Kerr: Tatum’s Paris Olympic Playtime Hinges on Math Logjam

Tatum is a star, without question. So it’s been puzzling fans why he’s had such little playing time as the team has advanced to the finals.

PARIS, France — Jayson Tatum has not played in two of the five U.S. games at the Paris Olympics, held out of both matchups against Serbia.

U.S. coach Steve Kerr emphasized Friday that Tatum’s limited playtime is not a critique of his abilities.

“It’s not what I’m not seeing from Jayson. It’s what I’ve seen from the other guys,” Kerr stated. “Like I’ve said many times during this tournament and over the last six weeks, it’s just hard to play 11 people, even in an NBA game.”

The U.S. team trailed by 17 points in the first half and by 15 late in the third quarter during the semifinal victory over Serbia. This led Kerr to shorten his rotation, with Stephen Curry and LeBron James each logging over 30 minutes for the first time in the tournament.

The second unit, usually a strong point for the Americans, struggled Thursday night. Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, Derrick White, Bam Adebayo, and Anthony Edwards played just four minutes together, getting outscored 17-4 as Serbia made all five of its field goals.

Tatum secured an NBA-record $315 million contract this summer and is a perennial All-NBA pick and champion. He logged 23 minutes in the group stage finale against Puerto Rico but is yet to make a 3-pointer in these Olympics.

“It’s not about anything Jayson is doing or not doing,” Kerr reiterated. “It’s just about combinations and the way that group has played together, the way Kevin has filled in since his injury. It’s just a math problem more than anything.”

5 games, 5 leaders

Through five games, the U.S. has seen five different top scorers. This variability makes it hard to predict who will lead in the gold-medal game against France on Saturday night.

Kevin Durant scored 23 points in the opener against Serbia. Bam Adebayo had 18 against South Sudan, Anthony Edwards recorded 26 against Puerto Rico, Devin Booker added 18 against Brazil, and Stephen Curry scored 36 in the semifinal comeback over Serbia.

Curry only attempted three shots against Brazil in the quarterfinals.

“It’s whatever the game calls for. I shot three times last game and wasn’t looking to force it because that’s not what the game called for,” Curry explained. “That’s the beauty of Team USA and FIBA—every game, it’s been somebody different. Hopefully, everyone will contribute on Saturday.”

Durant has chance at 4-timers club

Kevin Durant is one win away from becoming the first men’s player to win four Olympic gold medals in basketball. The list of Americans with four golds in a single event is a prestigious one.

In women’s basketball, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi each have five gold medals. Teresa Edwards, Lisa Leslie, Sylvia Fowles, and Tamika Catchings have four each.

Other notable four-time, one-event, gold-medal winners in U.S. Olympic history include swimmers Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and Ryan Lochte, sprinter Allyson Felix, discus thrower Al Oerter, long jumper Carl Lewis, and shooter Vincent Hancock in skeet.

Celtics can make history

Boston Celtics players Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White have a chance to join a rare club if the U.S. beats France for gold on Saturday.

Only 12 players have won an NBA or WNBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.

Holiday achieved this once before, winning the NBA title with Milwaukee in 2021 and then an Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games.

Other dual-title holders include Stefanie Dolson (3×3 winner) in 2021, Khris Middleton in 2021, Kyrie Irving in 2016, LeBron James and Tamika Catchings in 2012, Katie Smith in 2008, Sue Bird in 2004, Sheryl Swoopes in 2000, Scottie Pippen in 1992 and 1996, and Michael Jordan in 1992.