Former NBA star Charles Barkley has aimed Team USA head coach Steve Kerr for his handling of Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Barkley expressed his disappointment with the limited playing time for both players, particularly in the early stages of the tournament.
According to a tweet by NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral), Barkley stated,
“There’s no reason for him not to play Jayson Tatum. Tatum would have been the second-best player on Serbia, probably would have been the best player on France. So for him not to get any minutes in two games… Come on man, that wasn’t right, that wasn’t fair.”
Charles Barkley calls out Steve Kerr for not giving more minutes to Jayson Tatum and says Tatum would’ve been the best player on France’s team
“There’s no reason for him not to play Jayson Tatum. Tatum would have been the second-best player on Serbia, probably would have been… pic.twitter.com/7ThaTmS6z9
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) August 15, 2024
Charles Barkley’s Strong Opinions on Jayson Tatum’s Playing Time
Charles Barkley did not hold back in his criticism of Steve Kerr’s coaching decisions. He expressed his disappointment that Jayson Tatum, one of the NBA’s brightest stars, did not receive significant minutes in two crucial games. Charles Barkley stated, “There’s no reason for him not to play Jayson Tatum. Tatum would have been the second-best player on Serbia, probably would have been the best player on France.”
Barkley’s assertion underscores Tatum’s talent and potential impact on the court. By comparing Tatum to top players from other countries, Barkley emphasized that Tatum’s skills were underutilized, which could have been a game-changer for Team USA.
The Importance of Playing Time in the Olympics
Charles Barkley also highlighted the significance of playing time for athletes who dedicate their summers to representing their country. He mentioned that players like Jayson Tatum and Tyrese Haliburton deserved more opportunities to showcase their abilities. “If you’re going to the Olympics you want to play, you want to play,” Barkley said. “So I was disappointed Jayson didn’t get to play, I was disappointed Tyrese Haliburton didn’t get to play, especially early.”
This sentiment resonates with many fans who believe that players who commit their time and effort to national teams should be given ample opportunities to contribute. Barkley’s comments suggest that Kerr’s rotation decisions may have hindered the team’s overall performance.
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