Steve Kerr doesn’t seem to like the Celtics and people are cottoning on
Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy has voiced concerns that Team USA head coach Steve Kerr may harbor a bias against the Celtics, which could be influencing his coaching decisions.
Cousy’s suspicions were heightened during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where Kerr made the controversial decision to bench Celtics star Jayson Tatum during two crucial matches against Serbia on Team USA’s path to securing the gold medal.
This move has sparked debate, with some questioning whether Kerr’s personal feelings might be affecting his professional responsibilities.
Bob Cousy, the iconic Boston Celtics figure, was among the many who were deeply displeased with Steve Kerr’s decision to bench Jayson Tatum during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Cousy went so far as to accuse Kerr of harboring a strong dislike for the Celtics and their players, which he believes influenced the coach’s choice.
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“When Kerr benched Tatum last week, there was no real risk of losing the game, but this time, they were down by 17 points, and he still didn’t put Tatum in,” Cousy shared with the Boston Globe. “To me, that suggests there’s some sort of bias Kerr has against the Celtics.”
Tatum left in the cold
Jayson Tatum was undoubtedly the standout player for the Celtics last season, leading what was widely regarded as the best team in the NBA. Given his stellar performance, one would expect him to be an automatic choice for Team USA’s lineup. However, Steve Kerr, the team’s head coach, saw things differently in Paris, believing that Tatum wasn’t the best tactical fit for the matches at hand.
The decision nearly backfired when Team USA narrowly avoided elimination against Serbia, prompting criticism from various quarters, including from Tatum’s NBA teammate, Draymond Green.
“Not playing [Jayson Tatum] was wrong,” Green expressed on his Draymond Green Show. “We all know it was wrong. He should’ve played. He didn’t… From the outside looking in, [Kerr’s response] comes off as, ‘We made a mistake as a coaching staff.’”
