Every player must get adequate rest following a draining 8-month NBA season, and the challenge intensifies for those who represent their country on the international stage. Kevin Garnett acknowledged this reality and commended Jayson Tatum's dedication and willingness to be part of Team USA for the 2024 Paris Olympics despite leading the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship this season.
Drawing from his own experience from the 2000 campaign, when he represented Team USA in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, The Big Ticket applauded Steve Kerr and his fellow coaching staff for not draining out JT by handing him heavy minutes during the summer, thus avoiding complete exhaustion.
"Jayson Tatum has actually won the NBA championship during an Olympic year, which is probably the most difficult to do, right?" G arnett said . "Not only does Jayson not have a summer of relaxing and rejuvenating for another year... you gotta lock in when you in USA, it is serious business."
Garnett applauds Jayson Tatum's maturity
One of the biggest talking points about Team USA's summer time in Paris was the fact that Tatum was not given any time on the court in multiple games while role players like Derrick White played a more permanent role for Steve Kerr's team.
Given the buzz it generated within different media circuits and how Tatum was relentlessly encouraged to burst out his emotions for being benched, KG appreciated 'Taco Jay' for keeping his emotions in check and not letting his ego get in the way of the team's high-flying camaraderie.
"When everybody's talking about he was getting these DNPs, I bet you that it was a conversation with him and Grant Hill or with management about coming on the team and then having time to be able to rest," Garnett added. "Shoutout to JT, I don't think you heard him bickering."
Tatum did contribute to Team USA's success
It would be tough for any franchise cornerstone to be benched while other supporting players of the same team get more defined roles. Even though this must have been hard for JT to see, he always did what was best for the team.
Even though he may not have contributed to the court the way he wanted, JT's real contribution was not disrupting the team's chemistry, especially when they faced some bumps in the exhibition games before heading to the Olympics. That being said, while Tatum didn't play a big role on the court, his most significant contribution came off it, and props to KG for making sure everyone now notices that.
Related: Carmelo Anthony breaks down why he doesn't agree with Jayson Tatum not getting playing time for Team USA: "If I was Tatum, I would be pissed"
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