US Basketball Stars Shine in Paris Olympics Despite Rotation Challenges

Jayson Tatum has not played in two of the five US games at the Paris Olympics. US coach Steve Kerr clarified that it's not due to Tatum's performance but rather the strong play of other team members. The US team has seen varied leaders in each game, showcasing their depth.

Jayson Tatum has missed two of the five US games at the Paris Olympics, with both absences against Serbia. US coach Steve Kerr emphasized on Friday that this decision is not a reflection of Tatum's abilities.

"It's not about what Jayson is lacking; it's about how well the other players have performed," Kerr explained.

"We've played 11 players, which is challenging even in an NBA game." Being behind for most of the game led Kerr to shorten his rotation for the semi-final victory.

Stephen Curry played 33 minutes and LeBron James 32, marking the first instances of any US player logging over 27 minutes this tournament.

Part of this decision was due to the second unit's lackluster performance on Thursday night, as pointed out by Kerr. Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Derrick White, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Edwards only played four minutes together, with Serbia outscoring them 17-4.

Tatum remains a star, evident from his NBA-record USD 315 million contract this summer and his All-NBA status. He is also the only player who hasn't made a 3-pointer yet in these Olympics.

"It's a math problem more than anything. Different combinations have worked better, particularly with Kevin after his injury," Kerr concluded.

Throughout the five games, the US has relied on different scoring leaders, making it unpredictable who will shine in the gold-medal game against France. Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards, Devin Booker, and Stephen Curry have each led in scoring for one game.

Kevin Durant is one win away from joining an elite club of four-time Olympic gold medalists, a notable achievement considering the short list of Americans who have managed this feat in any event.

The NBA champions on this team — Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White — have an opportunity to join a select group of players who have won both an NBA and Olympic gold in the same calendar year, adding another layer of significance to Saturday's match.

(With inputs from agencies.)