Steve Kerr’s Explanation for Tatum’s DNP Against Serbia Is Wrong, originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Stephen Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Joel Embiid deserve all the credit for leading Team USA to a thrilling comeback victory over Serbia in the semifinals of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
But there is another story that cannot be ignored.
Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum did not leave the bench in the 95-91 victory, the second time he has recorded a DNP at these Olympics (both against Serbia). Tatum has played a total of 60 minutes in five games in France and appears to be an afterthought in head coach Steve Kerr’s rotation.
Tatum isn’t injured, so why isn’t the reigning NBA champion’s best player getting more playing time?
“It’s not what I’m not seeing from Jayson; it’s what I’ve seen from the other guys,” Kerr told reporters on Friday, via Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “As I’ve said many times during this tournament and the last six weeks, it’s just tough to have 11 guys playing, even in an NBA game.”
Kerr pointed to the strong defensive play of Thursday’s backup unit — Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Edwards and Derrick White — and Durant’s contributions on both ends to explain why Tatum sat out.
“Our second unit wasn’t great (Thursday) night, but that group is one of the bright spots on this team, especially on defense. So it’s not about what Jayson does or doesn’t do. It’s just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin (Durant) has stepped in since he came back from his injury.
“It’s mainly a mathematical problem.”
Kerr makes a good point about his minutes problem. It’s nearly impossible to divide 40 minutes of playing time — eight fewer than an NBA game — among 12 players, and with a roster full of All-Stars, there has to be at least one or two big names in each game.
The problem with Kerr is more about his calculations and why Tatum seems like the odd one out.
While Tatum hasn’t had a great offensive tournament, he’s still an exceptional two-way player who offers length, defensive versatility, rebounding and playmaking. When Kerr started Tatum against Puerto Rico in group play, he responded with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in a blowout win.
Team USA could have used at least Tatum’s rebounding skills against Serbia on Thursday. Serbia grabbed nine offensive rebounds and made 15 of 39 three-pointers to enter the fourth quarter with a double-digit lead before the U.S. starters pulled off a miraculous comeback.
Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens is among those hoping Kerr will field Tatum in the gold medal game against France, which has two 7-foot-1 players (Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert) and a muscular power forward in former Celtics player Guerschon Yabusele.
“It’s hard not to play, and I think it’s exponentially harder when you’re one of the best players in the world,” Stevens said Friday, via Himmelsbach. “But when we talked, he was all about the team. This is such a unique opportunity to win a gold medal at the Olympics. He’s always ready for it.
“The championship game will be on a great away game, and in those situations he excels.”
USA vs. France kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, and Kerr’s recent track record suggests Tatum won’t start or come off the bench. But Tatum is too talented a player with too much big-game experience to be on the bench in an Olympic gold medal game.
