Dave Portnoy, the outspoken founder of Barstool Sports and an ardent Boston Celtics fan, is voicing his frustration with Team USA’s handling of Jayson Tatum during the Paris Olympics. So much so that he’s openly rooting for a U.S. defeat in the gold medal game against France.
Portnoy’s ire was sparked by the surprising benching of Tatum, who has seen limited action throughout the tournament. This frustration boiled over after Tatum, a key player for the Boston Celtics and an NBA champion as of June, was sidelined during crucial moments of the Olympics. In a video posted on X (formerly Twitter), Portnoy made his displeasure clear, stating that he had turned against Team USA in their recent semifinal game against Serbia and is now hoping for a resounding loss to France in the final.
“I was rooting against [the U.S.],” Portnoy said, expressing his disillusionment. “And I want France to beat them by 1,000 points. I don’t care that I’m American. The disrespect that Steve Kerr has shown Jayson Tatum throughout this tournament makes me hate this team.”
Portnoy’s rant didn’t stop there. His frustration with Team USA head coach Steve Kerr’s decision to bench Tatum led him to make some pointed and hyperbolic remarks. “I hope France smacks them,” Portnoy continued. “And then I hope, walking out, Tatum puts brass knuckles on and breaks Steve Kerr’s jaw.”
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Tatum’s benching has been a puzzling development throughout the Paris Olympics. Despite his stellar performance during the NBA season, culminating in a championship with the Celtics, Tatum has been largely sidelined by Kerr. In the five games Team USA has played, Tatum has been benched in two, leaving fans and analysts scratching their heads. In the three games he did participate in, Tatum averaged 6.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists—solid numbers, but not reflective of the significant role he played for the Celtics.
Tatum himself acknowledged the unexpected nature of his limited playing time, calling it a “humbling experience” after Team USA’s opening game against Serbia. “Win a championship, new contract, cover of [NBA] 2K, and then you sit a whole game,” Tatum reflected. “Cover of Sports Illustrated. So it was definitely a humbling experience.”
The frustration over Tatum’s benching isn’t limited to fans like Portnoy. Tatum’s mother, Brandy Cole, also took to X to question Kerr’s decision, expressing her confusion and disappointment. Responding to ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale, who was similarly puzzled by Tatum’s lack of playing time, Cole tweeted, “No he not [injured]. But if you find out what’s going on please let me know—unacceptable and makes NO SENSE.”
As the gold medal game against France approaches, the tension surrounding Tatum’s role on Team USA continues to mount. For fans like Portnoy, the handling of one of the NBA’s brightest stars has cast a shadow over the excitement of the Olympics, turning what should be a moment of national pride into a point of contention. Whether or not Tatum sees more time on the court in the final game, the controversy surrounding his benching will undoubtedly linger long after the medals are handed out.
