Lots of people are aggravated at Jayson Tatum’s lack of enjoying time with Group USA.
Add Bob Cousy to the listing.
The Celtics legend and basketball Corridor of Famer, who’s now 96 years outdated, just lately spoke on Tatum not getting enjoying time but once more as he was shelved for Group USA’s come-from-behind Olympic semifinal win over Serbia on Thursday.
“This isn’t only a snub,” Cousy stated in an interview with the Boston Globe on Friday. “This is a humiliation for that poor child all around the [expletive] world. The Olympics have gotten that huge. Everybody’s going to suppose that there’s one thing incorrect this this child.”
Tatum, regardless of being extensively thought-about the most effective participant on the Celtics on what was the most effective staff and 2024 NBA Champions, is one in all three Boston stars on Group USA — and the one one not within the common rotation.
Beginning Celtics guards Derrick White and Jrue Vacation have been mainstays within the rotation — with Vacation additionally beginning for the People — whereas Tatum has now been a DNP-CD (didn’t play, coach’s choice) in two of the staff’s 5 video games.
The one different one who has is Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, the secon- youngest participant on the staff.
Cousy additionally stated that he believes “somebody from Boston ought to get up” for Tatum.
“When [coach Steve] 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. After which to not let Tatum get off the bench — to me, there’s received to be some type of bias that he’s received towards the Celtics.”
Kerr received wind of the accusation and countered.
“It’s not about something Jayson is doing or not doing,” Kerr stated. “It’s nearly combos and the way in which that group has performed collectively, the way in which Kevin has stuffed in since he got here again from his damage. It’s only a math drawback greater than something.”
Whereas Tatum’s absence has precipitated one thing of an uproar, Group USA is 5-0 and has solely had one shut victory for the reason that video games began formally.
And once you have a look at the rosters, there’s a pathway to justify Tatum’s absence.
There are 12 gamers on Group USA to play 40-minute video games, and given the shortage of timeouts in worldwide play, you’re nonetheless more likely to go 10-deep in your rotation — as is the case with many elite groups in EuroLeague and Europe generally, however sometimes, one may increase.
Oftentimes, 10 is the quantity you’d mission to make use of, particularly in an Olympic event.
Of Kerr’s 10: Joel Embiid, Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo are wanted as bigs, the latter two are particularly wanted for versatile protection and — particularly in Davis’ case — rebounding, whereas Embiid begins.
Steph Curry is Steph Curry, plus protection is why Vacation and White work as glue guys within the backcourt.
In any other case, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Anthony Edwards are the wings who play forward of Tatum, who gives duplication on the roster in comparison with what the others do.
And, up to now, Booker or Edwards may very well be seen because the “odd man out” for Tatum — however each have merely performed higher.
Booker’s the staff’s sixth-leading scorer and is taking pictures 61 p.c from 3-point land, tying Durant for the staff lead.
Edwards is second on the staff scoring behind James whereas taking pictures 60 p.c from the sector and 45 p.c from deep.
Tatum is averaging 19.9 minutes throughout his three appearances, and he’s scoring simply 6.3 factors whereas taking pictures 39 p.c from the sector and is 0-for-3 from deep.
2024 PARIS OLYMPICS
The People will play France for the gold medal on Saturday.
It’ll be the second straight Olympics the place USA and France face off within the ultimate.
Group USA narrowly beat France 87-82 for the gold in 2021.
