Draymond Green did not hold back in criticizing Team USA head coach Steve Kerr and the coaching staff for their decision to bench Jayson Tatum during the team's Olympic opener against Serbia. On his podcast, "The Draymond Green Show," Green expressed his bewilderment and frustration over Tatum's lack of playing time, calling it a significant mistake.
"You don't not play Jayson Tatum. That man just won NBA championship, cover of NBA 2K, cover of Sports Illustrated... Just signed the biggest contract in NBA history. Oh, and by the way, your reward is sit down and don't play in the first Olympic game."
"So when you're going into that game, my thought process was, if you're not going to play two guys, the two guys you're probably not going to play is Tyrese and Derrick White."
"And in 2021, our team, our offense was built around Jayson Tatum and Kevin Kevin Durant. And it was almost kind of set up as though like KD was passing the torch to JT and then JT come out and not play. I couldn't believe that."
Kerr explained that he did not play Tatum because he opted for combinations that made more sense against Serbia and wanted to give Kevin Durant , who had just returned from injury, more minutes. However, Green was unconvinced by this rationale and pointed out Tatum's numerous accolades, emphasizing his importance to the team.
In the subsequent games, Team USA saw more lineup changes. Joel Embiid was left out against South Sudan, and Jrue Holiday sat out due to an ankle injury against Puerto Rico. Green criticized these moves, suggesting that Team USA should stick to a consistent rotation rather than adjusting to opponents.
Despite these internal issues, Team USA finished the group stage undefeated and secured the top seed, setting up a quarterfinal clash with Brazil. Green's remarks highlight the ongoing challenges and controversies within the team as they aim for Olympic gold.
This Issue Has Been Blown Out Of Proportion
I get why people insist Jayson Tatum should play; he is a bonafide top-10 player in the league, coming off a title, and just 26 years old. But this issue has been blown out of proportion.
The only reason Tatum didn't play is that Kevin Durant was making his return. Durant had not played a single minute in the five exhibition games but was fit enough to play in the first Olympic game. And he delivered with 23 points, going off for 21 points in a perfect first half.
The game was not a blowout initially. Team USA only had a 9-point lead at halftime. It turned into a blowout in the second half.
Moreover, it was just one game. Tatum played the next game and will get plenty of opportunities. This is his second Olympics, and he has a bright future ahead. This is most likely the last Olympics for LeBron , Durant, Curry, and probably Anthony Davis .
It's understandable that fans want to see Tatum on the court, given his talent and recent achievements. But considering the circumstances and the importance of allowing Durant to reintegrate and perform, the decision makes sense.
Tatum's time to shine will come, and he will have ample chances to contribute significantly to Team USA . There’s no need to overreact to one game when the broader picture includes strategic decisions for the team’s overall success and the honoring of veteran players in their likely final Olympic appearances.
Related: Draymond Green Thinks LeBron, Durant, And Curry Are Giving The Keys To Anthony Edwards For Team USA
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