Steve Kerr benched Jayson Tatum for Workforce USA’s 95-91 win over Serbia within the Olympics semi-final on Thursday. It was the second time the Boston Celtics star had acquired a DNP-CD in the course of the event, with the primary occurring in the course of the opening group-stage sport, additionally in opposition to Serbia.
When chatting with the Boston Globe, Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy pulled no punches in his evaluation of Kerr’s resolution to bench top-of-the-line gamers on this planet.
“When Kerr did it final week, he was in no hazard of shedding the sport, however on this case, they received down by 17 factors, and he’s received to fret about shedding the sport,” Cousy stated. “After which to not let Tatum get off the bench — to me, there’s received to be some sort of bias that he’s received in opposition to the Celtics…He should assume Tatum is a detriment, and I don’t see how he can really feel that manner and know something about basketball.”
Cousy is a six-time NBA champion, a 13-time All-Star, the 1957 MVP and his quantity hangs within the rafters of the TD Backyard. He’s considered as one of many best level guards in historical past.
At 96 years outdated, Cousy has watched an incredible quantity of basketball in his lifetime. He understands the sport from each angle. He is been a participant, a coach and a fan.
Whereas benching Tatum definitely triggered a stir to start the event, Kerr’s resolution to double down on not taking part in him in opposition to Serbia has raised some eyebrows. The USA’s triple-guard lineup appeared prone on the defensive finish, and Kerr’s staff struggled to regulate the glass.
Tatum is among the finest rebounders on the staff and may function as a major playmaker within the half courtroom. His presence may have solved two of the largest points the USA confronted on Thursday. Moreover, Cousy is not the one former NBA expertise to query Kerr’s decision-making. Former NBA guard Theo Pinson shared his bewilderment in a submit on X on Friday.
