Team USA's head coach, Steve Kerr, couldn't care less about the backlash received for benching NBA superstars throughout the team's first two games at the 2024 Summer Olympics. First, Boston Celtic fans caused an uproar when they didn't see Jayson Tatum play a second in Team USA's 110-84 win against Serbia. Then, the Philadelphia 76ers' fanbase protested superstar Joel Embiid‘s benching in Team USA's most recent victory (103-86) against South Sudan on Wednesday.
Kerr, who spoke to the Washington Post's Ben Golliver after the win, chimed in on the criticism he's receiving on social media.
“They're pros & committed to each other,” Kerr said, per Ben Golliver's X, formerly Twitter account. “I don't read social media. I would hope our guys aren't paying too much attention to that. That's a regular season thing where the soap opera can carry the ratings. Here, it's just win a damn gold.”
Team USA secures a spot in Olympic quarterfinals
Team USA will wrap up the 2024 Olympics' group round with a game against Puerto Rico on Saturday. The U.S. (2-0) leads Group C by a 43-point differential.
Bam Adebayo scored 18 points and seven rebounds against South Sudan, leading four players who scored double figures off the bench. Kevin Durant netted 14 points, Anthony Edwards chipped in 13, and Derrick White finished with 10.
LeBron James (12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists) led the starters. After their previous exhibition matchup, the U.S. survived a potential game-winning field goal in the final seconds of their game and edged out a 101-100 victory.
For coach Kerr, drowning out the naysayers questioning his decisions on a game-by-game basis is essential. He has to stick to what he believes is best for his team and can't afford to fall into doubting himself and costing Team USA a loss in the following win-or-go home stages of the Olympics.
However, not one player has complained when he makes those tough calls, according to Kerr.
“Last game, we had a champion and an All-NBA guy not play any minutes, and tonight we had an MVP not play any minutes. They didn't complain,” Kerr said about his team after Wednesday's win. “We had guys who stepped up and filled those roles perfectly.”
The Golden State Warriors head coach won't feel the same amount of pressure in Team USA's upcoming game against Puerto Rico, given that his team has secured a spot in the next round. However, the pressure returns the following week when the Olympics' one-game elimination format takes form, forcing Kerr to make sure he's making the correct decisions in real-time with sports fans tuned in across the globe.
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