Steve Kerr Doesn’t Regret Benching Jayson Tatum At The 2024 Olympics

Steve Kerr faced scrutiny for his decision to limit Jayson Tatum’s minutes during the 2024 Olympics, yet the Golden State Warriors head coach has made it clear he stands by his choice. Leading Team USA to a gold medal in Paris, Kerr balanced a roster filled with NBA superstars. With so many talented players competing for limited game time, Steve Kerr leaned on experienced veterans during high-stakes moments, leaving Tatum on the bench for pivotal games, including both group and semi-final matches against Serbia.

"Do I have any regrets? We can't control the story. That's this job. From the beginning in Vegas, the whole thing was, 'Hey, we're in this together. We've got 12 Hall of Famers and we're just committed to winning." 

"We won the gold medal. I don't give it a ton of thought other than I didn't enjoy not playing Jayson against Serbia, not playing Joel against South Sudan. Those are not fun decisions, but our guys were all amazing. They committed to each other, they committed to winning the gold medal."

"They all held themselves with dignity and class. That's the real story. But we live in a time where we have to talk about stuff that actually doesn't really matter."

Speaking to reporters before the Celtics-Warriors game, Kerr explained that while the decision wasn’t easy, it was necessary for the team's success. For Kerr, the goal was simple: prioritize team success and secure the gold for the United States, which they accomplished.

In his limited Olympic appearances, Tatum struggled to make an impact, averaging just 5.3 points on 38.1% shooting from the field in just 17.7 minutes over his four Olympic appearances. While he was effective in spurts, his performances were overshadowed by the team's veteran leaders. Kerr emphasized that Tatum’s benching was not a reflection of his abilities but rather a “math problem” due to Team USA’s star-studded roster.

The Celtics star’s lack of minutes, however, has not been without consequences. Tatum has since expressed disappointment with his limited role, hinting that he felt capable of contributing more on the international stage. 

Nonetheless, he’s taken that frustration and used it as fuel for his NBA season, where he’s off to a blazing start, averaging 30 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. Tatum’s early success with the Celtics has prompted some Boston fans to question Kerr’s choices even further, leading to mixed reactions from the TD Garden crowd when Kerr arrived for Wednesday's game.

Despite facing criticism, Kerr showed no signs of regret. In a candid response to the media, he acknowledged that tough decisions are part of his job as a coach, especially when dealing with a high-profile roster. 

Kerr’s comments reflect his experience managing top talent, something he’s familiar with from his years coaching the Warriors. For Kerr, winning takes precedence over individual accolades, even if that means leaving some stars on the sidelines. 

While Kerr might face jeers from Boston fans, his commitment to the team’s success remains his primary focus. Tatum’s strong start to the NBA season and his motivation to prove himself may indeed stem from this Olympic experience. Ultimately, Kerr’s decision, while controversial, underscores the challenges of balancing talent and team dynamics in pursuit of victory—a decision that, in his eyes, has paid off with gold.