Serbia seemed to be no match for Team USA. Led by a sparkling shooting performance from Stephen Curry, the gold medal favorites for the 2024 Paris Olympics decimated Nikola Jokić and his crew. A feat to celebrate, right? Not so much. While Team USA did triumph, there was a glaring weakness in the starting lineup. Joel Embiid simply hasn’t adapted well to the international norms like the rest of his acclaimed teammates. But it looks like his spot in the starting five is safe.

Anthony Davis has continually outperformed Embiid through the scrimmages. Despite the disparity in success, Steve Kerr isn’t keen on moving Joel Embiid. He considers LeBron James, Curry, and Embiid as the ‘Big 3’ on Team USA. “I like those three guys in our starting lineup. We’ve been looking at other guys around them and we obviously do have great options, but I like those three guys together.” One of those great options is undoubtedly Anthony Edwards, but Kerr’s rigidity with the trio will prevent the 22-year-old from being part of the starting lineup.

Former NBA player Brandon Jennings is simply fed up with the Team USA head coach’s antics. “He on some Phil Jackson sh*t. He thinks he Phil,” Jennings expressed on the July 18 episode of Gil’s Arena.

Kerr did learn many things from the Zen Master, having been part of the infamous Bulls system in the Jordan era. Additionally, Kerr has also carved out his coaching greatness by being the head of a dominant Warriors dynasty. But even with all of his accolades, it’s hard to justify his lineup decisions. If not shifting Embiid, one man who has consistently proven to be a step ahead of most is Anthony Edwards.

The Timberwolves sensation was surreal against Serbia with his vigor on both sides of the floor, contributing 16 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 3 steals. So why did Steve Kerr bench Edwards during the tip-off after just one game of starting him? According to Gilbert Arenas, it’s all linked to the nine-time NBA champions’ association with the Bay and hidden “agenda.”

“He’s a head coach of an NBA team. He has his own agenda. That right there, that’s bad,” shouted Arenas. His solution? “Bring in the assistant coaches, man. Some of these retired coaches – let them come coach this team.” Explaining the thinking and mindset of an NBA team’s coach, the former Warriors star surmised, “If you’re a free agent and I’m looking to sign you, obviously, I’m going to play you a little bit more. If you’ve been killing my team all season, I don’t f**k with you. I’m not going to f**k with you in the USA team.” The latter is the case with Anthony Edwards.

Arenas put forth the question: “Who is Golden State’s biggest enemy right now? Who did they have beef with all f****g year? Who is the best player on that team?” It was in context to Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves. With a strengthened Western Conference brewing, the Timberwolves swallowed teams with their tenacity and hustle. Spearheading it all was Edwards. In the three games he played against the Warriors this past season, ANT averaged 25.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists.

Maybe the personal grudge is prohibiting Kerr from electing ANT into the starting lineup. But it could also be something related to the team chemistry. As bubbly and vivacious Edwards is, he commands the ball and is often the center of attention. In a lineup that hosts Bron, Curry, and Embiid – all high-octane scorers – it’s difficult to squeeze out every drop of Anthony Edwards’ potential. That could be why Kerr, a four-time champion as a coach, is taking the disturbing decision to bench ANT. However, there seems to be no excuse for his affiliation with Embiid, who hasn’t been nearly the threat he is in the NBA.

This preference for his starting lineup isn’t something that’s just happened in the Team USA roster. Steve Kerr lost someone who’s been one of the faces of the Warriors for the past decade due to preferring one player over another.

Did Steve Kerr give up on Klay Thompson?

After 13 precious years of service, Klay Thompson decided to move to the Dallas Mavericks in a shocking turn of events. His move did catch many astray. However, the seeds had been sown for the same during the regular season. For the first time since his rookie season, Kerr put Thompson on the bench and started rookie Brandon Podziemski over the four-time champion.

It was at a time when Thompson was struggling to find his motion. The decision looked to be right, as Thompson scored 35 in his first game as part of the second unit. But his brief stint didn’t revive his output. Eventually, Thompson was dissuaded from re-signing with the Warriors due to reports of Kerr preferring to side with Podziemski in the starting lineup.

Rashad McCants recounted that that was the moment he stopped abiding by Steve Kerr’s methods.” I got to vouch for Klay because Klay was in a position where he didn’t want m***********s to give up on him, and the n**** gave up on him. He gave up on Klay, man.” The rest of the crew readily agreed to his dissection.

When it comes to the Team USA roster (and not just his Warriors crew), it’s vital to consider that Steve Kerr is running drills and observing the star-laden lineup meticulously. Furthermore, it’s tough to put together a five-player lineup without naming some stars who were snubbed. It’s what is inevitably going to happen with a group as decorated and respected as the current Team USA roster.

The USA fans can only hope Joel Embiid starts to play his beats soon before the Paris Olympics gets underway.