"Steve Kerr that's some bulls**t" - Stephen A. Smith rips into Team USA coach for reducing Jayson Tatum to 'waterboy' status

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith wasn't happy that Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum didn't get playing time for Team USA in their first game of the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday, where they defeated Serbia (110-84). Tatum and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton were both registered as DNP in the blowout game.

LeBron James led the charge for Team USA and finished with 21 points, seven rebounds and nine assists. Kevin Durant came off the bench but also had a great night as he scored 23 points and shot 8-9 from the field—this was his first 5v5 playing experience since April.

Despite getting the win, some fans didn't like that Tatum registered zero minutes in their first Olympic game this year. One of them was Smith, who ranted about the issue in his eponymous show on Monday.

"The reigning, defending NBA champion Jayson Tatum. And you can't find minutes?" Smith asked. "In a 26-point lopsided victory, you can't find one minute."

Smith then went off on Steve Kerr, the head coach of Team USA.

​

"Steve Kerr, that's some straight bulls**t. You gotta be kidding me. And to have him go through an entire NBA season and then go through the playoffs and capture a championship and still take time in his offseason to join Team USA and to have a champion riding the bench, like he's some d**n waterboy. You've got to be kidding me."

"Really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than ten guys. It's Team USA!," Smith added.

In interviews after the game, Kerr apologized for not being able to maximize the national team's roster.

​

"It's really hard in a 40-minute game to play more than 10 guys... With Kevin [Durant] coming back, I just went to the combinations that I felt made the most sense," Kerr said. "It seems crazy. I thought I was crazy when I looked at everything and determined these are the lineups I wanted to get to."

He discussed further in an exclusive with ESPN's Brian Windhorst, and also confirmed that Tatum would play on Wednesday as they take on South Sudan:

​

"Yeah, it's tough but Jayson [Tatum] handled it really well. I talked to him before the game that it might play out this way with Kevin [Durant] coming back, the lineups that I wanted to get to, but that'll change. Jayson's gonna play."

---

Stephen A. Smith complimented Durant for stellar performance

In Team USA's victory against Serbia, Durant stood out as he scored the most points out of everyone on the team. He even outperformed some of the players who came off the bench with him. Smith was impressed with how efficient the two-time NBA champion was on the court.

Durant knocked down 88.9% of his field goals and went 5-5 from beyond the arc. His presence was a much-needed aspect for the team since James was doing most of the offensive lifting for the squad during their exhibition games. Many are expecting Durant to replicate this performance in their succeeding matches.

​