The Olympics may be over, but Steve Kerr’s decision to sideline Jayson Tatum continues to make waves. Stephen A. Smith and other critics haven’t let Kerr off the hook for his rotation choices, especially when it came to giving Tatum minimal game time in Team USA’s gold-medal run. Despite being a key 2024 NBA champion, Tatum’s minutes were paltry compared to veterans like LeBron James and Stephen Curry, who played nearly double the minutes Kerr allowed Tatum. Now, just ahead of the first Celtics-Warriors showdown this season, Kerr’s comments have taken on a new, slightly sarcastic tone, igniting the debate once again.
Kerr, speaking on KNBR radio, was asked about the reception he anticipates from Celtics fans at TD Garden. His response was laced with sarcasm, sparking mixed reactions. “I’m excited. I think the fans are really going to cheer for me,” Kerr quipped. “Because, you know, I played Jrue Holiday and Derrick White a ton… all three guys [Holiday, White, and Tatum] played huge roles, and we won the gold medal. This is America. It’s the day after Election Day. I think Celtics fans are going to welcome me with open arms and maybe even bouquets of roses.” The co-host’s chuckle underscored the mock seriousness, but NBC Sports and others were quick to label Kerr’s remarks as a bit cheeky.
In reality, while Holiday and White did log minutes, they didn’t play a “ton” compared to Kerr’s sarcastic acknowledgment. Jayson Tatum’s minutes were also considerably lower, with just 71 minutes across six games, compared to Holiday’s 91. Tatum was even benched for two crucial games, including a pivotal face-off with Serbia. Kerr’s rotation strategy emphasized veteran stability, with Curry and LeBron stepping up to secure key wins in a strategy that ultimately led Team USA to victory. But Kerr’s downplay of Tatum’s role hasn’t sat well with Celtics fans or even the broader NBA community, who see Tatum as an up-and-coming American icon.
For his part, Kerr has defended his choices, clarifying that it wasn’t a lack of confidence in Tatum but rather what he saw in other players that influenced his rotation. He recently said, “It’s not what I’m not seeing from Jayson. It’s what I’ve seen from the other guys.” And while this may be a logical explanation given the short Olympic tournament, the optics remain challenging for Boston fans who wanted to see more of their star representing the USA.
So, as the Warriors prepare to take on the Celtics, it’s clear that Kerr’s optimistic—or sarcastic—outlook on receiving a warm welcome may be misplaced. Celtics fans have long memories, and in TD Garden, they’re unlikely to let the controversy fade without making their voices heard. For Kerr, taking a lighthearted approach to the matter might seem like a way to handle the ongoing tension, but he might be better served bracing for a reception that could be more heated than he expects.
