The beginning of the 2024 Olympics in Paris featured an eye-opening resolution from Staff USA basketball head coach Steve Kerr in a 110-84 opening victory in opposition to Serbia. With the Individuals’ roster loaded with expertise, Kerr left Jayson Tatum (and Tyrese Haliburton) on the bench for the whole lot of the primary recreation.
The transfer got here as a shock initially, though Kerr proceeded at hand Joel Embiid a DNP-CD within the recreation that adopted in opposition to South Sudan. Nonetheless, the choice on Tatum, who’s recent off successful a title with the Boston Celtics and signing a five-year extension price as much as $315M, has been a preferred subject of dialogue.
Following that call, at the least considered one of Tatum’s teammates on the Celtics, Payton Pritchard, believes the All-Star guard will come again and have to show doubters flawed as soon as once more. And as he informed “The Level Ahead Podcast,” Pritchard is happy to see Tatum show critics flawed as soon as once more.
“I’m excited to see what he does with that. That simply provides extra gas to the fireplace.” Pritchard stated, by way of SB Nation. “Now you gotta present individuals once more as a result of they doubting. I’m wanting ahead to JT proving them flawed.”
The excellent news for the Celtics is that Tatum silencing critics this previous season performed at the least a small half within the workforce successful the NBA title in dominant trend. Boston, the highest seed within the Japanese Convention, was a full 14 video games forward of the No. 2 seed New York Knicks and proceeded to lose solely three video games within the playoffs and no multiple in any single collection.
After averaging 26.9 factors, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists per recreation whereas capturing 47.1 p.c from the sector within the common season, Tatum posted an exceptionally well-rounded stat line within the postseason. He averaged 25.0 factors, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists, placing his full talent set on show on the largest stage.
Staff USA is scheduled to play Serbia within the semifinal on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.