Dub Hub: Steve Kerr confirms Jayson Tatum ‘will play’ in Team USA’s next game vs. South Sudan

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Tuesday, July 30th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Team USA head coach Steve Kerr tells reporters that Jayson Tatum ”will play” in their second Olympic game vs. South Sudan on Wednesday.
• New Warriors’ assistant Jerry Stackhouse discusses how he plans to improve the team’s defense.
• Former NBA player Luol Deng has personally funded South Sudan’s basketball program over the past four years.

Team USA Basketball’s head coach, Steve Kerr, made headlines recently by benching Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum during their 110-84 victory over Serbia on Sunday. The decision to keep him off the floor for their first game came with a lot of criticism, especially with the team winning in a 26-point blowout.

However, with FIBA games being only 40 minutes long, a matchup against a Serbian team — led by NBA MVP Nikola Jokic — that relies heavily on their bigs, and a full arsenal of NBA superstars at their disposal, Kerr and his coaching staff decided Tatum was unfortunately the odd man out.

But with an upcoming matchup against a lengthy, more athletic South Sudan team that made 14 threes against Team USA during last week’s exhibition game, the need for versatile wings that can switch becomes paramount. Addressing the media on Monday, Kerr confirmed that Tatum will play in their upcoming game on Wednesday.

Via ESPN:

“Jayson will play [Wednesday],” Kerr said. “I’m not going to answer your next question, which is if he plays, who doesn’t. But we’re going to need him, and part of this job for me is to keep everybody engaged and ready, because my experience with this is crazy stuff happens.”

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Tuesday, July 30:

Warriors News:

Jayson Tatum to see floor in 2nd Olympic game vs. South Sudan | ESPN

Kerr explained that when he and the coaching staff studied the matchups against Serbia and reviewed how lineup combinations performed in the exhibition games, Tatum became a bit of an odd man out.

With Nikola Jokic and other strong big men on Serbia’s roster, Kerr went with three centers (Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo) in his rotation. Serbia also has strong guards, leading Kerr to rely on Derrick White as a leading bench player. White had two steals and a block, and Team USA was plus-15 when he was on the floor.

FIBA-rule games that are played in the Olympics are 40 minutes long and favor using big men as there is no defensive three-second rule like in the NBA and goaltending is relaxed once the ball hits the rim.

Joe Viray on Team USA’s sound defensive preparation against Serbia | Dub Nation HQ

It was apparent for most of the game that Kerr and his staff watched tapes of Serbia — their tendencies, habits, and favored half-court sets — and imparted those to their players. In turn, the Americans executed a near-perfect defensive gameplan, banking on endless screen navigation, constant ball pressure, and consistent effort.

For Jerry Stackhouse, chance to join Warriors’ coaching staff came at ‘perfect’ time | The Athletic

“For me, it’s about closing out to the touch without blow-bys to the basket. Those kill you, as well,” Stackhouse said. “It’s finding a happy medium. Close out with a hand in the air. Stick (out a) hand to deter shots. The numbers are there. Shots with a hand in the air miss more often than ones without a hand. It’s not an overhaul. It’s subtle things, and it’s holding those standards game to game and possession to possession.”

Why Draymond believes Brunson followed his lead by taking discount | NBC Sports Bay Area

“He did the Draymond Green,” Green said on the “Club 520 Podcast.” “I signed that [four-year contract] for [$100 million].

“If I waited, I could’ve gotten four for [$180 million], but I needed to lock my money in. I’d rather lock that [$100 million] in to know that I have that [$100 million] – chasing that extra [$60 million] or [$80 million] and then I don’t get it. I just wasn’t willing to take that risk.”

Kevin Durant responds to Keyshawn Johnson’s take about his time with the Warriors: “I hate hypotheticals”

NBA News:

NBA offseason survey: Best, worst and most shocking moves | ESPN

The clear majority thought that the new CBA rules have been positive.

“The league’s goals here are working,” said an East scout, who added that they were helping small-market teams stay relevant and competitive.

Or, as a Western Conference coach said, “This is as close to the NFL as it has ever been right now. You have to make good decisions as a front office.”

Offseason Power Rankings: Celtics continue to lead the way in East | NBA

Key question: Are they done making moves?

DeRozan was the go-to guy down the stretch of close games and the Bulls were much better in close games (27-17 on those that were within five in the last five minutes) than they were otherwise (12-26). Caruso was the glue, with the Bulls actually outscoring their opponentswith him on the floor.

So if they weren’t a very good team with both of those guys last season, what are they now? The best answer may be in the development of Giddey (22 when the season begins), Buzelis (20) and Coby White (24). But if the young guys are the focus, then there will continue to be chatter regarding Zach LaVine (and maybe Nikola Vucevic).

Former NBA player Luol Deng personally funded South Sudan’s basketball program for the past four years

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Buddy Hield says he ‘always wanted to play’ for the Warriors

“I’d just known for years that the Warriors was a team I’d always wanted to play for,” Hield said. “The way they move the ball, they’re always in championship-caliber mode. And just to learn from guys like Steph, and Draymond, and Steve, and Andrew, because I admire the way they approach the game, and I just want to be a part of that, and see what it’s like to be on this side.”

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