Despite winning a championship just a few short months ago, the Boston Celtics have endured quite a dramatic summer. In the past few weeks, that drama revolved around Jayson Tatum, Steve Kerr, and Team USA Basketball at the 2024 Olympics.
Tatum made the team, but he played a far different role from the one he was expecting. The Celtics star was one of the top scorers on the 2020 Olympic roster that won gold, yet when it came time to go for a repeat, he barely played. Head coach Steve Kerr sat him in two of the team’s six games and used him sparingly in the other contests.
Brad Stevens talks about his conversations with Jayson Tatum amid Team USA benchings: 'He's been all about the team'
In a recent interview with Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe, Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens commented on the drama surrounding Tatum and Team USA.
Stevens noted how hard it must have been for Tatum not to play but lauded his willingness to put the team first. He said he’s spoken with Tatum, and the 26-year-old has been preaching his desire to focus on Team USA over his own desires.
“It’s hard to not play, and I’m guessing it’s exponentially harder when you’re one of the best players in the world,” Stevens said. “But when we’ve talked, he’s been all about the team. This is such a unique opportunity to win a gold medal in the Olympics. He’s always ready. The championship game will be a great road environment, and he shines in those situations.”
In the four Olympic games Tatum played in, he averaged 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.0 steals while shooting just 38.1% from the floor. Tatum also struggled from distance, going 0-of-4 from beyond the arc. (He also shot 0-of-16 on jump shots in the Olympics.)
For the Celtics, Tatum is the focal point of the offense. Team USA already had guys to play that role. LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry got a ton of touches, leaving very little room for Tatum. And with his shooting struggles, his effectiveness in an off-ball role was limited.
That said, Stevens is confident in his guy. He always will be. And hopefully, for the Celtics, Tatum will come out with a fire lit under him next season.