Seems like Tatum's minutes most likely will come from one of the centers. Otherwise, feel like you could make a case for all of the players playing over him.
The revelation of a Bam/AD front court really crunches the minutes. But, to me, you HAVE to keep that combo out there.
And Derrick White has proved to be a valuable piece, as well, given the way he can drive into the lane and kick it. Plus, he & Jrue are a pretty effective defensive pairing. And, I think Booker & ANT have made strong cases for why they should remain in the lineup.
So that leaves Joel Embiid... the numbers definitely SCREAM that he should be benched (maybe entirely). It seems likely they promised him a starting spot to get him to commit to Team USA.
But, at some point, production has to matter, especially with shorter FIBA games and condensed schedule.
Embiid ended up playing only 11 minutes in the game, and while his continued inclusion despite being one of the least consistent remains confusing, he got only a little over 5 minutes in the 1st and 3rd quarters and was otherwise not seen. Seems like he's on his way out.
As for why he's still out there? Not sure about a promise, per se, but I do think the politics of him choosing the US over France may play a part. Marc noted how reviled he is in France. Now imagine how much louder the catcall would be if he wasn't even starting or, worse, benched? "Tu as choisi l'equipe americaine pour te garer ton cul sur le banc? Quel con!"
That said.. I think they've made it clear. Just win 6 games. Nobody should be surprised if they sit. And maybe there was some chess in sitting Tatum to send a message to Embiid if/when they have him grabbing some pine.
Excellent points made. Since Embiid and Tatum work out with the same trainer, that definitely could resonate with him.
I thought we could use him against France but they're not even starting Wemby and Gobert together, so I don't know that it's as important as it seemed.
Seems like guard/heavy teams could lead to Tatum sitting, with wing-heavy teams, maybe Tatum gets minutes, as Windy was hinting about. If they ditch Bam instead for Tatum, though, I don't think that's the answer...
Seems like Tatum's minutes most likely will come from one of the centers. Otherwise, feel like you could make a case for all of the players playing over him.
The revelation of a Bam/AD front court really crunches the minutes. But, to me, you HAVE to keep that combo out there.
And Derrick White has proved to be a valuable piece, as well, given the way he can drive into the lane and kick it. Plus, he & Jrue are a pretty effective defensive pairing. And, I think Booker & ANT have made strong cases for why they should remain in the lineup.
So that leaves Joel Embiid... the numbers definitely SCREAM that he should be benched (maybe entirely). It seems likely they promised him a starting spot to get him to commit to Team USA.
But, at some point, production has to matter, especially with shorter FIBA games and condensed schedule.
Time to put the best interests of the team first.
Embiid ended up playing only 11 minutes in the game, and while his continued inclusion despite being one of the least consistent remains confusing, he got only a little over 5 minutes in the 1st and 3rd quarters and was otherwise not seen. Seems like he's on his way out.
As for why he's still out there? Not sure about a promise, per se, but I do think the politics of him choosing the US over France may play a part. Marc noted how reviled he is in France. Now imagine how much louder the catcall would be if he wasn't even starting or, worse, benched? "Tu as choisi l'equipe americaine pour te garer ton cul sur le banc? Quel con!"
That said.. I think they've made it clear. Just win 6 games. Nobody should be surprised if they sit. And maybe there was some chess in sitting Tatum to send a message to Embiid if/when they have him grabbing some pine.
Excellent points made. Since Embiid and Tatum work out with the same trainer, that definitely could resonate with him.
I thought we could use him against France but they're not even starting Wemby and Gobert together, so I don't know that it's as important as it seemed.
Seems like guard/heavy teams could lead to Tatum sitting, with wing-heavy teams, maybe Tatum gets minutes, as Windy was hinting about. If they ditch Bam instead for Tatum, though, I don't think that's the answer...