Former Celtics star Paul Pierce expressed his discontent over Jayson Tatum’s benching in Team USA’s Olympics opener against Serbia last week. Pierce, along with other NBA players, criticized Team USA coach Steve Kerr’s decision to sit Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton for the entire game. Despite Kerr’s explanation of the decision revolving around matchups and minutes for Kevin Durant, Pierce believed it was a deliberate move to target the Celtics.
Pierce labeled the benching as a “slap in the face” and suggested it was a result of “Celtic hate.” Kendrick Perkins and Draymond Green also voiced their disapproval of Tatum’s benching, with Green calling it a “disrespect” to a player of Tatum’s caliber.
Since the initial benching, Kerr has started Tatum in subsequent games, where he has performed well, including a double-double against Puerto Rico. Despite the positive response, Pierce emphasized that the optics of Kerr’s decision were still disrespectful to Tatum, a player who has been consistently recognized as one of the best in the league.
Overall, the controversy surrounding Tatum’s benching has shed light on the tensions between NBA players and Team USA coaches. While Tatum has bounced back from the initial setback, the criticism from Pierce and others highlights the impact such decisions can have on players’ reputations in the competitive landscape of professional basketball.
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