Steve Kerr on not playing Jayson Tatum: 'I felt like an idiot not playing him'
ClutchPoints: “[Jayson Tatum] handled it well. I talked to him today before the game, that it may play out this way just with Kevin [Durant] coming back… I felt like an idiot not playing him… [In] a 40-minute game, you can’t play more than 10.” — Steve Kerr 👀 pic.twitter.com/Xxs5eRFbt9
Source: Twitter @ClutchPointsApp
Source: Twitter @ClutchPointsApp
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Nate Duncan @NateDuncanNBA
It’s not a huge surprise to me that Kerr wouldn’t have been as enamored of Tatum’s game in this setting. Probably Tatum’s biggest weakness is holding the ball and Kerr hates that in general, and probably even more so on a team with this much talent. – 5:59 PM
It’s not a huge surprise to me that Kerr wouldn’t have been as enamored of Tatum’s game in this setting. Probably Tatum’s biggest weakness is holding the ball and Kerr hates that in general, and probably even more so on a team with this much talent. – 5:59 PM
Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
On the international scoring machine known as Kevin Durant, and a moment five years and 18 days Steve Kerr has been waiting to witness again nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-sta… – 5:33 PM
On the international scoring machine known as Kevin Durant, and a moment five years and 18 days Steve Kerr has been waiting to witness again nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-sta… – 5:33 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Jayson Tatum DNP-CD, Kerr rotations work in #USA #Serbia, but what might’ve been the first benching ever for Tatum proved no less surprising @Celticsblog: celticsblog.com/2024/7/28/2420… – 5:04 PM
Jayson Tatum DNP-CD, Kerr rotations work in #USA #Serbia, but what might’ve been the first benching ever for Tatum proved no less surprising @Celticsblog: celticsblog.com/2024/7/28/2420… – 5:04 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
NEW: Kevin Durant’s play, LeBron James’s passion and what’s behind Jayson Tatum’s DNP-CD. Takeaways from USA Basketball’s Olympic opener si.com/olympics/kevin… – 4:59 PM
NEW: Kevin Durant’s play, LeBron James’s passion and what’s behind Jayson Tatum’s DNP-CD. Takeaways from USA Basketball’s Olympic opener si.com/olympics/kevin… – 4:59 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Tatum dropping 40 on the Warriors in December and yelling at Steve Kerr after every made basket is going to be comedy – 3:52 PM
Tatum dropping 40 on the Warriors in December and yelling at Steve Kerr after every made basket is going to be comedy – 3:52 PM
BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Steve Kerr explained why Jayson Tatum didn’t play versus Serbia 👀 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/y3RFOFq9I3 – 3:44 PM
Steve Kerr explained why Jayson Tatum didn’t play versus Serbia 👀 #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/y3RFOFq9I3 – 3:44 PM
James Edwards III @JLEdwardsIII
Wait … I’ve been on lake a in the middle of nowhere America all weekend. Tatum didn’t play … at all!?!? – 3:41 PM
Wait … I’ve been on lake a in the middle of nowhere America all weekend. Tatum didn’t play … at all!?!? – 3:41 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
New: Steve Kerr spoke to reporters in Paris about his stunning decision to sit Jayson Tatum Sunday masslive.com/celtics/2024/0… – 3:31 PM
New: Steve Kerr spoke to reporters in Paris about his stunning decision to sit Jayson Tatum Sunday masslive.com/celtics/2024/0… – 3:31 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
New: “I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything & determined these are the lineups I wanted to get to. Jayson is first-team All-NBA three years in a row… I talked to him, and he was incredibly professional.”
More from Steve Kerr on Tatum’s DNP:
bostonglobe.com/2024/07/28/spo… – 2:56 PM
New: “I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything & determined these are the lineups I wanted to get to. Jayson is first-team All-NBA three years in a row… I talked to him, and he was incredibly professional.”
More from Steve Kerr on Tatum’s DNP:
bostonglobe.com/2024/07/28/spo… – 2:56 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
New: I asked Steve Kerr about Jayson Tatum’s DNP, and here’s his full explanation. – 2:53 PM
New: I asked Steve Kerr about Jayson Tatum’s DNP, and here’s his full explanation. – 2:53 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Maybe more than any player I’ve ever been around, when he comes back from a long absence, you don’t notice it.” Steve Kerr.
Kevin Durant 23 points, five 3s back from injury, #TeamUSA tops Serbia.
Also addressed not playing Jayson Tatum #Suns #Paris2024 tinyurl.com/64b5rw8f pic.twitter.com/HYt51tivWD – 2:52 PM
“Maybe more than any player I’ve ever been around, when he comes back from a long absence, you don’t notice it.” Steve Kerr.
Kevin Durant 23 points, five 3s back from injury, #TeamUSA tops Serbia.
Also addressed not playing Jayson Tatum #Suns #Paris2024 tinyurl.com/64b5rw8f pic.twitter.com/HYt51tivWD – 2:52 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
👀🇺🇸 Coach Steve Kerr explained that simply there were not minutes left for the leader of the Boston Celtics
🗣 “I talked to him, and he’s incredibly professional. You know, that’s tonight. It doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way for the rest of the tournament.” pic.twitter.com/LOTkis3UXS – 2:40 PM
👀🇺🇸 Coach Steve Kerr explained that simply there were not minutes left for the leader of the Boston Celtics
🗣 “I talked to him, and he’s incredibly professional. You know, that’s tonight. It doesn’t mean it’s going to stay that way for the rest of the tournament.” pic.twitter.com/LOTkis3UXS – 2:40 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
I think Jayson Tatum being out of the rotation today makes sense for a similar reason leaving Jaylen Brown off the team made sense: this is not a wing-heavy Olympic field.
The opponents Team USA will mostly face are guard/big-heavy. If Luka were in, more wings might make sense. – 2:11 PM
I think Jayson Tatum being out of the rotation today makes sense for a similar reason leaving Jaylen Brown off the team made sense: this is not a wing-heavy Olympic field.
The opponents Team USA will mostly face are guard/big-heavy. If Luka were in, more wings might make sense. – 2:11 PM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Steve Kerr says Jayson Tatum “handled it well” about not getting minutes tonight. Just a matchups/combinations decision. He’ll play. – 2:11 PM
Steve Kerr says Jayson Tatum “handled it well” about not getting minutes tonight. Just a matchups/combinations decision. He’ll play. – 2:11 PM
Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
Steve Kerr explained why he didn’t use Jayson Tatum
“It’s really hard to play more than 10 guys in a 40-minute game” #Paris2024
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 2:09 PM
Steve Kerr explained why he didn’t use Jayson Tatum
“It’s really hard to play more than 10 guys in a 40-minute game” #Paris2024
eurohoops.net/en/olympic-gam… – 2:09 PM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Talent and depth are paramount in international play. In Sunday’s 110-84 rout of Serbia, Team USA once again proved why its unrivaled in both.
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton did not play. Joel Embiid was far from his best. Yet the Americans won by 26 points anyway.
That’s pic.twitter.com/D8RHlxnDID – 2:03 PM
Talent and depth are paramount in international play. In Sunday’s 110-84 rout of Serbia, Team USA once again proved why its unrivaled in both.
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton did not play. Joel Embiid was far from his best. Yet the Americans won by 26 points anyway.
That’s pic.twitter.com/D8RHlxnDID – 2:03 PM
CJ Holmes @CjHolmes22
Talent and depth are paramount in international play. In Sunday’s 110-84 rout of Serbia, Team USA once again proved why its unrivaled in both.
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton did not play. Joel Embiid was far from his best. Yet the Americans won by 26 points anyway.
That’s pic.twitter.com/AE21O0iQz7 – 1:55 PM
Talent and depth are paramount in international play. In Sunday’s 110-84 rout of Serbia, Team USA once again proved why its unrivaled in both.
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton did not play. Joel Embiid was far from his best. Yet the Americans won by 26 points anyway.
That’s pic.twitter.com/AE21O0iQz7 – 1:55 PM
Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Steve Kerr wore a “Brate” jersey to honor Dejan Milojevic after Team USA’s win against Serbia. pic.twitter.com/rE1MBtxvRY – 1:52 PM
Steve Kerr wore a “Brate” jersey to honor Dejan Milojevic after Team USA’s win against Serbia. pic.twitter.com/rE1MBtxvRY – 1:52 PM
Chuck Swirsky @ctsbulls
By no stretch am I saying grabbing gold will be easy—but USA sat Tatum AND Haliburton and won by nearly 30—this team is just too good. The only way they lose gold is if they mail it in and that is not going to happen. Not with LeBron-Stephan and KD on the court among many others – 1:48 PM
By no stretch am I saying grabbing gold will be easy—but USA sat Tatum AND Haliburton and won by nearly 30—this team is just too good. The only way they lose gold is if they mail it in and that is not going to happen. Not with LeBron-Stephan and KD on the court among many others – 1:48 PM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Steve Kerr says Jayson Tatum sat mostly because of getting KD into the mix.
But said there will be opportunities.
“He’ll make his mark.” – 1:46 PM
Steve Kerr says Jayson Tatum sat mostly because of getting KD into the mix.
But said there will be opportunities.
“He’ll make his mark.” – 1:46 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Kerr admits Tatum was a straight up DNP-CD. “I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He’ll make his mark.” #Celtics #Paris2024 – 1:45 PM
Kerr admits Tatum was a straight up DNP-CD. “I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He’ll make his mark.” #Celtics #Paris2024 – 1:45 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Jayson Tatum told @GwashburnGlobe that he was fine physically. – 1:25 PM
Jayson Tatum told @GwashburnGlobe that he was fine physically. – 1:25 PM
Brian Robb @BrianTRobb
4 takeaways from @souichiterada as USA Basketball blows out Serbia while Jayson Tatum gets a surprising DNP-CD masslive.com/celtics/2024/0… – 1:21 PM
4 takeaways from @souichiterada as USA Basketball blows out Serbia while Jayson Tatum gets a surprising DNP-CD masslive.com/celtics/2024/0… – 1:21 PM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Team USA vs Celtics conspiracy handbook
– J. Brown: not on team
– J. Tatum: on team, not in rotation
– J. Holiday: oldest Celtic on team, play him as much as possible
– D. White: wasn’t on team, cancel his vacation (also: see Brown)
– K. Porzingis: not American, injured anyway – 1:15 PM
Team USA vs Celtics conspiracy handbook
– J. Brown: not on team
– J. Tatum: on team, not in rotation
– J. Holiday: oldest Celtic on team, play him as much as possible
– D. White: wasn’t on team, cancel his vacation (also: see Brown)
– K. Porzingis: not American, injured anyway – 1:15 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Just asked Jayson Tatum if he was sick, he told me, “No, I’m good.” #Celtics #Paris2024 – 1:12 PM
Just asked Jayson Tatum if he was sick, he told me, “No, I’m good.” #Celtics #Paris2024 – 1:12 PM
Scott Agness @ScottAgness
USA Men’s Basketball handles Serbia 110-84 led by Kevin Durant (23pts) in his first game with this team. LeBron had 21-7-9.
Tatum and Haliburton DNP. Steve Kerr leaning more on defensive-minded guards.
Next: Wed. v South Sudan. – 1:10 PM
USA Men’s Basketball handles Serbia 110-84 led by Kevin Durant (23pts) in his first game with this team. LeBron had 21-7-9.
Tatum and Haliburton DNP. Steve Kerr leaning more on defensive-minded guards.
Next: Wed. v South Sudan. – 1:10 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
We’ll likely hear post game whether Tatum’s DNP had a reason behind it or was a CD. Knew he had an ancillary role on this roster, but never imagined a DNP. – 1:08 PM
We’ll likely hear post game whether Tatum’s DNP had a reason behind it or was a CD. Knew he had an ancillary role on this roster, but never imagined a DNP. – 1:08 PM
StatMuse @statmuse
Minutes by a Celtic today:
23 — Jrue Holiday
15 — Derrick White
0 — Jayson Tatum pic.twitter.com/q7ThqhC3VJ – 1:08 PM
Minutes by a Celtic today:
23 — Jrue Holiday
15 — Derrick White
0 — Jayson Tatum pic.twitter.com/q7ThqhC3VJ – 1:08 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Definitely gonna be a DNP for Jayson Tatum, whatever the reason. #Celtics #Paris2024 – 1:04 PM
Definitely gonna be a DNP for Jayson Tatum, whatever the reason. #Celtics #Paris2024 – 1:04 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Two players appear to be out of Team USA’s rotation currently:
Jayson Tatum
Tyrese Haliburton
Both are the only players to receive zero minutes in Steve Kerr’s opening rotation thus far. pic.twitter.com/TfS5xVmZ1K – 12:46 PM
Two players appear to be out of Team USA’s rotation currently:
Jayson Tatum
Tyrese Haliburton
Both are the only players to receive zero minutes in Steve Kerr’s opening rotation thus far. pic.twitter.com/TfS5xVmZ1K – 12:46 PM
Kristian Winfield @Krisplashed
Steve Kerr just had LeBron KD Bam AD and Derrick White on the floor. LeBron being the second shortest player on the floor for Team USA is ridiculous. – 12:42 PM
Steve Kerr just had LeBron KD Bam AD and Derrick White on the floor. LeBron being the second shortest player on the floor for Team USA is ridiculous. – 12:42 PM
Brad Botkin @bradbotkincbs
Two Celtics getting minutes for Team USA and neither of them Tatum or Brown is something – 12:38 PM
Two Celtics getting minutes for Team USA and neither of them Tatum or Brown is something – 12:38 PM
Chris Mannix @SIChrisMannix
Tatum being out of the rotation is a twist. His minutes off the bench have been entirely absorbed by Kevin Durant. No indication of any injury. Right now he’s the odd man out. – 12:38 PM
Tatum being out of the rotation is a twist. His minutes off the bench have been entirely absorbed by Kevin Durant. No indication of any injury. Right now he’s the odd man out. – 12:38 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Something might be going on with Tatum here. He was the last Team USA player out of the locker room and walked straight to the bench without warming up. #Celtics #Paris2024 – 12:20 PM
Something might be going on with Tatum here. He was the last Team USA player out of the locker room and walked straight to the bench without warming up. #Celtics #Paris2024 – 12:20 PM
Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Spike Lee waves back to Steve Kerr and Team USA players before the second half of the Team USA and Serbia game at the Paris Olympics. pic.twitter.com/y3OEFjr6Sf – 12:19 PM
Spike Lee waves back to Steve Kerr and Team USA players before the second half of the Team USA and Serbia game at the Paris Olympics. pic.twitter.com/y3OEFjr6Sf – 12:19 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Have to wonder at what point Steve Kerr decides to experiment with Team USA’s frontcourt rotations.
Lineups appear to flow much better from a scoring perspective whenever Anthony Davis or Bam Adebayo are on the court compared to Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/rrEN4uRxBE – 12:19 PM
Have to wonder at what point Steve Kerr decides to experiment with Team USA’s frontcourt rotations.
Lineups appear to flow much better from a scoring perspective whenever Anthony Davis or Bam Adebayo are on the court compared to Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/rrEN4uRxBE – 12:19 PM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Wrote about Tatum‘s weird role with #TeamUSA. Some of it stems from his oddly disappearing 3PT shot, but the bigger factor is the need for new era stars on this roster to defer to the old legends.
Tatum did not play in the first half today:
bostonsportsjournal.com/2024/07/27/nba… pic.twitter.com/xzMXNTGAEs – 12:08 PM
Wrote about Tatum‘s weird role with #TeamUSA. Some of it stems from his oddly disappearing 3PT shot, but the bigger factor is the need for new era stars on this roster to defer to the old legends.
Tatum did not play in the first half today:
bostonsportsjournal.com/2024/07/27/nba… pic.twitter.com/xzMXNTGAEs – 12:08 PM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
USA with Embiid: -11 in 6 minutes
USA without Embiid: +20 in 14 minutes
Cool of Steve Kerr to try and even the playing field a bit 😏 – 12:06 PM
USA with Embiid: -11 in 6 minutes
USA without Embiid: +20 in 14 minutes
Cool of Steve Kerr to try and even the playing field a bit 😏 – 12:06 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Kevin Durant has 21 points off the bench on a perfect 8 of 8 shooting and five 3-pointers for @usabasketball in the first half against Serbia. USA up 58-49 halftime. Joker has 12 points, four assists and two steals for Serbia. Tatum and Haliburton didn’t play in the first half. – 12:06 PM
Kevin Durant has 21 points off the bench on a perfect 8 of 8 shooting and five 3-pointers for @usabasketball in the first half against Serbia. USA up 58-49 halftime. Joker has 12 points, four assists and two steals for Serbia. Tatum and Haliburton didn’t play in the first half. – 12:06 PM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Gonna have to research the last time Tatum got a DNP-CD in case it happens today. #Paris2024 #Celtics – 12:04 PM
Gonna have to research the last time Tatum got a DNP-CD in case it happens today. #Paris2024 #Celtics – 12:04 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
They’d be better off playing Tatum at the 5 and then bringing in the Davis/Bam closing defensive duo – 11:59 AM
They’d be better off playing Tatum at the 5 and then bringing in the Davis/Bam closing defensive duo – 11:59 AM
Christos Tsaltas @Tsaltas46
Tatum and Haliburton out of the rotation. This is crazy. #USABMNT #Paris2024 – 11:56 AM
Tatum and Haliburton out of the rotation. This is crazy. #USABMNT #Paris2024 – 11:56 AM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
Please get Embiid out the game. I’m begging you Steve Kerr. Please – 11:53 AM
Please get Embiid out the game. I’m begging you Steve Kerr. Please – 11:53 AM
Adam Himmelsbach @AdamHimmelsbach
Derrick White ended up being +11 in his 8-minute stint.
Still no Tatum in this first half. – 11:52 AM
Derrick White ended up being +11 in his 8-minute stint.
Still no Tatum in this first half. – 11:52 AM
Gary Washburn @GwashburnGlobe
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are the lone Team USA members who haven’t played. #Paris2024 #Celtics – 11:50 AM
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton are the lone Team USA members who haven’t played. #Paris2024 #Celtics – 11:50 AM
Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton were the only two players left on Team USA’s bench in the first quarter – 11:40 AM
Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton were the only two players left on Team USA’s bench in the first quarter – 11:40 AM
Erik Slater @erikslater_
Jayson Tatum doesn’t see the floor in the first quarter. I can’t say I saw that coming. – 11:38 AM
Jayson Tatum doesn’t see the floor in the first quarter. I can’t say I saw that coming. – 11:38 AM
Josh Lewenberg @JLew1050
Imagine going without Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton in your 10-man rotation. Just an embarrassment of riches for the US… and yet, Serbia hasn’t blinked. Very fun quarter of basketball. – 11:37 AM
Imagine going without Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton in your 10-man rotation. Just an embarrassment of riches for the US… and yet, Serbia hasn’t blinked. Very fun quarter of basketball. – 11:37 AM
Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Boston Celtics and Team USA:
Jrue Holiday – starter
Derrick White – backup PG
Jayson Tatum – out of rotation
Jaylen Brown – not on the team – 11:36 AM
Boston Celtics and Team USA:
Jrue Holiday – starter
Derrick White – backup PG
Jayson Tatum – out of rotation
Jaylen Brown – not on the team – 11:36 AM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Steve Kerr is right on this. There’s no play on the ball there. This should be upgraded. We shall see. – 11:34 AM
Steve Kerr is right on this. There’s no play on the ball there. This should be upgraded. We shall see. – 11:34 AM
Tim Reynolds @ByTimReynolds
Everyone but Haliburton and Tatum has gotten some run for the USA so far. – 11:32 AM
Everyone but Haliburton and Tatum has gotten some run for the USA so far. – 11:32 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
USA second unit
White • Edwards • Durant • Adebayo • Davis
Third string: Tatum, Haliburton – 11:31 AM
USA second unit
White • Edwards • Durant • Adebayo • Davis
Third string: Tatum, Haliburton – 11:31 AM
Bobby Manning @RealBobManning
Let’s see how Durant looks. Could be a big factor in how close this one ends up.
Meanwhile still no Tatum 8 min. in. – 11:31 AM
Let’s see how Durant looks. Could be a big factor in how close this one ends up.
Meanwhile still no Tatum 8 min. in. – 11:31 AM
Chuck Cooperstein @coopmavs
How many times is Steve Kerr going to run out that same awful starting five? It didn’t work in the exhibitions, why would anyone think it would work now? – 11:22 AM
How many times is Steve Kerr going to run out that same awful starting five? It didn’t work in the exhibitions, why would anyone think it would work now? – 11:22 AM
Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305
That USA second unit with Edwards-Durant-Tatum-AD-Bam really is tough
All that to stop that Nikola Jovic second unit for Serbia – 11:09 AM
That USA second unit with Edwards-Durant-Tatum-AD-Bam really is tough
All that to stop that Nikola Jovic second unit for Serbia – 11:09 AM
Dalton Johnson @DaltonJ_Johnson
Steve Kerr’s starting five for Team USA vs. Serbia
Steph Curry
Jrue Holiday
Devin Booker
LeBron James
Joel Embiid
*Kevin Durant is back and will come off the bench – 11:07 AM
Steve Kerr’s starting five for Team USA vs. Serbia
Steph Curry
Jrue Holiday
Devin Booker
LeBron James
Joel Embiid
*Kevin Durant is back and will come off the bench – 11:07 AM
A. Sherrod Blakely @ASherrodblakely
Jayson Tatum, an NBA star is now an Olympic role player. Will he be cool with this? @Joe_Sway and I chop it up in this Team USA-inspired episode of The Big 3 NBA Podcast.
Watch, listen, SUBSCRIBE
📺: youtu.be/OEKnJ7dl5Gw
🎧: apple.co/3zXdyXU
by @Gametime pic.twitter.com/t7k4ccXua6 – 9:31 PM
Jayson Tatum, an NBA star is now an Olympic role player. Will he be cool with this? @Joe_Sway and I chop it up in this Team USA-inspired episode of The Big 3 NBA Podcast.
Watch, listen, SUBSCRIBE
📺: youtu.be/OEKnJ7dl5Gw
🎧: apple.co/3zXdyXU
by @Gametime pic.twitter.com/t7k4ccXua6 – 9:31 PM
More on this storyline
Tatum did not take part in mixed-zone interviews after the game. He simply said he is in good health. Celtics guard Derrick White, who played 15 minutes, 40 seconds in Sunday’s win, said he spoke to Tatum after the game. “He’s good,” White said. “He’s in good spirits. He’s obviously a hell of a player and we’ve got a lot of great guys on the team, so he’ll be all right.” -via Boston Globe / July 28, 2024
Afterward, US coach Steve Kerr said Jayson Tatum’s absence was mostly related to the return of forward Kevin Durant, who poured in 23 points on 8 of 9 shooting in just 17 minutes after sitting out for nearly a month due to a calf strain. “It’s really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than 10 guys,” Kerr said. “With Kevin coming back, I just went to the combinations that I felt made the most sense. It seems crazy. I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything and determined these are the lineups I wanted to get to. Jayson is first-team All-NBA three years in a row. He’s one of the best players in the world. I went with the combinations I felt would make sense, and I talked to him, and he was incredibly professional.” -via Boston Globe / July 28, 2024
Kerr stressed that he does not anticipate that these rotations will remain unchanged throughout the Olympics. “[Tatum will] make his mark,” he said. “Our guys know the key to this whole thing is to put all the NBA stuff in the rearview mirror and just win six games. Jayson is the ultimate pro and champion and he handled it well, and he’s going to be ready for the next game.” -via Boston Globe / July 28, 2024