Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum recently shared his thoughts on his limited playing time during the U.S. men’s basketball team’s 2024 Paris Olympics run. While the journey ended in a Gold medal, it was a different experience for a superstar coming off an NBA championship.
Despite not seeing as much action on the court as he would have liked, Tatum stressed the importance of adapting to whatever circumstances arose with a focus placed on winning above all else.
“It was a lot. In the age of social media, you see everything,” Tatum said, according to Jared Weiss of The Athletic. “You see all the tweets and the people on the podcasts and people on TV giving their opinion on whether they thought it was a good decision or it was an outrageous decision or whatever. Obviously, I wanted to contribute more, and I’ve never been in [this] situation.”
Tatum found himself in an unfamiliar position on the bench during the Olympics. He didn’t play in two of Team USA’s six games and logged just 11 minutes during the gold medal game, a 98-87 win over France.
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Tatum’s inconsistent minutes hampered his ability to find a shooting rhythm, leading to an average of 5.3 points in 17.7 minutes per game while shooting 38.1 percent from the field and missing all four of his three-point attempts.
Adjusting to a New Role Next to Superstars
The decision to limit Tatum’s playing time came as LeBron James and Kevin Durant led Team USA with standout performances. Head coach Steve Kerr acknowledged the challenge of balancing the rotation, admitting that he “felt like an idiot not playing him” during a 110-84 victory over Serbia in the group stage.
This reduced role was a stark contrast for Tatum, who has been a go-to player throughout his career, from his days at Duke to his immediate impact as a rookie starter with the Celtics.
Despite the limited opportunities, Tatum remained positive about his experience. “I wasn’t moping around. I didn’t have an attitude. I wasn’t angry at the world,” he said. “I stayed ready and did what was asked of me, and I won a gold medal, right?”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics, USA Basketball Updates
While the situation in Paris was unexpected, Tatum views it as a potential learning experience that could serve him well in the future. “I’m always a glass-half-full type of guy,” he said. “I always believe everything happens for a reason and whatever that is, I don’t know yet. But I’m certain I’ll find out.”
Will Jayson Tatum Play in 2028 LA Olympics?
As for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Tatum hasn’t yet decided if he will return to Team USA, though he clarified that his playing time in Paris won’t affect his choice.
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Reflecting on his career achievements and recent challenges, Tatum is focused on preparing for another season with the Celtics. “I have two [gold medals] now, I have a championship, and everything doesn’t necessarily go the way you expect it to go, right?” Tatum said. “I’ve learned to be like, ‘OK, that’s a part of it.’ You move on, and I’m getting ready to enjoy the last little weeks I have before the season starts and get ready for another season.”
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