Boston Celtics fans and multiple retired NBA players were irate to see Jayson Tatum earn a DNP designation in Team USA's semifinal win, and the All-NBA star's family also wanted an explanation.
The United States on Thursday earned a comeback win against Serbia to advance to the gold medal game against France. Head coach Steve Kerr did not play Tatum or Tyrese Haliburton a single minute even when his team was down double-digits. Stephen Curry and LeBron James led the rally for the Americans, but fans in Tatum's corner wondered why the All-Star forward didn't crack the 10-man rotation.
Kerr noted it was a "math problem" and highlighted how Kevin Durant, who reportedly will start Saturday, worked well leading the second unit. Tatum also sat out Team USA's group phase opener against Serbia, but he did play the other games in the Paris Summer Olympics.
However, it was not enough for the masses, especially Celtics fans, to the point where Tatum's mother wanted to know what was going on. His father also wanted to speak to the United States basketball program's manager.
"Man please. Miss me with that BS!!" Justin Tatum posted on X on Friday in response to Kerr's explanation for his son's benching.
The response from Jayson Tatum's father along with former NBA star Jeff Teague and Celtics legend Bob Cousy's outcries was the confirmation bias Celtics fans needed against Kerr's coaching tactics.
Team USA is one win away from winning its 17th Olympic gold medal, but Boston eagerly awaits to see if Tatum will ride the bench against France.
