Steve Kerr’s explanation for Tatum’s DNP vs. Serbia doesn’t add up originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid deserve all the credit in the world for leading Team USA to a thrilling comeback victory over Serbia in the men’s basketball semifinals at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Thursday.
But there is another plot that cannot be ignored.
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum did not come off the bench in the 95-91 victoryThis is the second time he has recorded a DNP at these Olympic Games (both against Serbia). Tatum has played 60 minutes in total in five games in France and seems like an afterthought in coach Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Tatum isn’t injured, so why isn’t the defending NBA champion’s best player running more?
“It’s not what I don’t see from Jayson; it’s what I’ve seen from the other guys,” Kerr told reporters on Friday, via Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. “As I’ve said many times during this tournament and over the last six weeks, it’s hard to play against 11 people, even in an NBA game.”
Kerr highlighted the strong defensive play of Thursday’s reserve unit — Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards and Derrick White — as well as Durant’s contributions on both ends to explain why Tatum didn’t see the court.
“Our second unit wasn’t great (Thursday) night, but that group has been one of the bright spots on this team, especially on the defensive end. So it’s not about what Jayson is or isn’t doing. the way this group played together, the way Kevin (Durant) has filled in since coming back from injury.
“It’s just a math problem more than anything.”
Kerr is right about his minutes conundrum. It’s nearly impossible to split 40 minutes of playing time – eight less than an NBA game – between 12 players, and with a roster full of All-Stars, at least one or two big names will have to participate in each game.
The beef with Kerr is more about his calculation and why Tatum seems to be the odd man out.
Although Tatum hasn’t had a great offensive tournament, he is still an exceptional two-way player who offers length, defensive versatility, rebounding and playmaking ability. When Kerr gave Tatum the match against Puerto Rico in the group stage, he responded with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds in a landslide victory.
At the very least, Team USA could have used Tatum’s rebounding ability Thursday against Serbia, which racked up nine offensive rebounds while hitting 15 of 39 3-point shots to take a double-digit fourth-quarter lead before for US incumbents to achieve a miraculous comeback. .
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is among those hoping Kerr puts Tatum in the gold medal game against France, which features two 7-footers (Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert) and a muscular striker in ex-Celtic Guerschon Yabusele.
“It’s hard not to play, and I think it’s exponentially harder when you’re one of the best players in the world,” Stevens said Friday, via Himmelsbach. “But when we talked, he always talked about the team. This is a unique opportunity to win a gold medal at the Olympics.
“The championship game will be a great road environment and he shines in those situations.”
USA vs France kicks off at 3:30pm ET on Saturday, and Kerr’s recent track record suggests Tatum won’t start or will be first off the bench. But Tatum is too talented a player with too much big-game experience to walk the pine in an Olympic gold medal match.
