NCAA coach calls Jayson Tatum rotation snub discourse ‘embarrassing’: “ALL TIME American sports entitlement”
NCAA coach Dough Gottlieb has called out the discourse over Jayson Tatum's benching for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics Basketball event. Tatum has played three out of five games. The only games he didn't play were the opener and semifinals against Serbia.
Both times, coach Steve Kerr and the USA's staff faced stark criticism for not playing the reigning NBA champion. The semifinals benching irked many, including Tatum's mom, as the USA could have used him in a game they nearly lost after trailing by 17 points.
However, Gottlieb had polar opposite views on this matter.
"Personally the entire Jayson Tatum discussion is embarrassing," the UW Green Bay coach tweeted. "Ruining one of the most incredible high level Olympic Games with palaver about a player who didn’t play on the winning team is ALL TIME American sports entitlement. (1)"
Gottlieb's thread had two more tweets. He explained that a player should be willing to accept any role on the team, whether he's playing or not. Gottlieb referenced the Jaylen Brown snub, suggesting a benching for him could've been on the cards because of the talent the USA boasts.
He closed his argument by killing the narrative about Nike's involvement in leaving Brown home. Gottlieb added that using NBA awards as barometers for FIBA selection isn't valid, similar to college and pros.
Steve Kerr breaks silence on Jayson Tatum's benching
While the discourse around not playing Jayson Tatum grew, Steve Kerr addressed the situation on Friday. The USA coach blamed his harsh rotation policy on a 'math problem.'
"It’s not about anything Jayson is doing or not doing," Kerr said (via Associated Press). "It’s just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin has filled in since he came back from his injury. It’s just a math problem more than anything."
The Americans have preferred playing small with the starters in most games, with Steph Curry, Devin Booker and Jrue Holiday playing one through three.
Kevin Durant has led the second unit at the small forward position, while Derrick White and Anthony Edwards have been the two guards. The USA has stuck with Anthony Davis and Bam Adebayo at the four and five because of the defensive versatility the two bring to the table.
When Tatum featured often during the showcase game, the USA was down a wing because of Durant's injury. That saw Tatum start or come off the bench based on matchups.
However, Jayson Tatum deserved a place in the rotation against Serbia. He could've been a solid defensive option because of his versatility, length and foot speed, helping the Americans limit Serbia's hot shooting spree early.
Nevertheless, it all worked out in the end, but the USA can't afford another misjudgment on rotations in a knockout setting, especially in Saturday's gold medal showdown against hosts France.