Video: Jayson Tatum responds to critics, saying he’ll do ‘what the hell I want to do’ | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

BOSTON, MA – NOVEMBER 6: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden on NOVEMBER 6, 2024 in Boston, MA. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that by downloading and/or using this photograph, User agrees to the terms of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

Adam Glanzman/Getty Images

Jayson Tatum has no interest in catering to those who say he should speak negatively about his lack of playing time for Team USA during the Olympics this summer.

Speaking to reporters after the Boston Celtics’ loss to the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, Tatum said he will “always do what the hell I want to do” when asked about those who wanted him to react because he was left on the bench. US national team head coach Steve Kerr.

Noah Dalzell @Noah Dalzell

Jayson Tatum was asked how people wanted him to react to benching at the Olympics:
“People want me to be louder, people want me to be meaner, whatever. That’s the thing about Jason: I’ll always do what the hell I want.” pic.twitter.com/AWc8mLVsMq

Wednesday’s game between the Warriors and Celtics marked the first time Kerr and Tatum have been back together since the Olympics.

As the USA men’s basketball team cruised to a gold medal in Paris, much of the roster discussion centered on Kerr’s use of Tatum.

The Celtics star played in only four of the tournament’s six games. He averaged 17.7 minutes per game, sixth on the team, and posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against Puerto Rico.

However, Tatum’s overall performance was far below what fans were accustomed to seeing from him in NBA games. He shot just 38.1 percent from the field and missed all four of his 3-point attempts.

After leaving Tatum on the bench in the first match against Serbia, Kerr explained they were trying to get Kevin Durant’s legs back under him. Durant missed all of Team USA’s training camps and exhibitions with a calf injury.

As more games went on and Tatum didn’t see much playing time, Kerr said it all came down to a math problem and not enough minutes for everyone:

“It’s not something I don’t see from Jason; that’s what I’ve seen from other guys. As I’ve said many times during this tournament and over the last six weeks, it’s hard to play with 11 people, even in an NBA game. Our second unit wasn’t great last night, but this group was one of the bright spots on our team, especially on defense. So it’s not about what Jason does or doesn’t do. It’s just about the combinations and how this group has played together, how Kevin (Durant) has filled in for him since he came back from injury. It’s more of a math problem.”

The discussion surrounding Tatum was interesting because no one was complaining about Tyrese Haliburton’s lack of playing time. The Indiana Pacers star averaged just 8.8 minutes per game through three games, but he took it all in stride and joked about it.

Even though Tatum is considered a better player than Haliburton and won his first NBA title with the Celtics earlier this summer, Kerr’s job wasn’t to meet the playing time needs of every player on the roster.

Kerr needed to get to the United States in the best possible position to win the gold medal, and that’s exactly what he did. Tatum may not have been fully aware of the situation, but it would be wise for him not to give in to public pressure to make the situation more serious since he may want to be on the team in 2028 when Team USA has a new head coach .