Steve Kerr Benches Jayson Tatum Again, Frustrates Fans in USA Olympic Win vs. Serbia | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

by
Uncategorized

ARIS MESSINIS/AFP via Getty Images

Team USA survived its semifinal matchup against Serbia, winning 95-91 to advance to the gold-medal game, but it didn’t come without a fight.

The United States trailed 76-63 heading into the fourth quarter and had to rally behind LeBron James and Steph Curry to come out with the win. It was unlike any Team USA performance so far in this year’s Olympics, as it has mostly handled its competition in Paris.

One of the biggest storylines from Thursday’s game was Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum once again getting no minutes. There were moments when Team USA clearly needed a versatile defender like Tatum to help defend Serbia’s shooters, yet Steve Kerr never looked to the NBA champion.

After another DNP for Tatum, fans voiced their frustrations over Kerr’s decision.

StatMuse @statmuse

Jayson Tatum is leading the NBA in playoff points, threes, free throws and wins in the 2020s. <br><br>Steve Kerr is giving him 0 minutes in an elimination game. <a href=”https://t.co/khOtGy6v3o”>pic.twitter.com/khOtGy6v3o</a>

Brian Robb @BrianTRobb

How many 3s does Serbia have to hit for Steve Kerr to play a lineup that switches everything? That Jayson Tatum guy could help with that.

Ben Grunert @BenGrunertBball

This is what you get Steve Kerr. You’re playing a team full of nasty shooters surrounding Joker and you just don’t put in your most versatile defender to guard on the perimeter at all. I don’t care how poorly Jayson Tatum has shot in the Olympics, this is absurd

Dan Greenberg @StoolGreenie

If Kerr is watching this and willingly deciding “Yeah, Jayson Tatum couldn’t help here” then he legitimately cannot coach in 2028

Al Horford Pachampion @alpacinogrunt

One of the most insane things Kerr didn’t do this ENTIRE Olympic run is play Derrick/Jrue/Tatum together.<br><br>A super easy thing to do and it never crossed his mind.

GRADS @MGRADS

Jayson Tatum not being used correctly is beyond disrespectful &amp; makes you question the entire coaching staff and Kerr

Football @BostonConnr

I wonder if Steve Kerr is gonna say he feels like an idiot for not playing Tatum after this game too

Hana 🏀 @HanaHoops

Steve Kerr really acted like it was the biggest mistake of his life not playing Tatum and then he does it AGAIN lol

Julian McWilliams @byJulianMack

Really don’t understand what Kerr is doing other than trying to embarrass Tatum

Lou Merloni @LouMerloni

Is Steve Kerr going to answer for this or will everyone just let him slide? Embarrassing. Matchups? Rotations? Whatever. No excuse to not play Tatum at all!!!

Austin @ChefTrillie

What’s Steve Kerr beef with Tatum?

Tatum was a key member of Team USA when it won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, but he hasn’t had the chance to do much in this year’s Olympics. His best game came against Puerto Rico when he had 10 points and 10 boards in 22 minutes.

Team USA will now face France and has the chance to win a fifth straight gold medal. Whether Tatum will be a part of the team’s efforts on Saturday is to be determined.




Source link

Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *