There is a problem in Paris for Jayson Tatum and it’s showing on his face.
The three-time All-NBA first-team player, Celtics cornerstone, and NBA champion has been benched for two Team USA games by coach Steve Kerr, getting no minutes in both games against Serbia, including the thrilling semifinal Thursday.
While the Americans were falling behind and Kerr was seeking answers to contain Serbia’s hot shooting, Tatum sat and didn’t even appear to be an option. What’s also apparent is that Kerr does not consider Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton worth playing meaningful minutes.
The basketball world had no idea Tatum would soon be joining that list when Team USA reached Paris after a five-game exhibition schedule. Tatum has not shot the ball well in Olympic competition — 7 for 18 overall and 0 for 3 from the 3-point line — with six rebounds and one steal.
Tatum's Frustration and the Numbers Game
Tatum has been pressing, sometimes trying too hard to get to the basket or thinking before his moves instead of going on instinct. It’s understandable. There are so many stars on Team USA, so much talent, that Tatum desperately wants to prove he belongs, even though he thought he already did.
But there are some factors that are leading to Tatum’s regrettable Team USA experience. First, the inclusion of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid basically pushed Tatum to the bench, especially since Kerr wants a staunch defender in the lineup — Jrue Holiday — and Kerr has a preference for Devin Booker as the shooting guard.
When Kevin Durant returned from a calf injury to play in the opener against Serbia, Tatum was pushed to the end of the bench. Kerr could have sliced Anthony Edwards’s minutes but he didn’t, which is interesting.
While Edwards is not the best passer or defender, he has been sparkling from the field (26 for 43, 60.5 percent) and from the 3-point line (10 for 22, 45 percent). Tatum hasn’t come close to those numbers, but he’s also deferred to Edwards and others while he’s on the floor. Edwards has made sure he gets his shots up during whatever minutes he receives; Tatum has decided to play more in the flow of the game.
A Question of Fairness and Opportunity
The Team USA experience was supposed to cap a magnificent summer for Tatum, who just helped the Celtics to their 18th championship, is on the cover of NBA 2K25, and has a children’s book release in a few weeks. Instead, he is frustrated and upset, according to those close to him, mystified why he’s not getting a fair opportunity to play, especially in games such as the semifinal with Serbia when USA looked apathetic and erratic for the first three quarters.
Kerr's Controversial Decision
Tatum isn’t even an option? A consideration? When asked by the Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, Kerr said it’s simply a numbers game. He can’t carve out the time for 12 players in a 40-minute game. Somehow, however, Team USA women’s coach Cheryl Reeve manages to play all 12 of her players in a roster that’s just as talented as the men’s.
But should Tatum go public with his frustration? Is he too nice of a guy here? It’s probably best for Tatum to remain a team player until the Olympics are over, he returns to the United States, and perhaps he can privately express his issues with Team USA director Grant Hill, who recruited Tatum for this team.
At this point, Tatum has to be embarrassed. His résumé shows he deserves more of an opportunity and there are players on the roster, such as Curry, who struggled but received enough grace and opportunity to have a breakout game. Curry saved Team USA against Serbia because there was never a possibility he would lose minutes with his Golden State coach.
A Question of Bias
Kerr’s issues with Tatum are curious at best, and unfair and demoralizing at worst. And this experience is something that Tatum will have to reflect on and determine whether he has a long-term future with USA Basketball.
South Sudan's Complaint of Bias
It’s not a FIBA tournament without complaints about officiating. For example, Serbia guard Bogdan Bogdanović, a standout with the Hawks, took issues with the calls in a close loss to Team USA in the semifinals.
“We tried to talk to [officials] and they did not try to talk to us,” he said. “[Team USA] did not need that type of help against us. We did not have that type of help when they were grabbing us with two hands.”
South Sudan coach Royal Ivey and team president Luol Deng had more concerning allegations after their 96-85 loss to Serbia in pool play. A victory would have advanced the 13-year-old country into the quarterfinals for the first time. Instead, South Sudan was eliminated after Serbia attempted 31 free throws to six for Ivey’s team.
Ivey not only accused officials of blatantly making calls in favor of Serbia, but also discriminating against South Sudan because its a FIBA neophyte and an African country.
“My guys were out there blood, sweat, and tears, giving it their all, and you’re telling me how we shoot six free throws,” he said. “We shot one free throw in the second half. They were worried about my bench standing up. They were worried about me crossing the line instead reffing the game. What does me crossing the [coach’s] line have anything to do with me reffing the game?
“What does my bench standing up have anything to do with the game? I need an answer to explain it to me. I’m baffled. Bogdanović had 30 [points] and [Nikola Jokić] had 22. He shot 12 free throws. You tell me. I’m talking about what I see with my eyes. I’m going to need to send the clips to FIBA, to the Olympic Committee, whoever.”
Deng's Plea for Respect for African Basketball
The NBA has invested greatly in Africa and former players such as Ivey, current Kings coach Mike Brown with Nigeria, and Sudanese native Deng are helping cultivate the continent’s rich basketball resources that have been untapped for decades.
Ivey is trying to fight for more respect for African basketball internationally. Never has there been a legitimate African basketball power with the ability to compete for gold medals. Ivey wants to change that reputation, but he needs help from FIBA.
“I’m not one to complain, bicker about calls,” he said. “It was very blatant and I had to keep my cool because he threatened to throw me out of the game. My guys are in there in tears because they gave it their all. I’d rather lose by 30 than have this happen to us. I have no answers. I don’t.
“It stings. It hurts. Those guys are in there hurting. I’m still in thought with what happened. Those guys deserve better. We came here to compete and we did it. We did everything that we were supposed to do. They played through adversity through the whole tournament. I’m very disappointed.”
Deng played in 15 NBA seasons before retiring in 2019. He has since spearheaded the effort to bring South Sudan into the international basketball landscape. The ascension has been stunning, going from their first FIBA tournament three years ago to the Olympics in Paris.
He is clamoring for respect not only for his nation but for a continent that could accelerate its production of NBA prospects.
“I thought Royal said a lot that I agree with,” he said. “I’ve been part of a lot of games my whole career, coaching for the last 3½ years. I thought it was deliberate blatantly. We couldn’t be as aggressive as they are. I know that Serbia is known for basketball. They’ve been great for many years. It’s almost like the ref knows them, so it’s OK for the refs, if they know certain players, to let them play their style.
“As soon as our guys play their style, we’re getting fouled every time. It’s almost like a narrative and stigma that’s out there that African players are aggressive, so as soon as we’re just as aggressive, it’s not that. And I don’t know why there’s no African referees in the Olympics. It’s 2024. I don’t know what’s the reason for that. You can say whatever you want to say. If we’re representing the continent, we’ve got to be represented fully.”
There were no officials from Africa in the Olympic men’s tournament. Deng is challenging FIBA to make changes to its system to accommodate all contenders, even those from underrepresented regions.
“That’s something we’ve got to keep on working on, but if these referees are not familiar with our game or our style, then I don’t know what the world championship or the Olympics is,” he said. “Is it just the European basketball style? We’re not allowed to be aggressive?
“You could say that we are aggressive, but they’re aggressive, too. They can’t be pressuring in the backcourt, pushing our guys. That happened the whole game. That’s what Serbia does and they get away from it because they’re known for it. Just say, ‘OK, we don’t know South Sudanese basketball.’ If that’s the case, then OK. I challenge anyone here to run the tape back and sit down and count every foul. It’s not the same aggressiveness.”
In as much as the issues of South Sudan were about Serbia, it was more indicative of the overall lack of respect and regard it feels from FIBA and the international basketball community. It wonders if FIBA really wants a basketball power from Africa.
“You can say Serbia is a better team than us,” Deng said. “They are ranked higher than us. I give them all the respect, but if that game is fair right there, we have a better chance. I’m not going to hold back because I’m not happy with it.
“We’re not here just to be a showcase. We deserve to be here. We’re a good team and I don’t think it was fair. I didn’t say racial. I’m just representing the continent. There’s all races in our continent. I’m not here to be any racial anything.”
Deng was asked directly whether FIBA has an overall disrespect for African basketball.
“This is not something that I’m just making up,” he said. “Everybody knows there’s a huge disrespect to African basketball. But at the same time, we’ve got to develop basketball on the continent. We’ve got to bring facilities and develop our refs and develop our coaches. As Africans, we’ve got to do better in developing our game and giving the platform for our players to keep excelling. That’s what we’re trying to do.
“I proud of the federation. I’m proud of South Sudan. I’m proud of our fans. I’m proud of the continent. This took a whole effort. For a long time FIBA just looked at that African slot as just to appease everybody. That’s not why we’re here. We’re here to compete fairly and to be able to go forward.”
The Best Players Not in the NBA
The best basketball being played in the world this summer is in Paris, and not all the best players in the Olympic tournament are in the NBA.
Here’s the five top non-NBA players in the Olympics and their stories:
▪ Guerschon Yabusele, France: Yabusele, a Celtics first-round pick in 2016, finished with a team-high 22 points along with five rebounds and a pair of 3-pointers in the 82-73 quarterfinal win over Canada. Yabusele, taken 13 picks after Jaylen Brown, played parts of two seasons with Boston before being waived after the 2018-19 season. Yabusele was an undersized power forward and had not yet developed the ability to shoot. He was too small to play center and too slow to play small forward. He has found a home over the past three seasons with Real Madrid and has polished his game and gotten into premium shape. He bullied the Canadian players with his size and has developed a nice touch around the basket, while also improving his 3-point shot. Yabusele appears content with the EuroLeague and is committed to Real Madrid through the 2024-25 season.
▪ Isaïa Cordinier, France: Cordinier, a second-round pick by the Hawks in 2016, was one of the primary reasons France advanced to the gold medal game. He’s a smooth shooting guard with athleticism. Cordinier’s rights were traded to the Nets in 2018, but he has yet to appear in the NBA. He has played the last three seasons with Virtus Bologna in Italy and his contract is through 2024-25.
▪ Bruno Caboclo, Brazil: If you think you’re heard this name before, it’s because you have. The 28-year-old was barely out of high school when he was drafted in the first round at No. 20 by the Raptors in 2014. He was years from being ready or “two years away from being two years away,” according to ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla. Caboclo played parts of seven NBA seasons with four teams, then has bounced around the world, including France, Germany, Mexico, Brazil, and Serbia. He scored 30 points the loss to Team USA and could be a third big man on an NBA roster. He wants another NBA chance, but his best shot may be a camp invite.
▪ Mathias Lessort, France: The hard-working, undersized big man did major damage to Canada and Germany and supplanted Rudy Gobert as France’s most reliable post presence. The 6-foot-9-inch, 260-pounder was a second-round pick of the 76ers in 2017, but his rights have been traded three times and are now owned by the Knicks. He is signed with Panathinaikos in Greece through the 2024-25 season.
▪ Isaac Bonga, Germany: Another one who entered the draft prematurely, Bonga was 18 when drafted by the 76ers and traded to the Lakers. He played in 143 NBA games with the Lakers, Wizards, and Raptors before heading back to Germany to sign with Bayern Munich. Bonga is 24 now and played an impactful 3-and-D role for Germany during its run to the bronze medal game.
NBA News Notes
Now that Turner Sports has filed a lawsuit against the NBA to retain its basketball rights, there is a belief the NBA could negotiate to offer both TNT and Amazon packages in the future that would appease the sides. TNT believes the NBA did not negotiate a new deal with good faith and filed the suit after the league decided to choose Amazon as its third television partner for the next 11 years. TNT, of course, has the wildly popular “Inside the NBA” pre- and postgame program, which has been a staple for nearly three decades. Charles Barkley, who said he would retire if TNT lost NBA rights, now has signed an extension, perhaps strengthening the network’s case. And turning down TNT’s offer to maintain its three-decade association with the league appears like a selfish, money-hungry move since the network’s coverage of the NBA is considered the best of any professional sport. Networks have searched for years for that “Inside the NBA” chemistry and have fallen short . . . It was a difficult Olympic experience for Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who looked a step slow and unengaged for Team Canada. Murray, expected to be a pivotal factor in Canada’s quest to medal, missed 22 of his 31 shots, and 12 of his 14 3-pointers. Team Canada loaded its roster with 10 NBA players and another (Khem Birch) who had NBA experience, and was dealt a disappointing quarterfinal loss to France . . . The Jazz signed coveted power forward Lauri Markkanen to a five-year extension, essentially ensuring he won’t be traded. The Warriors had been interested in Markkanen for months, but Utah executive Danny Ainge (remember him?) had been seeking player and draft pick compensation from the Warriors, who were not willing to include promising guard Brandin Podziemski. The Jazz have been building a roster through the draft and trades for the past few years, but the question is when they plan on actually contending. Signing Markkanen is an indication Utah wants to start being a factor after undergoing a rebuild following the trade of Rudy Gobert to the Timberwolves and Donovan Mitchell to the Cavaliers . . . The Celtics are expected to bring in former two-way contract swingman Jay Scrubb for a training camp contract. Scrubb was headed for G League Maine for seasoning prior to last season before tearing his ACL before camp ended.
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.
