NBA Champion Calls Out Steve Kerr Following Jayson Tatum Decision

Golden State Warriors Champion Matt Barnes called out Team USA coach Steve Kerr.

May 31, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Matt Barnes (22) addresses the media during the NBA Finals media day at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday, Team USA won their first game of the 2024 Olympics when they beat Nikola Jokic and Serbia by a score of 110-84.

Kevin Durant and LeBron James combined to score 44 points (James also had nine assists).

DURANT AND LEBRON BOTH PERFECT IN FIRST HALF 😤

KD: 21 PTS, 8-8 FG, 5-5 3PT
Bron: 12 PTS, 5 AST, 5-5 FG

This duo 🙌 pic.twitter.com/CBTLuUSPrd

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 28, 2024

One of the biggest storylines was that Boston Celtics All-Star Jayson Tatum did not play.

Via Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe: "Kerr admits Tatum was a straight up DNP-CD. “I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He’ll make his mark.” #Celtics #Paris2024"

Kerr admits Tatum was a straight up DNP-CD. “I went with the combinations that made sense. That was for tonight. He handled it well. He’ll make his mark.” #Celtics #Paris2024

— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) July 28, 2024

Following the game, NBA Champion Matt Barnes called out head coach Steve Kerr (and assistant coach Erik Spoelstra).

Barnes wrote: "Not sure who’s deciding who’s playing what minutes in these Olympics but for @jaytatum0 to not get any minutes is crazy AF @SteveKerr & #EricSporlstra #USAMenBasketball #Olympics"

Not sure who’s deciding who’s playing what minutes in these Olympics but for @jaytatum0 to not get any minutes is crazy AF @SteveKerr & #EricSporlstra#USAMenBasketball #Olympics

— Matt Barnes (@Matt_Barnes22) July 28, 2024

Barnes briefly played for Kerr when he joined the Warriors during the 2016-17 season.

They won the NBA Championship (over James and the Cleveland Cavaliers) that year.

Apr 5, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Matt Barnes against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports / Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

As for Tatum, he is coming off another incredible year for the Celtics where he averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.0 steals per contest while shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from the three-point range in 74 games.

He also led the Celtics to the 2024 NBA Championship over Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks.

Jul 10, 2024; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; USA forward Jayson Tatum (10) looks on in the third quarter against Canada in the USA Basketball Showcase at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports / Candice Ward-USA TODAY Sports

Team USA went a perfect 5-0 in their exhibition games before Sunday's victory over Serbia.

They will play their next game on Wednesday against South Sudan.