For some fans of the Boston Celtics, the dual benching of star forward Jayson Tatum was nearly a personal affront. For others — including Celtics alumni — such a snub is only going to be fuel for future Boston greatness. And among the latter category, we can count former Celtics floor general Jeff Teague.
Teague opened up about how he saw Tatum’s benching on a recent episode of his “Club 520” podcast, even going so far as to suggest the St. Louis native’s participation with Team USA for the 2028 Olympics might be in jeopardy. “Tatum, bro, he’s done with the Olympics,” said the former Boston point guard via Basketball Network’s Yakshpat Bhargava.
“They just ruined everything for the NBA now, the USA team did,” he added. “Now you tell Jayson Tatum that he is the worst player out of all the elites.”
Celtics Lab 276: A closer look at the Olympics, Team USA, and the Celtics with Noa Dalzell https://t.co/8pKriN9TpA pic.twitter.com/BxWhKDs48x
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 5, 2024
“The only player to make the All-NBA First team, the rest others were all Europeans, and you all (are) telling me I can’t compete against Serbia?” asked Teague. ” … He couldn’t get him five minutes? I’m never going to be okay with that. But if you’re Boston Celtics fans, you all should be thanking USA basketball.”
If it provides the sort of motivation Teague seems to think it will, we probably ought to.
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