There was controversy surrounding limited playing time of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown being overlooked. Both athletes helped the Boston Celtics win the 2024 NBA Championship, but Tatum had restricted playing time and Brown was excluded from the team. Celtics center Al Horford expressed his unhappiness, saying, “It did not make me happy.” These guys hold a special place in my heart, and they inspired us all for this season.
Jaylen Brown’s Snub Sparks Debate
Many thought Jaylen Brown, who had just finished an impressive NBA Finals MVP performance, would replace Kawhi Leonard on the Team USA roster after Leonard’s withdrawal. Nevertheless, Celtics teammate Derrick White was the one who got the spot. Brown reacted to the rejection by posting a sequence of tweets, conveying his feelings of letdown. Grant Hill, the executive director of Team USA, stood by the decision to create a well-rounded team, but the justification did not satisfy numerous fans.
Tatum’s Limited Role Surprises Fans
Jayson Tatum’s non-appearance during the initial group-stage match versus Serbia contributed to the dispute. Even the coach of Team USA, Steve Kerr, confessed that he regretted not playing Tatum and acknowledged feeling foolish. Even though Tatum had an average of 5.25 points and 5.25 rebounds per game. He typically only saw 18 minutes of playing time. Causing fans and his family to wonder about the decision.
Horford Praises Their Resilience
Even though he was disappointed, Horford praised Tatum and Brown for their handling of the situation. Horford mentioned that although they were doing well, it was difficult to witness the hard work they had done. Without seeing them in the rightful roles. With the new NBA season on the horizon, the Celtics’ motivation for another championship may be inspired by their time at the Olympics.
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