Kevin Durant defends Team USA’s decision to not play Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid in back-to-back games

Team USA can pick and choose which players to field depending on the opposition.

Kevin Durant defends Team USA’s decision to not play Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid in back-to-back games

Kevin Durant defends Team USA decision to not play Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid in back-to-back games at Paris Olympics 2024

Team USA took a conscious decision to not play Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid in each of their first two games at the Paris Olympics 2024. All with the view of exploiting matchups and providing rest. However, fans and analysts were not appreciative of the team keeping All-NBA players glued to the bench. However, Kevin Durant came out to defend the decision.

The 2-time NBA champion was asked after today’s game against South Sudan about the decisions and the criticism that followed.

Last game, we had a champion and an all-NBA guy not play any minutes, and tonight we had an MVP not play any minutes. They didn’t complain. We had guys who stepped up and filled those roles perfectly.
Kevin Durant to Ben Golliver of the Washington Post

Suggesting that the criticism that has come their way is not warranted. Team USA has options and therefore, can pick and choose who to deploy.

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The most important part Kevin Durant talked about was that ‘they didn’t complain’, should quieten down the criticism. After all, Jayson Tatum and Joel Embiid know all too well that this team has too much talent. Therefore, head coach Steve Kerr has the luxury to pick and choose at this Olympics.

Against Serbia, the defensive requirements meant Tatum sat the entire game. Tonight, Embiid would have struggled against the much faster South Sudan team. That said, it is not a knock on their prowess as basketball players. Instead, the logic would be to not tire them out when they have equally capable options available.

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Kevin Durant and fellow veterans might rest against Puerto Rico

Team USA now leads the points differential among all national teams at the Paris Olympics 2024. Therefore, the final game against Puerto Rico could be used to rest the likes of Durant, LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and possibly Jrue Holiday. Those five have played significant minutes throughout the friendlies as well as the two Olympic games.

Instead, the younger core could have a go at beating Puerto Rico. A team that is out of the tournament, if the entire FIBA group bracket rule is followed. That means even if the younger core plays, they need not exert themselves too much and can play at their own pace.

This will also give them valuable minutes to get into game form. That will be crucial in the latter stages of the knockout rounds. Team USA will most likely win gold. But they cannot take it casually as the level of competition has grown over the past few years.

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