Team USA’s starting lineup vs Serbia left out one big name that has NBA fans confused and wondering what Steve Kerr is thinking
No Kevin Durant.
No Anthony Davis.
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In the minutes before Team USA finally took the court for its official 2024 Olympics tipoff vs Serbia, Steve Kerr's starting lineup was posted.
A healthy Durant was available off the bench and, of course, LeBron James was in the first five.
The same for Steph Curry, who is playing in the Olympics for the first time and uniting with The King for the greater good.
Joel Embiid, one of the best big men in the sport, was a necessity with three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic proudly representing Serbia on Sunday in Lille, France.
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And it's hard to initially argue against Devin Booker, who's one of the premier scorers in The Association and has NBA Finals experience.
But Kerr's fifth name -- and the other big names sitting on the bench -- had fans shaking their collective head.
Jrue Holiday started.
Davis did not.
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"Stop with 3 guard lineups please, bro," one fan tweeted.
"Start AD," a second fan posted.
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"No AD still," a third fan wrote.
AD is Anthony Davis, who was the best overall player for the Los Angeles Lakers last season.
While a TV announcer said that the "Avengers have assembled," and the overall roster for Team USA was loudly praised, all the talent has created question marks surrounding the starting five.
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The NBA has gone small in recent years -- Serbia started in a defensive zone to try to answer the USA lineup.
Many basketball devotees want to see Davis paired with James, which would also give Team USA extra height and rebounding for international competition.
"Fire Kerr already," one fan tweeted. "Any lineup without AD, KD or ANT is trash!!!!!"
As that opinionated fan pointed out, Anthony Edwards -- who's been teased as the next Michael Jordan -- also wasn't in Kerr's starting five.
Team USA struggled during two London exhibition games, and Kerr challenged the squad before the Olympics began.
As the United States quickly fell behind vs Serbia 10-2 on Sunday, fans were dreaming of another Olympic gold -- and wondering about Kerr's first starting five.
The first substitution said it all: Holiday was out.
AD was in, just like the fans wanted.
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum also was left out of the starting five and spent the first half on the bench.
After a slow start, Team USA opened up a 43-36 lead as halftime approached.
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The United States was a stronger team once Kerr made his first sub.
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