Right now, everyone is talking about Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics getting benched during Team USA’s first game of the Olympics.
But on Wednesday, it may be a different NBA star who sits out.
According to Brian Windhorst, per NBACentral, Steve Kerr might elect to keep Bam Adebayo out of the lineup during the team’s upcoming game against South Sudan.
“They’re gonna be switching all of those screens because they gotta play the perimeter, and there may be a guy like Bam Adebayo that gets benched,” Windhorst said.
“South Sudan’s got a bunch of athletic wing players. Tatum’s gonna be out there. They’re gonna be switching all of those screens because they gotta play the perimeter, and there may be a guy like Bam Adebayo that gets benched…”
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) July 29, 2024
Kerr said that Tatum didn’t play in Sunday’s game simply because Team USA needed a lineup that allowed for multiple big men at one time.
They were trying to limit Nikola Jokic, one of the most unstoppable stars in the association, and they needed all the size and strength they could get.
That meant that Kerr turned to Adebayo, Joel Embiid, and Anthony Davis more.
But on Wednesday’s game, the Americans will be trying to minimize the wing players from South Sudan.
That is a challenge that Tatum is well-suited for and he will get his first minutes of the 2024 Olympics.
However, Adebayo may get more time on the bench because Kerr will want smaller, more versatile stars.
American fans should expect a lot of fluidity in the days ahead as Kerr keeps making adjustments.
LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant will likely get consistent minutes but everyone around them could change depending on the opponent.
Tatum spent his time on the bench but now he’s coming back and it’s Adebayo’s turn to watch from the sidelines.
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Steve Kerr Has Honest Admission About Not Playing Jayson Tatum Sunday