“Soap opera can carry the ratings” – Steve Kerr reacts to social media trolls as Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum receive ‘DNP’ at Paris Olympics

Joel Embiid to start for Team USA in their next Olympic matchup against Puerto Rico.

“Soap opera can carry the ratings” – Steve Kerr reacts to social media trolls as Joel Embiid and Jayson Tatum receive ‘DNP’ at Paris Olympics

Steve Kerr and Joel Embiid

Team USA star, Joel Embiid has been making the headlines lately. This was because he was the latest name on the roster to not play a single minute against South Sudan. Notably, many believed that Embiid was benched for his recent struggles for his national side but Team USA head coach Steve Kerr insisted that Embiid’s benching was due to him “rotating the squad.”

In addition, in place of the former league MVP, Kerr chose to provide minutes to everybody, including Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics, who met the same end in the United States’ opening Olympic game. It’s important to note that the USA side is stacked with top names throughout the squad and some stars would have to go through this moment.

They’re pros & committed to each other. ... 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.
Steve Kerr in the post-match press conference

Interestingly, in the starting lineup for Team USA, Embiid has been a reliable screen-setter and rim-protector, enabling the offense to flow through superstars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. But he’s drawn criticism because he hasn’t played as well as he does for the Sixers. It remains to be seen what happens next regarding Embiid’s position in Team USA.

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Steve Kerr to start Joel Embiid vs. Puerto Rico

Joel Embiid did not play against South Sudan in his side’s most recent Olympic matchup in Paris. However, Team USA head coach, Steve Kerr opened up on Embiid’s absence from the squad and stated that it was for a “better matchup” and not related to Embiid’s gameplay. Not only that, Kerr also insisted that Embiid will be back in the starting lineup against Team USA’s next opponent, Puerto Rico.

This is the fastest team in the tournament we're going to play, We wanted to match up. They made 14 threes against us in London. The whole game today was going to be about switching and staying in front of people.
Steve Kerr in the post-match press conference

It’s important to note that, Embiid is not the only member of Team USA to sit out this tournament so far. Tyrese Haliburton and Jayson Tatum did not play in the nation’s opening-round Olympic victory over Serbia, which ended in a 110-84 victory. Also, it will be intriguing to watch which player will sit out the next game against Puerto Rico in the 2024 Paris Olympics for Team USA.

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