Boston Celtics proprietor Wyc Grousbeck joined a rising record of critics of Staff USA males’s basketball coach Steve Kerr on Friday.
Throughout an look on WEEI’s “The Greg Hill Present,” Grousbeck referred to as out the Golden State Warriors chief for his “mystifying” utilization of Celtics star ahead Jayson Tatum throughout the Summer season Olympics in Paris.
Wyc Grousbeck to @TheGregHillShow on Jayson Tatum not taking part in within the Olympics:
“I imply, I would not play Steve Kerr, let me put it that manner… What is going on on? It is a thriller. It is a full thriller. I believe Jayson does not deserve something however reward, kudos and taking part in time.” pic.twitter.com/2T6d5rYznx
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) August 9, 2024
The five-time All-Star was a wholesome scratch for the People’ Olympic-opening 110-84 victory in opposition to Serbia on July 28. Tatum started and played 17 minutes for the squad in its 103-86 win in opposition to South Sudan on July 31, ending with 4 factors and 5 rebounds on 2-of-4 capturing. Tatum’s 17 minutes and 10 seconds on the ground that evening had been eighth-most of the 11 gamers who suited up.
He had his greatest alternative within the remaining sport of the group section on Saturday in opposition to Puerto Rico, incomes one other begin and tying Joel Embiid for essentially the most court docket time at 22 minutes and 44 seconds. Tatum took benefit of the possibility, posting a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double on 4-of-9 capturing, as Kerr’s crew swept their option to the quarterfinals with a 104-83 choice.
Staff USA routed Brazil 122-87 on Tuesday, with Tatum’s 19 minutes and 50 seconds of motion off the bench solely trailing Anthony Edwards (20:53) and Kevin Durant (20:45). The Duke product struggled with 5 factors and three rebounds on 1-of-5 capturing.
Tatum, once more, wasn’t used when Staff USA performed Serbia, this time in a come-from-behind, 95-91 semifinal win on Thursday. Like the primary matchup in opposition to three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic’s Serbians, Tatum was joined by guard Tyrese Haliburton on the bench for the whole thing of the competition.
Grousbeck joins retired former Boston heart Kendrick Perkins and Tatum’s mother (amongst others) in voicing their displeasure with Kerr over the 26-year-old’s taking part in time. Celtics legend Bob Cousy, who celebrated his 96th birthday on Friday, entered the dialog too, telling Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe that the state of affairs was “an embarrassment.”
There are a number of reputable causes that Kerr has defined when defending his selections, and there are most likely extra that cheap followers might provide you with.
The 58-year-old stated on Friday that Tatum’s absence in the latest win was resulting from a “math problem,” which, with 12 superstars combating for minutes, is sensible.
In contrast to NBA video games, which have 48 minutes in regulation, the Olympic battles solely go 40 minutes, making it much more troublesome to divvy up taking part in time among the many dozen athletes.
If Staff USA defeats host France on Saturday and captures its fifth straight gold medal, Celtics followers could also be in a extra forgiving temper. It would not harm if Tatum was on the ground for the clinching victory, although.
