In our minds, there is only one logical reason that Team USA head coach Steve Kerr elected not to play Jayson Tatum in Sunday’s Olympic opener in Paris, and that was to set a tone of sacrifice for a talent-gushing roster hell-bent on a gold-medal finish.
Because there is no other rational reason to bench a healthy, All-NBA First-Teamer coming off a championship season.
Kerr admitted after Team USA’s lopsided win over Serbia that he “felt like an idiot” for not playing Tatum, and that would be an accurate assessment if there was any other motivation behind the decision.
Fresh off their 18th NBA Championship, the Boston Celtics have approached the 2024 offseason with a calculated strategy to maintain their championship-winning core while making critical enhancements to their roster.
Determined to defend their title, the Celtics focused on retaining their pivotal players and adding depth where necessary.
The most headline-grabbing move was the record-breaking extension of Jayson Tatum.
The Celtics secured Tatum with a five-year deal, ensuring that their franchise cornerstone remains in Boston for the foreseeable future. T
atum’s leadership and scoring ability were pivotal in their championship run, and this extension reflects the team’s commitment to building around him.
