Charles Barkley Goes Off On Team USA After Disrespectful Jayson Tatum Decision

Jayson Tatum was dealt a tough hand in the Olympics. While most of Team USA played in their win against Serbia, he and Tyrese Haliburton rode the bench for the entire game. Even in garbage time, coach Steve Kerr never subbed the two All-Stars in.

Amid all the jokes about Tatum's benching was confusion about the decision. Why would Kerr not even consider subbing in the Boston Celtics star? It's a bizarre decision, all things considered.

Charles Barkley is one of the many prominent faces puzzled by the decision. In an interview on SiriusXM Radio, the former Olympian expressed his frustration at Kerr's decision to not sub in the Celtics star.

"He's got to play... Everyone on the team has to play. Do you have to play 25 to 30 minutes? No, but it's the Olympics," Barkley said.

Barkley pointed out that Tatum isn't a severe downgrade over Durant, so even if it was a close game, he should have had a chance still.

"It's not like there's a huge downgrade with Jayson Tatum in the game... Like, come on, man... everybody deserves to play at least ten minutes," Barkley continued.

Tatum did not play in the first half of the game against Serbia. While jokes were made about it, fans just assumed that Team USA was riding Durant's hot hand. However, the second half went by, and he still never made an appearance, even with KD not scoring much.

The five-time NBA All-Star will get a second chance to play in a few days against South Sudan. He played 16 minutes in their tune-up against them earlier, scoring nine points off the bench.

Related: Jayson Tatum Roasted After Getting Benched Vs. Serbia