Team USA's Questionable Decision vs. Germany Ignites Intense Backlash

As Team USA finished its Olympic exhibition slate with a perfect 5-0, it's clear which American star has fallen victim to an inevitable roster numbers crunch.

Tyrese Haliburton didn't play in the United States' 92-88 win over Germany on Monday, ceding backup point guard duties to Derrick White. The Indiana Pacers' franchise player was also benched for the second half of Team USA's nail-biting victory against South Sudan on Saturday, with coach Steve Kerr prioritizing defense late with the Americans at risk of an embarrassing loss.

Needless to say, fans of Haliburton and the Pacers aren't at all pleased with his prospective role as the United States' designated benchwarmer leading up to Paris.

Arguably Team USA's best player during its disastrous sixth-place finish at last summer's FIBA World Cup, Haliburton was always primed to play backup minutes for the Americans' loaded Olympic squad a year later.

Stephen Curry is entrenched at starting point guard, while the United States boasts a bevy of other players—the ageless LeBron James , most notably—capable of creating quality looks for themselves and their teammates. Kevin Durant's return from a calf injury in Paris should give Team USA the jolt of offense it needs to take home Olympic gold, too.

As a result, it's the versatile, disruptive defense and connective offense the Americans need most from their non-Curry guards. White provides it better than anyone on the roster beyond Boston Celtics teammate Jrue Holiday, understandably vaulting him past Haliburton on the depth chart—for now.

If Team USA ever experiences sustained struggles to score in Paris, though, don't be surprised when Kerr dusts off Haliburton for extended minutes, as he's one of the NBA's best young lead guards that can efficiently produce on the offensive side.

Related: LeBron James’ Two-Word Message To Steph Curry About Team USA Partnership