jayson Tatum, the reigning NBA champion, for a full game against Serbia, was one of his most controversial decisions, receiving strong criticism from individuals like Stephen A. Smith, who labeled it as “nonsensical.” Now, Kerr has taken another daring step, this time with the involvement of the renowned Kevin Durant.
Kerr’s calculated risk
Kevin Durant, known as the Slim Reaper, entered the tournament with an unconventional start. After sitting out all five exhibition games, he made his return directly off the bench against Serbia. Kerr continued to use Durant in the second unit for the next two games, a strategy that proved effective. Many anticipated Durant would be promoted to the starting lineup for the knockout stages, but Kerr decided otherwise.
In a recent interview, Kerr explained his reasoning: “I think if Kevin had been here from Day 1, chances are he would be starting. But given that he missed all of our friendlies and came in late, we’ve established a lineup that we like. He played so well with the second unit that there’s no plan on changing that.” This decision was met with a mix of surprise and support, particularly from Bam Adebayo.
Bam Adebayo’s enthusiastic endorsement
Bam Adebayo, Durant’s partner in the second unit, showed his approval by commenting, “Bench Mob,” and tagging Durant. Known for his quirky and outspoken nature, Durant responded with a simple ‘chair’ emoji, signaling his agreement. This exchange highlighted the camaraderie within the team and the strategic depth Kerr is bringing to the tournament.
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Anthony Edwards’ dream realized
For Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves’ rising star, Kerr’s decision was a dream come true. Edwards had idolized Durant since childhood and relished the chance to play alongside him. Before the tournament, Edwards expressed his excitement, saying, “I still got butterflies waiting for that to happen.” Durant’s injury created an opportunity for Edwards to share the court with his hero in the second unit.
Fearing he might lose this chance once Durant moved to the starting lineup, Edwards made a heartfelt plea: “I love that he’s coming off the bench. I get to play with him, so I hope the coach keeps bringing him off the bench. I get to pass it to him. He gets to pass it back. That’s probably one of my biggest dreams ever, so that’s dope.” To Edwards’ delight, Kerr’s decision ensured his wish was fulfilled.
The strategy behind the bench
Kerr’s strategy isn’t just about nostalgia or fulfilling dreams; it’s a calculated move aimed at leveraging Durant’s unique skill set against opponents’ second units. Kerr hinted at this in his comments, suggesting that Durant will play more minutes as the tournament progresses: “Of course, as the games get more difficult, my guess is Kevin will be playing more and more minutes. He’ll keep coming off the bench, but we’ll lean on him more.”
This nuanced approach allows Durant to exploit mismatches and maintain a fresh impact throughout the game. It’s a strategy that could either solidify Kerr’s reputation as a master tactician or open him up to further criticism if it backfires.
Steve Kerr
The road ahead
As Team USA progresses towards winning gold, Kerr’s choices will be closely examined. Placing Durant in the second lineup has brought an interesting element to the story, as both fans and experts are curious to see what will happen. Will Durant start in the more challenging games, or will Kerr stick to his guns? The only certainty is that every move will be watched closely.
In the meantime, the camaraderie and mutual respect within the team shine brightly, embodied by the interactions between Durant, Adebayo, and Edwards. This unity, coupled with strategic acumen, might just be the key to Team USA’s success.
Let us know your thoughts on this bold move in the comments. Do you believe Kerr’s strategy will pay off, or is he risking too much with Durant’s bench role? The debate continues as the tournament heats up.