Just one game after Team USA head coach Steve Kerr referred to himself as an “idiot” for not utilizing Jayson Tatum in the Olympic opener against Serbia, another player faced a complete lack of playing time.
This time, it was an NBA MVP.
Joel Embiid, the star center for the Philadelphia 76ers, started against Serbia. However, he was substituted out for Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis during the 103-86 victory over South Sudan in Paris on Wednesday.
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Joel Embiid of Team USA warms up prior to the Paris Olympics Group Phase – Group C match against Serbia at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Lille, France, on July 28, 2024. (Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Despite starting the game, Embiid did not make an appearance, right? Incorrect.
Embiid was the only member of Team USA not to clock in a single minute of play in the first half and the entire game against South Sudan, a team that had given the Stars and Stripes trouble during their recent exhibition match.
Opting to represent the United States while having eligibility for both France and Cameroon, Embiid remained stoic on the Team USA bench throughout the game, as noted by the broadcast.
Instead of substituting Davis, Kerr opted for Bam Adebayo, who played 21 minutes and led the U.S. in scoring with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting, along with seven rebounds, two blocks, and one steal.
USA BASKETBALL’S STEVE KERR TAKES BLAME FOR NOT PLAYING JAYSON TATUM IN OLYMPIC OPENER: ‘I FELT LIKE AN IDIOT’
Davis logged 19 minutes, scoring eight points on 4-of-7 shooting, accompanied by seven rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one steal.
Last season, Embiid was the NBA’s leading scorer, averaging 33 points per game for the 76ers but faced difficulties in the opener against Serbia. He only played 11 minutes, making 2-of-5 field goals for four points, including 0-of-3 from the free throw line, and grabbing just two rebounds.
After the game, Kerr explained that Embiid’s lack of play was due to South Sudan’s speed, believing that Davis and Adebayo were better suited for this matchup. He also mentioned that Embiid would start against Puerto Rico on Friday.
Joel Embiid of Team USA is seen before the game against Serbia on July 28, 2024. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
While Tatum was the outlier in Team USA’s opener, subsequently causing a wave of social media activity regarding the Boston Celtics star’s lack of minutes, he played during this game and was part of the starting five.
However, Tatum didn’t make much of his 17 minutes, scoring just four points on 2-of-4 shooting, alongside five rebounds and two assists.
It’s evident that Kerr faces a difficult task with this talented 12-man roster he is managing in Paris for the Summer Games. Not every player sees court time in the NBA, and the same applies in these competitive Olympic matches.
As a result, lineups are determined by matchups for Kerr and his coaching staff, who deemed Davis and Adebayo the preferable centers for the contest against South Sudan.
In contrast, examining the box score from Team USA’s 101-100 victory over South Sudan earlier this month, Embiid recorded 14 points on 5-of-6 shooting, with four free throws made out of six attempts, along with seven rebounds and two assists, finishing with a plus-15 rating on the court.
Joel Embiid of Team USA is captured before the game against Serbia on July 28, 2024. (Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
Regardless, following the incident with Tatum in the previous game, social media responded with humor about Embiid remaining on the bench for an entire game.
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As more games approach, one player is bound to be the odd one out. However, selecting Tatum, a three-time All-NBA first-team selection in the last three years, alongside former MVP Embiid, were curious choices to initiate the Olympic journey.
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