During Team USA’s first game at the Olympics against Serbia, Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum found himself benched by head coach Steve Kerr. This prompted former NBA champion and sports analyst Kendrick Perkins to go off at the former Chicago Bulls star.
Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Kerr made the controversial decision to bench Tatum in the team’s opening game against Serbia. This move surprised many, as Tatum is one of the top players on the roster.
According to NBA insider Ramona Shelburne, Kerr had a conversation with Tatum prior to the Serbia game, informing the All-NBA forward that he did not expect him to see any playing time. Kerr cited the return of Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant from injury as the reason for pushing Tatum out of the rotation.
While Kerr admitted after the game that he felt “like an idiot” for not playing Tatum, he stated that the young star would see minutes in the team’s next contest. Kerr has emphasized that rotations and matchups can change from game to game, so Tatum will likely have an opportunity to contribute as the Olympics progress.
Kendrick Perkins Blasts Steve Kerr for Disrespecting Jayson Tatum at Olympics
After news came out that Tatum was benched against Serbia, different personalities gave their respective takes on the matter. Among those who shared their minds is former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins in a video shared by First Take’s official X account.
“You know what Jayson Tatum is going to bring to the table. You do not disrespect him and embarrass him the way that you did.”
—@KendrickPerkins on Steve Kerr sitting Jayson Tatum vs. Serbia pic.twitter.com/R1OpgRaU8a
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 29, 2024
The decision to bench Tatum was a controversial one, as the 24-year-old is viewed as a core piece of the US national team. However, Kerr and the coaching staff likely felt the need to prioritize Durant’s return and manage minutes effectively. It remains to be seen how Tatum will respond to the initial benching, but the door is open for him to play a significant role moving forward.
As it stands, Tatum is projected to play for Team USA in the coming days. If all goes well, Kerr will get to rectify his mistake on their way to a gold medal finish in Paris.
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