It wasn’t a typical Olympic basketball sport for Jayson Tatum on Wednesday when Workforce USA took on South Sudan.
The highlight was closely targeted on the Boston Celtics star after head coach Steve Kerr determined to bench Tatum for Workforce USA’s opening matchup in opposition to Serbia.
In the course of the newest episode of NESN’s “Maintain My Banner” podcast, host Travis Thomas believed there can be a chip on Tatum’s shoulder resulting from Kerr’s resolution and that the five-time NBA All-Star would reply accordingly.
“Tatum didn’t play nicely within the exhibition video games. So, he already hasn’t had the very best exhibiting you have ever seen,” Travis mentioned. “… Tatum goes to wish to go in there and play nicely as a result of he hasn’t but after which he was simply embarrassed in opposition to Serbia, a blowout win by the best way. You continue to cannot discover minutes for him. Yeah, positive. So, I feel each events, Steve Kerr and Jayson Tatum, form of have some extent to show slightly bit.”
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Kerr put Tatum within the beginning lineup alongside Steph Curry, Devin Booker, LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Workforce USA’s 103-86 win over South Sudan. Tatum did not have a dominant exhibiting as he tallied 4 factors on 2-for-4 capturing whereas grabbing 5 rebounds and dispensing two assists in 17 minutes.
That is not precisely the stat line anticipated from Tatum when he had a “level to show.” However he’ll get extra pictures at redemption with Workforce USA the clear-cut favourite within the match.
You’ll be able to catch all episodes of the “Maintain My Banner” podcast on YouTube or Spotify.