Draymond slams Kerr, Team USA coaching staff for benching Tatum

Like the rest of the basketball world, Warriors veteran Draymond Green was puzzled by Team USA coach Steve Kerr’s decision to bench Jayson Tatum in the Olympic squad’s victory over Serbia last Sunday in Paris.

Draymond Green Blasts Steve Kerr for Benching Jayson Tatum: 'It's Wrong'

And while Kerr, also Green’s coach with Golden State, already said he felt like an “idiot” for the choice, his outspoken forward offered an opinion on the latest episode of “The Draymond Green Show.”

“Not playing [Tatum] was wrong,” Green said (h/t SI.com’s Kristen Wong). “We all know it was wrong. He should’ve played. He didn’t … What I don’t like about it is, now to me it feels like a covering my tracks, proving a point type of thing to where, oh now Joel [Embiid] is out of the lineup. And then [Saturday], Jrue [Holiday] didn’t play… From the outside looking in, it comes off as, ‘We made a mistake as a coaching staff.’ ”

Tatum and Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton were the only Team USA players to not log any minutes in the 110-84 win over Serbia, and the Boston Celtics star denied rumors he was ill after the game. Kerr later confirmed Tatum wasn’t benched due to any sickness, stating the NBA champion sat because Kerr “went with the combinations that made sense.”

“Every game’s going to be different based on matchups,” Kerr told ESPN’s Brian Windhorst after the game. “[Tatum is] a total pro, he’s First-Team All-NBA three years in a row. I felt like an idiot not playing him, but you know, 40-minute game, you can’t play more than 10 [players]. …

“[Tatum will] make his mark. Our guys know the key to this whole thing is to put all the NBA stuff in the rearview mirror and just win six games. Jayson is the ultimate pro and champion and he handled it well, and he’s going to be ready for the next game.”

Tatum started Team USA’s following game against South Sudan. But as Green noted, Embiid didn’t see the floor that game, which ultimately didn’t matter in the 103-86 blowout win. Then, on Saturday, both Tatum and Embiid were in the starting lineup in Team USA’s win over Puerto Rico, while Holiday missed the game with a reported ankle injury.

While Kerr certainly has his work cut out for him in working out rotations with his star-studded roster, Green offered some blunt advice to his coach and the rest of Team USA’s staff despite their undefeated record throughout the games so far.

“I’m sure it’s part ‘We can rest the ankle a little bit,’ but it’s part ‘We got to not play somebody,’ and quite frankly, I don’t like it,” Green said. “Come out with a rotation and stick with it. These teams aren’t good enough to where we’re trying to match their lineup. They got to match our lineup … We got the best players in the world. We’ll be fine.”

Kerr, Tatum and Team USA next face Brazil in the quarterfinals of the Paris Games on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. PT.

Related Posts

Stephon Marbury Says Stephen Curry Deserved Olympics MVP Over LeBron James

Stephon Marbury, a former NBA player and Team USA member, recently voiced his opinion that Stephen Curry, not LeBron James, deserved the MVP award at the 2024…

Team USA: Dwyane Wade Gives Stephen Curry the Ultimate Praise After Leading MBT to Gold in 2024 Olympics

It might have been tricky, but Team USA overcame an impressive outing from Victor Wembanyama and an undeniable homecourt advantage to walk away with the gold medal at the 2024 Paris…

Cowboys rookie review: Tyler Guyton impresses against Rams

For the first time since their embarrassing postseason exit courtesy of the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys were officially back on a football field. With a lot to sort…

Team USA: Jayson Tatum Appears To Echo Vince Staples’ Warning After Humbling Olympic Stint

Team USA got what it wanted in Paris, as it won the gold medal in the men’s basketball tournament at the 2024 Olympics. However, the Americans’ trip…

Lakers News: LeBron James Hopes Team USA Olympic Run Can ‘Inspire People’

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James was one of the defining stars of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He was the de facto captain of the Team…

3 Players the Heat would never bring back and (why)

When it comes to being a strong team in the NBA, it takes more than just superstar talent to win a championship. Role players are just as…