Steve Kerr benched Jayson Tatum for Team USA’s 95-91 win over Serbia within the Olympics semi-final on Thursday. It was the second time the Boston Celtics star had obtained a DNP-CD in the course of the event, with the primary occurring in the course of the opening group-stage recreation, additionally towards Serbia.
When speaking to the Boston Globe, Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy pulled no punches in his evaluation of Kerr’s choice to bench among the finest gamers on the planet.
“When Kerr did it final week, he was in no hazard of dropping the sport, however on this case, they received down by 17 factors, and he’s received to fret about dropping the sport,” Cousy stated. “After which to not let Tatum get off the bench — to me, there’s received to be some form of bias that he’s received towards the Celtics…He should assume Tatum is a detriment, and I don’t see how he can really feel that manner and know something about basketball.”
Cousy is a six-time NBA champion, a 13-time All-Star, the 1957 MVP and his quantity hangs within the rafters of the TD Backyard. He’s seen as one of many best level guards in historical past.
At 96 years previous, Cousy has watched an incredible quantity of basketball in his lifetime. He understands the sport from each angle. He is been a participant, a coach and a fan.
Whereas benching Tatum actually brought on a stir to start the event, Kerr’s choice to double down on not taking part in him towards Serbia has raised some eyebrows. The USA’s triple-guard lineup regarded inclined on the defensive finish, and Kerr’s crew struggled to regulate the glass.
Tatum is likely one of the finest rebounders on the crew and may function as a major playmaker within the half court docket. His presence may have solved two of the largest points the USA confronted on Thursday. Moreover, Cousy is not the one former NBA expertise to query Kerr’s decision-making. Former NBA guard Theo Pinson shared his bewilderment in a put up on X on Friday.
