Team USA made serious changes to their starting lineup for Wednesday's game against South Sudan, highlighted by the benching of Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid.
Embiid is not meeting people's expectations at the 2024 Paris Olympics thus far, leaving coach Steve Kerr with no other choice. He recorded just 4 points in the USA's first game of the group phase.
The NBA community is thrilled to see the Sixers superstar headed to the bench in favor of Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis.
Embiid finally gone pic.twitter.com/qcalymrxkV
— sports.talk (@barsstoolcfb) July 31, 2024
Embiid is not the only one out of the starting five for today, as lockdown guard Jrue Holiday is out for his teammate Jayson Tatum. Tatum did not appear in Sunday's game against Serbia, placing a burden on Kerr to find minutes for him.
Embiid out W
— NFToly Stacker of Dough (@SolNFTs) July 31, 2024
Tatum in, why?
When Team USA faced South Sudan in an exhibition, they just barely made it out victorious. This likely prompted the coaching staff to make serious rotational changes. It's unknown if Embiid will remain part of the second unit going forward or rejoin the starting five.
Kerr did what was needed
— Ricky (@MrRickySpanish) July 31, 2024
Regardless of his role, boos poured in from the crowd the moment Embiid stepped foot on the court.