Paris, France – Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum found himself on the sidelines once again as Team USA narrowly escaped a stunning upset against Serbia in the Olympic semifinals. Steve Kerr’s decision to limit Tatum’s playing time has sparked controversy, and his latest explanation is raising eyebrows.
The head coach insists that Tatum’s absence isn’t due to the player’s performance but rather a complex “math problem.” Kerr claims that the team’s second unit, despite struggling, has been a defensive strength and that finding minutes for everyone is challenging.
This explanation rings hollow after Team USA’s dramatic comeback from a 17-point deficit. With Anthony Edwards and Devin Booker struggling defensively, Tatum’s versatility and defensive prowess could have been invaluable.
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Kerr’s previous admission of feeling like an “idiot” for benching Tatum in an earlier game contrasts sharply with his current “math problem” excuse. As the US prepares for the gold medal game against France, questions about Tatum’s role and Kerr’s coaching decisions will undoubtedly persist.
