The USA Men’s National Basketball Team secured a decisive 110-84 victory over Serbia in their first group-stage match at the 2024 Olympics, but the game was overshadowed by the surprising benching of NBA champion Jayson Tatum. The Boston Celtics star did not see a single minute of play, marking a DNP (Did Not Play) on the stat sheet, a decision that quickly became a hot topic among fans and analysts alike.
NBA fans, particularly on social media, were quick to notice Tatum’s absence. One fan humorously dubbed him the “greatest waterboy of all time,” while others speculated on the reasons behind Coach Steve Kerr’s controversial decision. Some critics even went as far as to suggest that Tatum was benched because he wasn’t up to par with his teammates.
“Steve Kerr said Jayson Tatum trash lol,” tweeted @FippNoBirdie.
“Anthony Edwards played 20 minutes for Team USA today, Jayson Tatum played ZERO. I know who the next face of the NBA is,” posted @_6foot4.
“Jayson Tatum got benched because he sucks btw,” @ShakeZuIa commented.
However, Tatum’s supporters were quick to defend him. Many fans argued that his benching had nothing to do with his skill level and everything to do with strategic decisions made by the coaching staff.
“I don’t like this Jayson Tatum slander I’m seeing on Twitter. He’s the best in the world and should be starting for Team USA but Kerr has a vendetta against him and that’s the only reason he didn’t play at all today. He’s the best in the world,” tweeted @TJ_DGF.
I did not realize how badly NBA Champion Jayson Tatum hurt y’all and everyone else’s favorite basketball teams. Very sorry to hear that
— Coale Henderson | Producer Coale Bay-Bay (@CoaleTrain) July 28, 2024
“I did not realize how badly NBA Champion Jayson Tatum hurt y’all and everyone else’s favorite basketball teams. Very sorry to hear that,” another fan added.
Jayson Tatum, a five-time NBA All-Star, had a stellar season with the Boston Celtics and performed well in Team USA’s pre-Olympic exhibition games. Despite his benching in the opening match, there are still two group-stage games left for Tatum to potentially make his mark.
Following the game, NBA Republic shared a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter) from Steve Kerr explaining the decision to bench Tatum. Kerr revealed that he did not field Tatum in order to accommodate Kevin Durant in the rotation. Both players share the same position, and Kerr chose to stick with the Phoenix Suns star, who excelled and top-scored for Team USA with 23 points.
“He’ll make his mark,” Kerr assured (via NBA Republic).
Steve Kerr says Jayson Tatum (DNP) sat mostly because of getting Kevin Durant into the mix. But said there will be opportunities.
“He’ll make his mark.” pic.twitter.com/ooOZ3XF96g
— NBArepublic.com (@nba_republic) July 28, 2024
This explanation did little to quell the debate among fans. While some understood the tactical reasoning, others felt that Tatum deserved playing time regardless of the rotation complexities.
Team USA’s next game will be against South Sudan, a team they narrowly defeated in a pre-Olympic exhibition match. South Sudan also started their Olympic campaign strong, securing a 90-79 win over Puerto Rico.
As the controversy around Tatum’s benching continues to swirl, the focus will soon shift to how Team USA performs in their upcoming games and whether Jayson Tatum will have the opportunity to contribute on the court.
The decision to bench Jayson Tatum in the opening game of the Olympics is undoubtedly controversial. On one hand, it highlights the depth and talent of Team USA’s roster. On the other hand, it raises questions about team dynamics and strategic choices. Tatum’s performance in the NBA has proven his capability, and his contributions in the pre-Olympic exhibitions suggest he could play a vital role for the team.
Steve Kerr’s decision to prioritize Kevin Durant over Tatum for the sake of rotation is understandable given Durant’s prowess, but it’s also crucial to balance the morale and involvement of all star players. If Team USA aims to clinch the gold, leveraging the full potential of their roster, including Tatum, will be essential. The upcoming games will be critical for Tatum to demonstrate his value and for Kerr to potentially reassess his strategic choices.
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