Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is bracing for backlash from Boston Celtics fans following his decision to bench Jayson Tatum during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
As Team USA’s head coach, Kerr faced criticism after limiting Tatum’s playing time during the tournament.
In an interview with Steve Aschburner of NBA.com, Kerr explained his reasoning behind Tatum’s reduced minutes.
“Tatum handled things so well. It became a media subject, but he couldn’t have handled it better,” Kerr said.
Despite being a newly crowned NBA champion, Tatum only played in four of Team USA’s six games, averaging 17.7 minutes per game.
Kerr emphasized that managing playing time was a challenge with so many stars on the roster.
“Every game was different. We talked from the start about how only nine out of 12 could play consistent minutes,” Kerr explained.
He praised Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton for their professionalism throughout the tournament, despite not getting the minutes many expected.
Kerr acknowledged that his decisions weren’t popular, especially in Boston, where Tatum’s benching sparked debate.
The Celtics forward, coming off a stellar NBA Finals run, averaged 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.5 assists during the Olympics.
Despite the media scrutiny, Kerr praised Tatum for supporting his teammates and staying focused on the team’s success.
As Kerr looks ahead to the NBA season, he expects Boston fans to voice their displeasure during the Warriors’ visit to TD Garden on November 6.
“I think they’re going to be all over me,” Kerr said with a laugh, referring to the expected reception from Celtics fans.
Kerr’s decision to bench one of the Celtics’ biggest stars, even temporarily, hasn’t been forgotten by the Boston faithful.
Tatum’s limited minutes became a hot topic, especially considering his key role in leading the Celtics to an NBA championship just months earlier.
