USA basketball coach Steve Kerr has spoken out about his decision to leave Jayson Tatum out of the team’s Olympic Games debut.
Boston Celtics star Tatum, 26, did not take the court during the USA’s 110-84 victory over Serbia on Sunday.
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Tatum won his first NBA title with the Celtics last season and is among the best players in the league.
But he didn’t play a single minute as the U.S. began its quest in France for a fifth straight Olympic gold.
“I felt stupid for not playing [Tatum]”, Kerr admitted ESPN.
“But in a 40-minute game, you can’t play more than 10 [players].”
Kerr revealed he spoke to Tatum about the snub before the win in Lille.
And the 58-year-old indicated there would be plenty of opportunities for the Celtics star to advance in the competition.
“Jayson handled it really well,” Kerr continued.
“I talked to him today before the game that it could be like that.
“It sounds crazy. I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything and determined these are the lineups I want to get to.
“Jayson has been on the NBA first team for three years in a row, he is one of the best players in the world.”
Kevin Durant recovered from a calf strain to star for the U.S. off the bench.
He had missed all five of the team’s pre-Olympic exhibitions due to the injury.
The Phoenix Suns forward scored 23 points and shot 8 of 9 in a dazzling display.
“It was just with Kevin [Durant] coming back and the lineups I wanted to make,” Kerr added.
“But that will change, Jayson will play.
USA Basketball Olympic Schedule
Men
July 28, 11:15 a.m. ET – USA 110-84 Serbia, NBC
July 31, 3pm ET – USA vs. South Sudan, USA Network
August 3, 11:15 a.m. ET – USA vs. Puerto Rico, NBC
Women
July 29, 3pm ET, USA vs Japan, USA Network
August 1, 3pm ET, USA vs Belgium, USA Network
August 4, 11:15 a.m. ET USA vs. Germany, USA Network
“Each game will be different, based on the confrontations. [Tatum] He’s a total professional.”
Alongside Tatum, Tyrese Haliburton also prepared, but was unable to play a single minute of the contest.
Team USA flag bearer LeBron James looked in excellent form as he scored 21 points.
The 39-year-old Los Angeles Lakers icon also added nine assists and seven rebounds.
The U.S. returns to action against South Sudan in group stage play on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
