Jayson Tatum arguably is without doubt one of the finest 5 basketball gamers on this planet, however that wasn’t mirrored when Workforce USA kicked off its Paris Olympics run Sunday.
Tatum shockingly didn’t play a single minute within the Individuals’ group-stage opener towards Serbia. The Boston Celtics star was one in every of two gamers not utilized by the gold medal favorites, who cruised to a 110-84 over Nikola Jokic and firm.
Numerous basketball followers on-line had a area day poking enjoyable at Tatum for driving the bench on the worldwide stage. However others, like 14-year NBA veteran Matt Barnes, used social media to criticize Workforce USA decision-makers for benching the five-time All-Star.
“Unsure who’s deciding who’s taking part in what minutes in these Olympics however for @jaytatum0 to not get any minutes is loopy AF @SteveKerr & #EricSporlstra,” Barnes posted to X on Sunday.
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After the sport, Kerr confirmed Tatum did not play because of a coach’s determination and never an harm, sickness or something of the like. In reality, it was a pre-planned transfer by the Golden State Warriors coach, who earlier than tipoff knowledgeable Tatum that there was an opportunity he wasn’t going to play towards Serbia.
That stated, Kerr insisted Tatum nonetheless will “make his mark” on these Olympics. The 26-year-old’s subsequent alternative to make his Paris Video games debut might be Wednesday when Workforce USA matches up with South Sudan.
