Kerr Discusses Tatum's Playing Time at Olympics
- Jayson Tatum has missed two out of five U.S. games during the Paris Olympics.
- Steve Kerr, the U.S. team's coach, discussed the reasons behind Tatum not playing in the matchups against Serbia.
- This decision has sparked interest and speculation about player rotation and strategies during the Olympics.
— Jayson Tatum has missed two of the five games for the U.S. basketball team at the Paris Olympics, specifically both matches against Serbia. In contrast, Stephen Curry and LeBron James have logged significant minutes, with Curry playing 33 and James 32 in their latest game. The U.S. team, featuring stars like Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, and Bam Adebayo, struggled when they played together, being outscored 17-4 by Serbia during a brief four-minute stretch. Despite Tatum's limited contributions, he did play 23 minutes in the group stage finale against Puerto Rico, although he has yet to make a three-pointer in the tournament. Coach Steve Kerr emphasized that Tatum's performance is not a concern, highlighting the team's diverse scoring leadership throughout the games. Each of the five games has seen a different player lead in scoring, showcasing the team's adaptability. Curry noted the importance of playing according to the flow of the game, rather than forcing shots. As the U.S. approaches the gold medal match against France, the team hopes for continued contributions from all players. Kevin Durant stands on the brink of making history as the first men's player to win four Olympic gold medals, joining an elite group of American athletes with four golds in any event. If the U.S. secures victory on Saturday, Tatum, along with his Boston Celtics teammates Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, could join a rare club of athletes who have won both an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.