In a surprising move, Jayson Tatum, the standout player for the reigning NBA champions, was benched by coach Steve Kerr during Team USA's Olympic campaign. Fans expressed a range of emotions, from surprise to outrage, as Tatum's absence from the court garnered attention and criticism.

Kerr defended his decision, stating that it was not a reflection of Tatum's skills or performance, but rather a strategic choice based on team dynamics and matchups. With an abundance of talent on the roster, Kerr faced the challenging task of managing playing time for the 12 stars representing Team USA.

The decision to sit Tatum against Serbia, in particular, drew the ire of critics. However, Kerr emphasized that it was a matter of optimizing combinations and considering the strengths of the roster as a whole. Tatum's versatile wing play might not have been as critical in a game heavily focused on guards and bigs, and his inconsistent shooting could have posed challenges in a close match.

The controversy surrounding Tatum's benching has intensified, with Celtics legend Bob Cousy speaking out against the decision. Cousy, a Hall of Famer who won six NBA titles with the Celtics, described Tatum's absence as an "embarrassment" and expressed concern about the impact on the young player.

Cousy suggested that someone from Boston should advocate for Tatum and questioned whether there might be bias against the Celtics in Kerr's decision-making. However, it is worth noting that Kerr did give playing time to other Celtics players, Jrue Holiday and Derrick White, during the game against Serbia.

Kerr's ultimate goal is to secure a gold medal for Team USA, a team heavily favored to win. Despite the closer-than-expected semifinal against Serbia, it is uncertain whether Tatum's presence on the court would have altered the outcome. Serbia's success was largely attributed to the open shots created by Nikola Jokic and their accurate three-point shooting early in the game.

Looking ahead, there is a good chance that Tatum will play a significant role in Team USA's upcoming matchup against France. However, as Kerr continues to make strategic decisions about the playing rotation, controversy is expected regardless of who sits out. This is the nature of managing a star-studded roster where 12 players vie for 10 spots.

As the Olympic campaign unfolds, the tale of Tatum's benching will continue to captivate fans and spark debates. The factors behind Kerr's decision may be complex, but the focus now shifts to Team USA's pursuit of gold and Tatum's potential contributions in the remaining games of the competition.