Team USA’s Jayson Tatum Recognized Outpour Of Olympic Support

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum logged two DNPs during the 2024 Paris Olympics, which was too much for a handful of outside viewers who couldn’t understand USA Basketball head coach Steve Kerr’s thinking.

Everyone from Celtics legend Bob Cousy to team owner Wyc Grousbeck and even Tatum’s parents, all rallied in support of the five-time All-Star. Whether their feelings were publicized or kept private, Tatum acknowledged the overwhelming support after the United States defeated France, 98-87, in Saturday night’s Olympic finale — a game in which Tatum played just 11 minutes and scored two points on three shot attempts.

“A lot of people text me and reached out and said ‘Make sure this fuels you,’ which I appreciate,” Tatum shared after Team USA’s gold medal win over France, per ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “There’s a lot of people that care about me. I think the tough part is yes, you can use things to fuel you, but I’m still human.”

Tatum’s Olympic controversy came just months after the Celtics made the 26-year-old the highest-paid player in NBA history by locking him to a five-year, $313 million extension. It came after Tatum captured his first title by helping defeat the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals, which evidently, still wasn’t enough for the seven-year veteran to earn enough respect from Kerr to not play benchwarmer — twice.

“It’s hard to not play, and I’m guessing it’s exponentially harder when you’re one of the best players in the world,” Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens told Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “But when we’ve talked, he’s been all about the team. This is such a unique opportunity to win a gold medal in the Olympics. He’s always ready. The championship game (against France) will be a great road environment, and he shines in those situations.”

Although Tatum — and Celtics teammates Jrue Holiday and Derrick White — will leave Paris with gold medals around their necks, Boston’s franchise star can keep his stellar performances locked away for the team’s run at a repeat in 2024-25.