The Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics played their first game of the regular season on Wednesday evening. This was a highly anticipated match for many reasons. One reason in particular was the fact that Jayson Tatum was benched by Warriors head coach Steve Kerr at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this summer.
Despite being a regular All-NBA first-team forward, Tatum played only fewer minutes than Tyrese Haliburton for Team USA in Paris. Loyal to their superstar and 2024 NBA champion, Celtics fans were quick to voice their opinions on Kerr, with boos emanating from the moment he was introduced.
Via @barstoolsports: “Celtics Fans Didn’t Hold Back Steve Kerr’s BOOs During Intros Tonight”
Celtics fans didn’t hold back the BOOs on Steve Kerr during the intros tonight
pic.twitter.com/Qlrkiixmin— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) November 7, 2024
While this has been a hot topic in the media and among fans, Tatum is the only person not interested in the storyline. After Wednesday night’s Warriors-Celtics game, Tatum was asked about his Olympic benching and responded with this candid answer.
“It’s part of this job that I’ve had to deal with my entire career,” Tatum said. “People want me to be louder, people want me to be meaner, whatever. One thing about Jayson is, I’m always going to do whatever the fuck I want to do. [I’ll] approaching things the way I want to approach them, in what I believe is true to who I am as a person.”
Jayson Tatum was asked how people wanted him to react to the Olympics:
“People want me to be louder, people want me to be meaner, whatever. One thing about Jayson is, I’m always going to do whatever the fuck I want to do. pic.twitter.com/AWc8mLVsMq
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) November 7, 2024
Regardless of how anyone might want him to react to the bench, Tatum wanted to make it clear how he really felt about it.
“We react differently. It’s easy to say what they would do if they were in my shoes. I appreciate it when it comes from a good place, but like I said, I’m always going to respond, react and approach things the way I want to,” Tatum said.
The Warriors and Celtics are two teams currently primed to make some noise for the remainder of the season, and if current trends continue, they could see each other again in June.
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