The United States men’s basketball team has reached the gold medal game against France, but not without its share of drama. The Americans snatched victory from Team Serbia, rallying from a 13-point deficit in the semi-finals.
However, the absence of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum on the court sparked significant debate. For the second time during this Olympic run, Tatum sat out, a decision that led to heavy criticism aimed at head coach Steve Kerr.
Read more: Jayson Tatum Benched Again as Team USA Struggles in First Half vs Serbia
Kerr admitted feeling foolish after his initial decision to bench Tatum, but his choice to do so again in this crucial single-elimination match re-ignited scrutiny. Fans were left wondering why Tatum, a key player who helped secure gold in the Tokyo Olympics, was not utilized, especially with Team USA lagging behind for a good portion of the game.
Notable college basketball analyst Dick Vitale took to social media to express his concern over Tatum’s benching, prompting a direct response from Tatum’s mother, Brandy Cole. She voiced her discontent, stating, “No, he’s not injured. But if you find out what’s going on, please let me know – unacceptable and makes NO SENSE.”
Despite the team’s depth of talent, Tatum’s scoring prowess would have been an asset against Serbia. Although Kerr struggled with rotation decisions, he pointed out the challenge of balancing the skills of top-tier players. “It’s difficult to play 11 people, even in an NBA game,” he explained.
Looking ahead, Tatum is likely to see more minutes in the upcoming gold medal contest against France. As the pressure mounts, Kerr’s focus remains on optimizing the team’s chances for gold, indicating he will continue to make decisions based on what he believes is best for the group.
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