Team USA head coach Steve Kerr has received a lot of blowback for his benching of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum in the Paris Olympics, and the latest one to speak out is “Mr. Houdini” himself, Bob Cousy.
The six-time NBA champion, who turned 96 years old yesterday, did not hold back on Steve Kerr during his recent interview with Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe.
“This isn’t just a snub,” Cousy said. “This is an embarrassment for that poor kid all over the [expletive] world. The Olympics have gotten that big. Everyone’s going to think that there’s something wrong this kid.
“Not playing Tatum at all says to the world, ‘Not only is he not top five, he’s not good enough to get into a close game.’ I can’t figure out Kerr’s thinking, and he’s done it twice, so he obviously feels strongly about it. He must think Tatum is a detriment, and I don’t see how he can feel that way and know anything about basketball,” he added.
Jayson Tatum’s role within Team USA has been inconsistent (at best) in the Paris Games, as the Boston Celtics forward hasn’t played since their final group-stage match against Brazil.
Jayson Tatum’s mom is also confused as to why the Boston Celtics star is being benched
Jayson Tatum’s mother, Brandy Cole, took to X (formerly known as Twitter), searching for answers as to why Team USA didn’t play her son for the second time in their win against Serbia. While Steve Kerr said that the Boston Celtics forward’s benching was “just a math problem,” Cole doesn’t seem to buy it.
“Someone pls let me know is @jaytatum0 injured as he hasn’t received the PT ( playing time ) u would expect an All-NBA player to get,” Dick Vitale wrote.
“No he not,” Cole replied. “But if you find out what’s going on please let me know – unacceptable and makes NO SENSE.”
