US Olympic Star Jayson Tatum arrived in Paris as an NBA champion and one of the world’s best basketball players, yet the focus wasn’t on his play; it was on him not playing. With the Olympics behind him, Tatum discusses his feelings and reactions to being benched but maintains that winning a gold medal was the ultimate goal and satisfaction.
Jayson Tatum Reflects on Media Attention and Olympic Benching
Jayson Tatum Experiences A Different Side as an Olympic Star
While Team USA was on its way to securing a fifth Olympic gold medal, benched Celtics forward and Olympic star Jayson Tatum was experiencing a whole other reality. The Americans opened pool play against Serbia, Tatum’s first missed game. When the US met Serbia again in the semi-finals, Tatum again found himself sitting. Tatum didn’t play a single minute in either game.
Unfortunately, Tatum’s benching received more noise than what the team was accomplishing along the way. This conversation will go back and forth for years to come. There were questions surrounding the validity of USA head coach Steve Kerr‘s decision-making and whether benching Tatum resulted from Devin Booker playing excellently, for example. Or, Tatum’s less-than-impressive play in the games where he saw the floor, matchups, and, well—math.
Meanwhile, fellow Celtics players Derrick White and Jrue Holiday enjoyed consistent playing time with their NBA teammate and leader sidelined.
Tatum Clears the Air
The summer games are in the rear-view mirror, and the 2024-25 NBA season is ahead. The Olympic star is focused on a new season. But that didn’t stop him from speaking about his experience in Paris, the benching, and the attention it received with The Athletic’s Jared Weiss.
“It’s one of those things where there’s been so much talk and debate…There was a period of, ‘Is he a superstar or not?’ Then it was a big debate like, ‘Is he championship ready now?’ Then it’s like, ‘How could he not get in the Olympics?’ I’m like, I just won a championship, it’s the summertime, it might be nice to have a little break where you don’t turn on ESPN and they’re talking about you. But I guess this is part of it, and that may be the level I’ve reached now in my career.”
Media & Player Relations Can Be Strenuous
Media attention and the scrutiny or praise that parasitically latches itself along the way is just the reality of being a superstar in the NBA. This is especially true if you’re a player boasting Tatum’s caliber and status. In his case, it was sympathy for him and judgment for Steve Kerr. Kerr coached in the way he best felt would lead to wins. Of course, that wasn’t good enough for those who don’t play professional basketball. Nevertheless, Tatum handled the benching with class and professionalism despite the overabundance of chitter-chatter from onlookers.
“It was a lot,” Tatum said of the coverage of his benching. “In the age of social media, you see everything. 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 3 at the YMCA, and I’ve never not played, so it was different and it was challenging.”
Suppose Tatum indeed felt miffed and salty beneath the flesh during this series of events. That would only reflect what it is to be human. Being benched can be challenging, no matter where you are on the depth chart. Tatum chose to rise above the feelings and prioritized his brothers in arms in winning an Olympic medal as a team. That is where Jayson Tatum struck gold, real gold. Let the reigning NBA Champion and Olympic star have the last word.
“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?”
