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Jayson Tatum’s absence from Group USA’s lineup within the Paris Olympics’ opening fixture towards Serbia raised eyebrows throughout the globe. Whereas many followers criticized head coach Steve Kerr for benching the Boston Celtics star, Sue Fowl shared a special perspective. The 43-year-old WNBA star lately referenced this case to level to the fierce competitors degree within the nation’s basketball scene, sparking debates in every single place.
On the 7PM In Brooklyn podcast, she mentioned how even the highest basketball gamers usually fell within the pecking order whereas representing Group USA. Traditionally, they discovered themselves as one in all many choices inside the squad due to the roster depth. JT sadly grew to become the most recent addition to this listing. Nonetheless, Fowl nonetheless identified the perceived injustice against Tatum.
“What I do perceive is you will get caught as like, on the depth chart… You might be high within the NBA, WNBA or no matter it’s, whereas additionally you take a look at the depth chart, you’re fourth in your place in a blink in USA basketball. So that may occur to anyone… However I feel what will probably be exhausting for Jayson [Tatum] goes from being like a significant contributor in Tokyo to then not enjoying within the first recreation”.
Given the present dynamics of the Group USA roster, Fowl’s phrases held weight. In any case, Tatum was competing for a beginning spot towards workforce chief LeBron James, veteran Kevin Durant, and dynamic Anthony Davis. Despite the fact that the worthiness of the latter remained controversial, the identical couldn’t be mentioned about The King and KD.
On the similar time, Kerr’s guard-centric technique made it difficult for Tatum to discover a place within the lineup. As a substitute of a conventional two-guard system, the pinnacle coach opted for a trio of guards towards Serbia, fielding Devin Booker, Stephen Curry, and Jrue Vacation. Their complementary abilities performed a vital function within the workforce’s 110-84 victory, additional diminishing Tatum’s possibilities of breaking into the workforce.
Whereas these elements justified Tatum’s DNP standing within the opening recreation, they nonetheless overshadowed his previous contributions to Group USA. In any case, the 5x All-Star unhesitantly stepped as much as symbolize the nation within the 2020 Summer time Video games when many star gamers opted out. As a starter, he was integral in securing the gold medal, averaging 15.2 factors per recreation and capturing 49.3% from the sphere.
Regardless of this, Kerr sidelined Tatum to learn the workforce’s technique. Nonetheless, the pinnacle coach quickly corrected this within the following recreation towards South Sudan. He handed JT his deserving beginning spot. Additionally, within the subsequent matchup towards Puerto Rico, the 2024 NBA champion got here off the bench to showcase his abilities.
It appears all events have moved previous that second. Nonetheless, the basketball neighborhood would nonetheless be desirous to see extra of Tatum within the lineup, particularly given his standout performances within the latest NBA Finals.
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