Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum had a special visitor in Paris this past summer when he struggled at the 2024 Olympic Games.
Tatum was coming off leading Boston to its first NBA championship since 2008 with the team’s five-game series victory over the Dallas Mavericks in June. Just a few months later, when Tatum headed to Paris to represent Team USA at the Paris 2024 Olympics, things didn’t go as smoothly.
Even though Team USA went on to win the gold, Tatum looked frustrated. He didn’t even play in two of the six games and looked out of rhythm when he stepped on the court. He averaged 17.7 minutes, 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.
Bill Simmons, the well-known sports podcaster, recently shared that Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics’ head coach, flew to Paris to check on Tatum during his rough stretch.
There was much hullabaloo over Steve Kerr’s benching of Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum during Team USA’s campaign in the Paris Olympics.
Kerr, who coaches the Golden State Warriors, admitted that it was tough finding minutes for everyone, including an NBA champion and All-NBA First Team member like Tatum.
Despite the situation, Tatum said he remained professional and continued to do the work. In the end, he won his second Olympic gold medal.
In a recent interview with NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner, Kerr said he expects a rude welcome from Celtics fans when the Warriors visit Beantown this season because of his treatment of Tatum.
“I think they’re going to be all over me,” said Kerr. “That’s fine.”
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