Steve Kerr sends a clear message to Jayson Tatum after not playing a single minute vs Serbia

Tatum and Haliburton did not see the court for the US

Kerr has the problem of trying to play all of his superstars

Kerr has the problem of trying to play all of his superstarsLAPRESSE

In a strategic move that underscores the complexities of roster management, Team USA basketball coach Steve Kerr made a notable decision during the team’s 110-84 victory over Serbia in their opening group play game on Sunday. Despite being a pivotal player in the team’s pre-Olympic exhibitions, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum did not see any game time.

Tatum, who averaged 17.6 minutes per game in the five exhibition matches, was sidelined as Kerr adjusted the lineup to accommodate the return of Kevin Durant. Durant, who missed the exhibition games, appeared to take Tatum‘s place in the rotation against Serbia.

“It’s really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than 10 guys,” Kerr explained to reporters. “With Kevin coming back, I went with the combinations that made the most sense.”

Kerr acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting Tatum‘s impressive resume, including three consecutive All-NBA selections. “It seems crazy. I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything and determined these are the lineups I want to get to,” Kerr said. “Jayson’s one of the best players in the world. He’s incredibly professional, and that’s tonight. That doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way the rest of the tournament, so he’ll make his mark.”

Tatum was the best player on the Celtics’ title-winning side

Tatum, who recently led the Celtics to their first NBA title since 2008, was not the only high-profile player not to see action. Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton also remained on the bench. Kerr emphasized the importance of focusing on the team’s current objectives rather than individual NBA achievements.

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“The key is to put all the NBA stuff in the rearview mirror and just win six games,” Kerr stated. “Jayson’s the ultimate pro and champion. He handled it well and will be ready for the next one.”

Durant, making his return from a calf injury, contributed significantly with 23 points and an 8-of-9 shooting performance. Team USA will look to continue their strong showing as they face South Sudan on Wednesday in their next group play game.

NBA Legend Karl Malone Reportedly Claims To Have Finally Made Peace With His Former NFLer Son After Impregnating His 13-Year-Old Mother As A 20-Year-Old

Karl Malone and Demetrius BellKarl Malone and Demetress Bell (Photos via Getty Images)
NBA legend Karl Malone has again come under fire for his scandalous past following an online rumor claiming he has finally made peace with his son.

It’s been widely known that the former Utah Jazz star had a son with a 13-year-old while he was a fully grown adult, though he never dealt with any consequences.

Malone, now 60, had a son conceived with a 13-year-old Gloria Bell when he was 20. He refused to acknowledge or support him, only meeting him once before they agreed to work on their relationship in 2014.

The son, Demetress Bell, went by the name Demetrius until finding out it was actually spelled “Demetress” in 2012. He was also a basketball player and went to play for Northwestern State College on a scholarship but opted to focus on football, leading to a five-year career in the NFL.