The U.S. men’s basketball team played their best game of the summer against Serbia in the opening game of the Paris Olympics, winning 110-84 to get the tournament off to a strong start.
But while there was plenty to be happy about for those rooting for the U.S. team, what caught the attention of many was that Jayson Tatum didn’t touch the court during the entire 40-minute match.
When asked about Tatum being left out of the starting rotation after the team’s season-opening win, head coach Steve Kerr was candid about his mistake in not using Tatum.
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Jayson Tatum of the U.S. Men’s National Team watches during practice at Palais des Sports Marcel Cerdans on July 27, 2024 in Paris. (Jesse D. Garrabrant NBAE via Getty Images)
“I felt like a fool not to use him,” Kerr told ESPN.
Kerr deployed 10 players total to the roster on Sunday afternoon, including starting shooting guard July Holiday, Tatum’s teammate with the Boston Celtics, and Derrick White, a late addition to the U.S. national team earlier this year.
“I can’t play more than 10 minutes in a 40-minute game.” [players]”so I [Tatum’s] “He’s a great guy, a great player, he handled it well and will be back in the next game.”
Tori Huske and Gretchen Walsh of the United States take first and second places in the 100m butterfly at the Paris Olympics
Kerr said he spoke with Tatum before the game and told him his playing time would be minimal or possibly nonexistent.
“It’s a tough situation but Jason handled it well,” Kerr explained. “I spoke to him before the game and with Kevin there, this is how it could have played out. [Durant] I’ll come back and be back in the lineup that I wanted, but it’s going to be different, Jason will be playing, it’s going to be different game by game depending on who’s playing.
Team USA’s Jayson Tatum (left) and Stephen Curry celebrate during a group stage game against Serbia at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille, France, on July 28, 2024. (Markus Gilliar – GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Durant was the first USA player off the bench and scored 21 points in the first half on 8-of-8 shooting, finishing with 23 points to lead the team.
Kerr also used centers Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis and guard Anthony Edwards in the win over Nikola Jokic and the Serbian national team.
Tatum’s skill on the court is clear as he has been named to the All-NBA First Team for the past three consecutive seasons, including just a month ago when the Celtics won the championship.
As Kerr puts it, the 26-year-old will eventually play in his first Olympic Games when the U.S. takes on South Sudan in Lille, France, on July 31 at 3 p.m.
United States National Team head coach Steve Kerr watches the team’s game against Serbia at Stade Pierre Mauroy on July 28, 2024 in Lille, France. (Katherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
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South Sudan had a tough time against the U.S. in an exhibition match in London on July 20, needing LeBron James to make a game-winning layup in the fourth quarter.
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