Jason Tatum was just another cheerleader in the second match against Serbia. Many have expressed their outrage at coach Kerr
Steve Kerr, the head coach of Team USA, has once again addressed Jayson Tatum’s limited playing time during the Olympics. Tatum did not see any action in the team’s 95-91 victory over Serbia in the semi-final round, marking the second time he was benched during the tournament.
Kerr clarified that Tatum’s absence is not due to any shortcomings in his performance but rather a matter of math and lineup combinations.
Steve Kerr’s Comments
“It’s not about anything Jayson is doing or not doing,” Kerr explained, according to Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press. “It’s just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin has filled in since he came back from his injury. It’s just a math problem more than anything.”
The issue of Tatum’s playing time first emerged during the opening game of the Olympic tournament when he did not play in the 110-84 victory over Serbia. Alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Tatum was one of the only players who did not step on the court in that game, and the same pattern repeated during their second matchup with Serbia.
Tatum’s Olympics so far
In the games where Tatum has played, he’s averaged 6.3 points, six rebounds, and three assists. While these stats aren’t particularly standout, they are overshadowed by Tatum’s exceptional 2023-24 NBA season with the Boston Celtics.
Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists over 74 games, playing a crucial role in leading the Celtics to the 2024 NBA Championship. His performance earned him a significant contract extension after the season.
Beyond his NBA success, Tatum has also been a strong performer on the international stage. He was part of the 2020 U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Tokyo, where he averaged 15.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
Although Tatum didn’t have the chance to play against Serbia in the 2024 Olympics, he’s now aiming to make an impact in the gold medal game. Team USA is set to face France on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, with hopes of securing their fifth consecutive gold medal.
