Steve Kerr explains Joel Embiid benching, Jayson Tatum lineup change

USA Basketball’s loaded men’s team continued to roll through the Paris Olympics, staying undefeated after a 103-86 victory over South Sudan on Wednesday. The Americans didn’t have as much trouble with South Sudan this time after narrowly escaping in exhibition play earlier this month.

Steve Kerr Reveals Why Jayson Tatum Didn't Play Against Serbia

But USA Basketball once again looked different compared to its Olympics-opening victory over Serbia earlier this week. Notably, Celtics star Jayson Tatum got the start Wednesday after being benched in the Serbia win. It’s clear USA coach Steve Kerr is still experimenting with varying looks. Among his changes in Wednesday’s win, too, was benching former MVP big man Joel Embiid throughout the game.

“This is the fastest team in the tournament we’re going to play,” Kerr told reporters in France, per the Washington Post’s Ben Golliver. “We wanted to match up. They made 14 3s against us in London. The whole game today was going to be about switching and staying in front of people.”

South Sudan gave the Americans plenty of trouble the first time these two teams met. As Kerr mentioned, their speed was noteworthy and that wasn’t a great matchup against Embiid. Per Kerr, Embiid will be back in the starting lineup against Puerto Rico on Saturday.

Embiid was the lone USA player to not see the court Wednesday. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton and Tatum were the two players not to play against Serbia earlier this week. As Kerr has mentioned, it’s difficult to get all 12 guys meaningful playing time in the 40-minute FIBA games. So there will likely be more guys missing games in the Olympics going forward.

Regardless, the Americans continue to pick up wins as they’re now 2-0 in Group C play. They’re onto the quarterfinals of the Olympics courtesy of their two blowout wins. But first, USA next takes on 0-2 Puerto Rico at 11:15 a.m. ET Saturday to wrap up group play. It’s unclear how Kerr will use his rotation once again, though the U.S. men’s team will again be heavy favorites.

“They’re pros & committed to each other,” Kerr told reporters of stars not playing. “I don’t read social media. I would hope our guys aren’t paying too much attention to that. That’s a regular season thing where the soap opera can carry the ratings. Here, it’s just win a damn gold.”

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