"Another championship on the way": Jeff Teague on why Jayson Tatum's DNP on Team USA is good for Celtics

Jayson Tatum's lack of playing time in Team USA's gold medal quest has its silver lining according to former NBA star, Jeff Teague. This comes as a stark change from the flak Steve Kerr has been receiving for benching the Boston Celtics star. From Tatum's mother to Celtics legend Bob Cousy, there's been quite the outrage against Kerr for not playing the forward in the semifinal vs Serbia.

Speaking on the Club 520 podcast, Teague believed the DNP would mean good news for Boston.

"If you're a Boston Celtics fan, you should be thanking USA Basketball. Because now y'all got another championship on the way. "Tatum probably is like 'I'm First Team All-NBA, bro, and I'm sitting the bench. I just won a chip, First Team All-NBA, I'm having the best year of my life. Then I go to the Olympics, bro, and y'all telling me I'm the weakest one on the team, He's gonna be on a mission, bro. Y'all know I got the inside scoop, he gonna be on a mission."

Tatum was benched in the pool stage as well in their campaign opener against Serbia. He played the remaining games but saw scanty minutes. He averages 6.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.0 steals in the five games so far. While Kerr has been public in his support of the recently minted NBA champion, there has been clamor about his lack of minutes.

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"Just a math problem more than anything": Steve Kerr explains Jayson Tatum's DNP decision

Speaking to the media in the aftermath of the close 95-91 win in the semifinal vs Serbia, head coach Steve Kerr opined the decision not to play Jayson Tatum was more of a math problem.

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

The previous game saw the likes of LeBron James and Steve Kerr log more minutes. The bench comprised Kevin Durant, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, Derrick White, and Anthony Davis saw four minutes together and was outplayed 17-4 as Serbia carved out a lead.

It will be interesting to see how Kerr figures out to fit Jayson Tatum in the lineup in the gold medal game vs France on Saturday at the Accor Arena. Only time will tell if the Celtics mainstay sees substantial game time in the marquee showdown.