Team USA Basketball Faces Controversy Over Tatum's Benching in Olympic Opener

In a surprising move during the Paris Summer Games, Team USA Basketball benched star player Jayson Tatum in their first official Olympic matchup against Serbia, resulting in zero minutes played. Tatum's performance in the subsequent game against South Sudan was also underwhelming, as he managed only four points on 2-of-4 shooting in 17 minutes. This decision has sparked significant debate among fans and analysts alike. Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green has publicly criticized the coaching staff for their handling of Tatum, a reigning NBA champion. Speaking on his podcast, Green expressed his discontent with the decision to bench Tatum entirely against Serbia and to limit Joel Embiid's playing time against South Sudan. He emphasized that such choices could undermine the team's potential, stating, "Not playing [Tatum] was wrong." Green further argued that the coaching staff's approach seemed reactive rather than strategic, suggesting that they should establish a consistent rotation rather than adjusting based on opponents. He asserted that Team USA possesses the best players globally and should not feel the need to adapt their lineup to match lesser teams. As the team navigates these early challenges in the tournament, the spotlight remains on the coaching decisions and their impact on the performance of key players like Tatum and Embiid. Fans and analysts are eager to see how Team USA will respond in the upcoming matches.