Jayson Tatum found himself in an unexpected and frustrating situation during the Olympics.
While most of Team USA took to the court in their victory against Serbia, Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton remained on the bench for the entire game. Even during garbage time, head coach Steve Kerr did not sub in the two All-Stars.
The decision to bench Tatum, a star player for the Boston Celtics, left many puzzled and sparked confusion among fans and analysts alike. Why would Kerr choose not to utilize Tatum’s talent, even for a few minutes? The decision seemed especially odd given Tatum’s caliber and contributions to the team.
Among those bewildered by Kerr’s decision was Charles Barkley, a former Olympian and prominent basketball analyst. During an interview on SiriusXM Radio, Barkley expressed his frustration and disbelief at the choice to bench Tatum.
“He’s got to play… Everyone on the team has to play. Do you have to play 25 to 30 minutes? No, but it’s the Olympics,” Barkley said. He emphasized that Tatum is not a significant downgrade from other stars like Kevin Durant, suggesting that even in a close game, Tatum should have had an opportunity to contribute.
“It’s not like there’s a huge downgrade with Jayson Tatum in the game… Like, come on, man… everybody deserves to play at least ten minutes,” Barkley continued, highlighting the importance of giving all players a chance to participate.
During the game against Serbia, Tatum did not see any action in the first half.
Fans initially joked about the situation, assuming that Team USA was riding Durant’s hot hand. However, as the second half progressed and Tatum still remained on the bench, even with Durant not scoring much, the confusion and frustration grew.
Tatum, a five-time NBA All-Star, will have another opportunity to play in the upcoming game against South Sudan. In a previous tune-up game against South Sudan, he played 16 minutes and scored nine points off the bench, showing his potential to make an impact.
As Team USA continues their Olympic journey, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see if Tatum gets his chance to shine on the international stage.
The decision to bench him against Serbia remains a topic of debate, but there is hope that Tatum will be able to contribute significantly in the games ahead.
