On The Sheed & Tyler Show, former NBA players Rasheed Wallace, Bonzi Wells, and Tyler Johnson, discussed Jayson Tatum and the drama surrounding the Olympics. Bonzi Wells said it was “disrespectful” for Olympic Coach Steve Kerr not to play Jayson Tatum when his teammates, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White got significant minutes on Team USA. Meanwhile, podcast cohost Rasheed Wallace took a different stance. Wallace agreed with Boston Celtics legend Kevin Garnett’s opinion that Kerr did Tatum a favor by not playing him in the Olympics.
“Disrespectful” to Bench Jayson Tatum
Bonzi Wells said “I feel like for Jayson Tatum that was very disrespectful… You’re one of the best players in the world and you got the third and fourth-best player on your team getting more minutes than you.” Wells’ opinion seems to be how most Celtics fans felt when Tatum did not play. Jayson Tatum was coming off a playoff run where he averaged 25.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists, leading the Celtics to an NBA Championship. While the Finals MVP award went to his teammate, Jaylen Brown, Tatum’s impact was undeniable.
Many thought this run would finally cement Tatum as a top star in the NBA. So, it was a surprise to see him not play in the Olympics. Steve Kerr, however, could not find a spot for Tatum in the lineups he was running, with Lebron James and Kevin Durant both playing the same position as Tatum. Also, Tatum was having his own struggles. During the NBA Finals, and during the Olympic games where he saw the court, his shooting percentages were not up to his usual standards. In Olympic and exhibition games, Tatum did not make a single jump-shot. On jump-shots, he was 0/16 in the Olympics.
In Favor of Benching Jayson Tatum
Celtics legend Kevin Garnett gave his thoughts on Tatum’s lack of playing time, saying, “It was great that he didn’t have to play a lot of minutes. He’s coming off of the Finals… I’m glad they didn’t need Jayson Tatum. I’m glad he got to actually rest and chill.” From the perspective of Tatum’s health, Garnett is technically right that it was better for him not to play. After a playoff run where he played extensive minutes, it is better for Tatum’s body and health to not get extensive playing time in the Olympics. Rasheed Wallace agreed with Garnett’s sentiment, saying, “In my opinion, Steve Kerr did him a favor by sitting him out a few of the games.”
However, this goes around the fact that Jrue Holiday and Derrick White were also starters on the Celtics for the entire playoff run and got extensive playing time for Team USA. To that, Rasheed Wallace said “White and Jrue Holiday didn’t get that many minutes or that pressure… That pressure was on Tatum and Jaylen Brown.” So, the argument was that because Jayson Tatum is the franchise player for the Celtics, and Holiday and White are supporting pieces, it is okay for them to play in the Olympics while Tatum does not.
Final Thoughts
Jayson Tatum’s lack of playing time in the Olympics came as a shock to many Celtics fans. After a title run where he’d etched his name among the best in the NBA, he was on the bench for multiple games in the Olympics. Whether it was because of his inefficient shooting, or simply not fitting into the lineups, people have taken different stances on this. Wallace and Garnett agree that it is a good thing for Tatum’s health, while Bonzi Wells views it as disrespectful.
But, at the end of the day, Tatum got a gold medal, the same as everyone else, and will look to lead the Boston Celtics to more success, perhaps with an Olympic chip on his shoulder.
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