Jayson Tatum: Olympics DNP a ‘Humbling Experience’ After NBA Title, Contract, More

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVAugust 1, 2024

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Jayson Tatum was kept on the bench during Team USA’s opening win against Serbia on Sunday, a decision from head coach Steve Kerr that raised a few eyebrows and perhaps surprised Tatum.

“It’s a unique situation, and it’s not about one individual player, competitor in you wants to play obviously, but I’m not here to make a story about myself,” he told reporters Wednesday after the United States defeated South Sudan, 103-86. “You win a championship, new contract, NBA 2K25 cover, Sports Illustrated… so after all of this, it’s definitely a humbling experience.”

Tatum is not the only star player who has been a DNP during the Olympics.

Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton also didn’t play against Serbia, while Philadelphia 76ers superstar and former MVP Joel Embiid didn’t see the court against South Sudan.

Such is the nature of playing on a Team USA roster absolutely brimming with talent.

“Last game, we had a champion and an all-NBA guy not play any minutes, and tonight we had an MVP not play any minutes,” Kevin Durant told reporters. “They didn’t complain. We had guys who stepped up and filled those roles perfectly.”

Tatum, 26, didn’t make the biggest impact on Wednesday, scoring just four points, though he did add five rebounds, two assists, a block and a highlight dunk in 17 minutes with the starting unit.

NBA @NBAAD STEAL
CURRY OOP.
TATUM SLAM.#USABMNT was rolling in the 3Q 🔒💥

pic.twitter.com/GM0MQoLhwG

Thus far, this iteration of Team USA is a perfect 7-0, with two wins in Paris and five wins in the tune-up games ahead of the Olympics. For all of the hand-wringing thus far about Kerr’s lineups and rotations, the United States continues to win.

And that, more than anything else, is the focus.

“At the end of the day, I just want to win. I’m here to win and win the gold,” LeBron James told reporters after Wednesday’s victory. “We’ve got 12 guys that can go out and get the job done any given night. The second lineup came in and did that tonight for us.”