In Villeneuve-d’Ascq, France, Stephen Curry was asked if he could imagine a scenario where Kevin Durant would continue coming off the bench, to which Curry responded admirably about the team’s potential. The U.S. men’s basketball team, showcasing talents like LeBron James and Durant, had a successful Olympic-opening victory over Serbia. Noteworthy was the fact that all players who entered the game managed to score points.
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton, two standout players with significant contracts, did not see any playing time during the Serbia match. This situation highlights the depth of talent available to the team, which is still in the process of discovering the best ways to utilize its roster effectively. Coach Steve Kerr mentioned the challenge of distributing sufficient playing time among 12 skilled players in a 40-minute game.
Kerr emphasized that sitting out players like Tatum, a highly regarded player in the NBA, seemed almost inconceivable. Despite the complexities in making lineup decisions, Tatum is set to play in the upcoming game against South Sudan. Durant’s impactful contributions from the bench have been a trend since the exhibition games leading up to the Olympics, providing crucial energy to the team during slow starts.
Curry admitted to feeling nervous before his Olympic debut, which occasionally affected his performance on defense and led to turnovers. However, he stressed the importance of not dwelling on mistakes and instead focusing on being prepared to adapt to different game scenarios. With a roster filled with elite talent, Curry believes that every player must be ready to execute their roles effectively to achieve success on the court.
