Joel Embiid was notably absent in the U.S. men’s basketball team’s 103-86 victory over South Sudan on Wednesday, as head coach Steve Kerr made the decision to give playing time to other players, including Jayson Tatum, instead of the former league MVP. Kerr explained that he felt the speed and athleticism of South Sudan’s roster made it more suitable to play quick, switchable wings like Tatum, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo, and Kevin Durant.
The strategy paid off, as USA managed to secure a comfortable lead by halftime and ultimately emerged victorious. Despite Embiid’s effective performance in a previous matchup against South Sudan, Kerr’s decision to bench him for this game was met with understanding from the player himself.
Why was Joel Embiid benched against South Sudan?
Kerr’s emphasis on matching up against the speed of South Sudan’s team seemed to be the driving force behind his decision. While Embiid will likely return to the starting lineup for the next game against Puerto Rico, Kerr advised his players to focus on the ultimate goal of winning gold rather than getting caught up in playing time politics.
Overall, Kerr praised Embiid for his professionalism and the other players for stepping up in his absence, highlighting the team’s commitment to each other and the goal they are working towards.
It will be interesting to see how Embiid performs in the upcoming game and if Kerr’s strategy pays off once again. Stay tuned for more updates on Team USA’s journey in the Paris Olympics.