The Boston Celtics are coming off an NBA championship, but some of the players on the team are still on the court this summer as they’re representing Team USA during the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White make up three members of the 12-man roster and the program is considered the favorite to win the gold medal despite a strong field.
Teams like Germany, Canada and France are expected to compete for a medal but Team USA’s collection of talent and depth makes them an overwhelming force on the court.
The Americans’ path to the gold medal game started against Serbia in pool play and they dominated them to the tune of 110-84.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant led the way with 44 points, but Tatum didn’t get a chance to contribute as he sat the entirety of the game.
After the game, head coach Steve Kerr explained why Tatum was benched via Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe.
“Steve Kerr says Jayson Tatum sat mostly because of getting KD into the mix. But said there will be opportunities. ‘He’ll make his mark.'” Himmelsbach reported.
Steve Kerr says Jayson Tatum sat mostly because of getting KD into the mix.
But said there will be opportunities.“He’ll make his mark.”
— Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 28, 2024
Durant played with Team USA after sitting all the exhibition games, but he didn’t look any worse for wear as he was his usual self shooting the basketball.
Between James and Durant taking up most of the forward minutes and the guard rotation of Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Holiday and White set, it’ll be interesting to see how Kerr finds minutes for Tatum who is talented enough to play.
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