NBA legend credits Jayson Tatum for handling Team USA role with class

 

Following his impressive NBA championship win last season, Jayson Tatum encountered a humbling situation during the 2024 Olympics held in Paris. Despite his stellar performance in previous seasons, including being named to the All-NBA First Team three times, Tatum found himself sidelined by Team USA’s coach, Steve Kerr.

Kerr’s decision to bench Tatum was made for Team USA’s opening game against Serbia. This move sparked considerable debate and criticism from various quarters. Despite the backlash, Kerr remained resolute and chose to bench Tatum once more in the semifinals, where Team USA faced Serbia again. This decision was particularly surprising given Tatum’s reputation and past contributions.

In a recent episode of the podcast “7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony and The Kid Mero,” Carmelo Anthony offered high praise for Tatum’s response to the situation. Anthony acknowledged Tatum’s grace and professionalism in handling the benching, highlighting how these qualities reflect his character.

Tatum’s association with the U.S. National Team dates back to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he played a pivotal role in securing a gold medal. During those games, he was the second most valuable player on the team, just behind Kevin Durant. Tatum was widely regarded as a future cornerstone of the U.S. National Team, which made Kerr’s decision even more perplexing.

Tatum is recognized as one of the most versatile players in the world. His skill set includes elite playmaking, excellent rebounding, and strong defensive capabilities. However, it seemed that his recent struggles with scoring overshadowed these other aspects of his game, leading to his exclusion from critical moments.

Despite the unexpected benching, Tatum managed to secure his second Olympic gold medal. With this achievement, he will return to Boston with renewed determination, aiming to pursue back-to-back NBA championships. The experience raises questions about how his time at the 2024 Olympics might influence his future involvement with Team USA.

There is some uncertainty about whether Tatum will participate in the 2028 Olympics, but one thing is clear: Anthony’s comments on the podcast resonate strongly. Tatum’s handling of the situation with such class and professionalism is a testament to his maturity and resilience. These attributes have been instrumental in establishing him as one of the premier players in the world.

As the new NBA season approaches, Celtics fans are eagerly anticipating Tatum’s return to the court. They hope he will demonstrate his skills and remind everyone of his exceptional talent, despite the challenges faced during the Olympics. Tatum’s performance in the upcoming season will be closely watched as he seeks to build on his successes and continue his rise as a top player in the league.