Jayson Tatum didn’t play in Team USA’s first game against Serbia on Sunday. Despite his absence, Steve Kerr’s squad still managed to win 110-84. However, many people on social media were upset about Tatum not playing.
In a news conference, Kerr said Tatum will play in the next game against South Sudan on Wednesday. Here are three key things Tatum will bring to the team.
Rebounding
South Sudan won their game against Puerto Rico 90-79 on Sunday by dominating rebounds, grabbing 18 offensive and 55 total boards. Tatum is one of the top rebounding forwards in the NBA. Last season, he secured 18.5% of defensive rebounds for Boston, ranking him in the 94th percentile.
Tatum’s height (6-foot-10) makes him great at grabbing missed shots and starting fast breaks . Against a team like South Sudan with strong rebounders and athletes, Tatum will be crucial in controlling the game’s pace.
Playmaking
Tatum isn’t just a scorer; he’s also become an excellent playmaker over recent years. He can create scoring chances for himself and his teammates both in fast breaks and set plays. Last season, he assisted on 21.2% of his teammates’ baskets while he was playing.
Fans might think that having Tatum handle the ball more often could lead to exciting plays.
Kerr will probably let Tatum run some plays as a ball handler to use his skills in pick-and-roll situations effectively.
Rim Pressure
Last season, Tatum made 72% of his shots at the rim. His ability to screen and then cut towards the basket makes him hard to defend . He’s also one of the best post scorers globally, giving Team USA a reliable option near the basket that forces defenses to collapse around him.
Team USA already has strong perimeter players; adding someone like Tatum who can drive to the rim would open up even more three-point opportunities later in games.
So letting Tatum have some freedom early could help create more scoring chances throughout the match.
What do you think? Should Kerr have played Tatum earlier?
