In the post, the Duke Men's Basketball admin wrote that they would start Tatum in order to "help deal with France's size," as the host team boasts San Antonio Spurs big man and reigning NBA Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama, as well as the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert.
Gold medal game today! Just the admin but we’d start @jaytatum0 to help deal with France’s size pic.twitter.com/328ISYMSlg
Tatum has played only sparingly in Paris, and he did not see a single minute of action in the United States' come-from-behind win over Serbia in the semifinals.
The 26-year-old Tatum is coming off the season of his life, as he was named an All-Star for the fifth time, finished sixth in the NBA MVP voting and helped lead the Celtics to an NBA championship.
After the Americans overcame a 17-point deficit to beat Serbia in the semis, Kerr explained to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe (h/t Matt Geagan of CBS Boston) that Tatum's second DNP was merely a numbers game, saying:
"It's not what I'm not seeing from Jayson; it's what I've seen from the other guys. Like I've said many times during this tournament and the last six weeks, it's just hard to play 11 people, even in an NBA game.
"Our second unit was not great last night, but that group has been one of the bright spots on this team, especially on the defensive end. So it's not about what Jayson is doing or not doing. It's just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin [Durant] has filled in since he came back from his injury. It's just a math problem more than anything."
Kerr leaned heavily on four players in particular during the fourth quarter against Serbia, and it proved to be a winning move.
Warriors star Stephen Curry led the U.S. with 36 points, Los Angeles Lakers legend LeBron James had a triple-double, former Warriors and current Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant had nine points off the bench including some clutch buckets down the stretch, and 2023 NBA MVP Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers had 19 points.
While a lack of consistent playing time may have something to do with it, Tatum hasn't been at his best even when he has been used in Paris, averaging 6.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game, while shooting just 38.9 percent from the field.
Tatum isn't the only one who has been on the outside looking in, as Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton has barely played, averaging just 2.7 points in 8.8 minutes per contest.
While it is difficult to envision Kerr expanding his rotation too much given that his plan has gotten Team USA to this point, perhaps he will have something up his sleeve regarding Tatum when the U.S. and France battle for gold on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Of course, France boasts the uncanny force that is 7-foot-3 San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama. Team USA struggled to contain Serbian big man Nikola Jokic in the semifinal, so perhaps Tatum can assists in that respect.
“Gold medal game today!” they wrote. “Just the admin but we’d start [Jayson Tatum] to help deal with France’s size.”
It’s not really Tatum’s size that Duke is hoping gets him on the floor in the gold medal game.
The Boston Celtics star’s playing time has been a hotly contested debate since Team USA began their Olympic journey late last month. In the opening game of group stage vs. Serbia, Team USA head coach Steve Kerr didn’t play Tatum once during the game. This came just over three weeks after Tatum became the highest-paid player in NBA history on top of winning his first NBA title in June.
Tatum and the Celtics closed in on a five-year, $314 million super-max extension after the championship win. During his championship season, Tatum put up 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and a steal. Those statistics were then 25.3 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 6.3 assists over a 16-3 run during the 2024 NBA Playoffs, including their 4-1 series win in the finals over the Dallas Mavericks.
He had since cracked the rotation for Team USA, however — but didn’t play a single minute against Serbia in the semifinals. Team USA defeated the Serbian national team in comeback fashion with the outcome not becoming obvious until the final buzzer. In their first matchup, Team USA won by 26 points.
Tatum went on to play 17 minutes for Team USA in their second game against South Sudan. He scored four points and grabbed five rebounds during the outing. Heading into the semifinals, Tatum has averaged 19.9 minutes per game (that he’s entered), while scoring 6.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.0 steals.
In the 2020 Olympics that happened a year later due to the pandemic, he was the second-leading scorer behind Durant after averaging 15.2 points on 49.3% shooting overall and 44.7% from three in his six games off the bench.
The opening tip between the United States and France is set for 3:30 p.m. ET as Team USA seeks its fifth consecutive gold medal at the Olympics.
Tatum's Dad Provides Motivation
Tatum's Impact on Team USA
While Tatum's limited minutes have been a topic of discussion, his presence on the team is undeniably valuable. His ability to score, rebound, and play defense makes him a valuable asset to any team, and his experience playing against the best players in the world is invaluable. With the gold medal game on the line, it's possible that Kerr might give Tatum more playing time, especially considering the challenge posed by Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert.
Team USA's Path to the Gold Medal
Team USA has shown resilience and determination throughout the tournament, overcoming challenges and demonstrating their dominance on the court. The team's depth and experience have been key factors in their success, and their chemistry has been evident in their performances. The gold medal game against France will be a tough battle, but with the talent and skill on the roster, Team USA will be looking to secure their fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal.
