In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team USA is 2-0 with qualification to the next round sealed with a game to spare. Before that, Steve Kerr‘s men were 5-0 in the exhibitions. But if you’re thinking coach Kerr should be sainted for the job he’s doing, think again. This is the Team USA job and criticism is a perk that comes with it. Steve Kerr felt it after backing a misfiring Joel Embiid. He again felt it after benching Jayson Tatum in the Serbia game. While the decision raised a lot of eyebrows, Team USA had no problem having it their way on the court. But the JT benching was not only a disrespect, it was something more, believes a Celtics legend.

We are talking about Paul Pierce, who discussed Steve Kerr’s team selection on the latest episode of The Undisputed. The former NBA champion was not only displeased with Kerr’s treatment of Jayson Tatum but also went a step further in his scrutiny. “I don’t think this was a humbling Skip, this was more like a slap in the face,” Pierce told Bayless. Recalling Kerr’s post-game admission of feeling like an “idiot”, Pierce further added, “And then you try to sit Embiid the next game to kinda justify it….No. that ain’t what this was.” When asked what it was, PP said, “Just Celtic hate. Good old Celtic hate.”

Jayson Tatum started in the second game against South Sudan but failed to leave a mark. In the 17 minutes he played, the 26-year-old only added 4 points to his name while grabbing 5 rebounds. Possibly in the next game, the All-Star will be demoted to the bench once again. Despite that, his immense talent might not be a miss in the current Team USA line-up.

But there is someone who is quintessential to the team’s success and Paul Pierce marked him out, imploring Kerr to deploy him more.

Steve Kerr advised to use Team USA’s “game changer”

In the same episode, Piece revealed who he believes is the most impactful player on the roster. If you’re thinking of LeBron James or Kevin Durant, your assumption is wrong. According to PP, Anthony Davis is the ace that Team USA needs. “I did say that LeBron is probably the most valuable player, and KD is gonna be very, very instrumental. But to me, the most important player in all of this has to be Anthony Davis. I feel like he’s the backbone of the defense,” Pierce said.

Highlighting AD’s difference from Joel Embiid, Pierce explained how the latter is a ball-dominant player while AD is a utility guy who sets up the screen, blocks shots, and lets others get into the game. “I just feel like Anthony Davis changes the game every time he starts, comes off the bench, or plays, he changes the game…He’s blocking shots. He doesn’t need the ball. He fits perfectly with the starting unit,” PP said.

Steve Kerr has, however, already confirmed Embiid will be back in the line-up next game. Now if AD and Tatum don’t see much time on the court against Puerto Rico, rest assured, more rants are coming from Paul Pierce.

And to absorb more interesting stories, watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where the prodigy puts Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr under the pump with loaded NBA questions and more in this video below.