3x NBA champion endorses Steve Kerr’s handling of Jayson Tatum’s Olympic role - "Steve’s all about winning"

Jayson Tatum's lack of playing time was one of the biggest media talking points during Team USA's 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal run. However, according to Golden State Warriors center Kevon Looney, U.S. coach Steve Kerr made the correct choice by limiting the Boston Celtics superstar's role.

Fresh off his first NBA championship, Tatum was projected to play a key part in Team USA's bid for its fifth consecutive gold medal. Instead, he struggled to get on the floor, getting completely benched in two matchups against Serbia, first in group play and then in the semifinals.

The five-time NBA All-Star ultimately appeared in just four contests, providing minimal production. Tatum averaged 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steals per game, shooting a team-worst 38.1%. Meanwhile, he failed to convert a single 3-pointer despite being known for his outside shooting ability.

Jayson Tatum's struggles and occasional DNPs were well-documented by the media throughout the summer, putting him in unchartered territory. While Kerr attributed his tough rotation decisions to matchups and trying to balance his rotations, some perceived them as disrespectful toward the reigning NBA champion.

However, according to Looney, who has spent his entire nine-year career playing under Kerr on the Warriors, his coach made the right choice. The three-time NBA champion noted that Kerr, who boasts nine championship rings as a player and coach, has earned the benefit of the doubt.

"I know as a player, it sucks," Looney told NBA insider Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson Tuesday. "I know that they went out there to sacrifice and give minutes for our country, and not seeing him get minutes sometimes is always gonna be tough, especially dividing the talent, and then who’s deserving to play. But Steve’s all about winning. He’s going to do all the necessary things to win, and he did win.

"So, when he makes a call like that and it actually works out, you kind of have to take it. He’s a coach who won as a player, a general manager and a head coach. So, you kind of have to respect his basketball knowledge," he added.

As Looney mentioned, Kerr's controversial rotations seemingly paid off, as Team USA went undefeated (6-0) this summer en route to securing the gold.

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Jayson Tatum on controversy surrounding Steve Kerr benching him at Olympics

As for Jayson Tatum's thoughts on his limited Olympic role, he spoke with The Athletic's Jared Weiss late last month about how difficult it was. Tatum highlighted his unfamiliarity with being unable to help his team win.

"It was a lot. In the age of social media, you see everything," Tatum said. "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. I started playing basketball at [age] 3 at the YMCA, and I’ve never not played. So, it was different, and it was challenging."

However, Tatum seemingly doesn't resent Kerr, as he added that he still accomplished his goal of becoming a two-time Olympic gold medalist.

"I wasn’t moping around. I didn’t have an attitude. I wasn’t angry at the world," Tatum said. "I stayed ready and did what was asked of me, and I won a gold medal, right?"

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