Steve Kerr risked the wrath of Boston Celtics fans everywhere when he chose to sit Jayson Tatum for both of Team USA’s games against Serbia during the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also miscast Tatum’s role within the rotation, leading to some uncharacteristically poor performances from the recently-crowned NBA champion.
During a recent episode of his “7 PM In Brooklyn” podcast, Carmelo Anthony admitted that he wasn’t impressed with how Kerr treated Tatum throughout the tournament. The former New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets star accepted that Tatum was low in the rotation but believes Kerr failed to verbalize that role to the St. Louis native.
“I understand why Jayson Tatum may have not played. I don’t agree with how they went about it,” Anthony said. “…You have 40 minutes in the game, I’m cool with you saying he’s not going to play, just be honest, this is where we have a lack of communication, because we’ve been in Vegas this whole time, talk to me, you already know where you see me at on this depth chart. Talk with me private, let me get myself together, mentally and emotionally.”
Despite his struggles in Paris, Tatum still left with the second Olympic gold medal of his career. However, it’s fair to assume that he will be driven to prove himself once the new NBA season begins. After all, his reputation certainly took a hit due to his treatment by Kerr and the coaching staff.
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It will be interesting to see how Tatum approaches the upcoming season and what direction he takes to remind everyone that he’s still one of the 10 best players on the planet.
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