Did the hoops world recently witness Steve Kerr’s last stint on the international stage? Apparently so, because NBA reporter Marc Stein revealed that the 58-year-old wouldn’t continue as Team USA’s head coach, making himself unavailable for the 2027 FIBA World Cup and the 2028 LA Olympics. Two big projects, especially after LeBron, KD, and Steph call it a day. While some would be upset over this (still unofficial) decision, one popular sportscaster is definitely not among them.

After highlighting the news of Steve Kerr’s departure from Team USA, Stephen A. Smith clapped for six seconds while exclaiming, “Bravo, Bravo!” He made it clear that his critique was not based on the coach’s overall contribution. After all, he is someone who not only led Team USA to an Olympic gold but has also lifted more than a handful of Larry O’Brien trophies with the Warriors. Rather, Smith’s critique was based on how Kerr outright canceled any potential role Jayson Tatum could have held on the national team.

“He deserves our respect, fair enough. But I’m happy he’s gone,” Smith said on his YouTube show. He added, “If there’s somebody who deserves to celebrate the gold medal the least, it would be Steve Kerr. What he did to Jayson Tatum was unconscionable.” Tatum was benched for 2 of the 6 games that Team USA played during the 2024 Paris Olympics. His minutes were limited even in the games he appeared in, which was the case in the gold medal game.

The Celtics forward came off the bench in the first quarter and played for 11 minutes, registering 2 points and 3 rebounds. Discussing this, Smith continued, “I understand that Jayson Tatum went to the gold medal game, and he started and he didn’t look great; I get that part. But, we also know why, because Steve Kerr was messing with him from the standpoint of not playing him.”

Kerr called benching Tatum a “math problem,” and Smith addressed this, saying, “To go to the reigning defending NBA champion – a man who has been first-team All-NBA [for] the last three years – and tell him you’re probably not gonna find minutes for him. Are you kidding me? How are you gonna say, ‘Where am I gonna play him?’ Last time I checked, Jayson Tatum could play four positions.” Because of Steve Kerr’s math problem, Tatum only accumulated 71 minutes in Paris, the second-lowest in the team and a far cry from the 123 minutes he played in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

It didn’t take long for fans, NBA analysts, and even Jayson Tatum himself to critique Steve Kerr’s actions. After all, this was the same player who, along with Jaylen Brown, recently led Boston to its first championship since 2008.

Before Smith made his opinion clear, 96-year-old Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy highlighted the future repercussions of Kerr’s actions, stating, “This is an embarrassment for that poor kid all over the world. The Olympics have gotten that big. Everyone’s going to think that there’s something wrong with this kid.”

For Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, the snub was nothing short of a “mystery.”

However, Steve Kerr knew what he was doing, and he wouldn’t let anyone else call him out without telling his version of the story. In a statement, the 58-year-old revealed, “It’s not what I’m not seeing from Jayson. It’s what I’ve seen from the other guys.” As for benching him against Serbia in both the pool game and the semis, Kerr highlighted that the lineup had to be built by focusing on players that would best take on the opponent. This strategy also played a role in Kerr benching Embiid against South Sudan.

In the build-up to the Olympics, when Kerr announced how he would build the team around his Big 3, that likely meant Anthony Edwards wouldn’t be part of the starting lineup. At the time, former Warriors player Gilbert Arenas surmised that Kerr had an “agenda” against the Timberwolves star, considering Edwards’ performances against the Warriors. Well, in Jayson Tatum’s case, the last time he played against the Golden State (March 2024), he dropped 27 points, leading the Celtics to a 140-88 win and recording their third-largest winning margin in franchise history. Make of that what you will.

The Jayson Tatum-Steve Kerr controversy won’t be ending anytime soon. At least, that’s what it looks like. With backing from a cult host like Stephen A. Smith, who has amassed over 5.9 million followers on X alone, the narrative will keep free-flowing, as it’s been the case. Keeping the snub in mind, Jayson Tatum may not be enthusiastic about returning.

Will Jayson Tatum also drop out like Steve Kerr for the 2028 LA Olympics?

Back in November 2023, Steve Kerr told The Athletic, “To me, it’s a two-year cycle… I think where we are now, [it’s] one cycle, and you move on.” The two-year cycle he’s referring to is the World Cup and the Olympics. Now that he’s coached Team USA through both major events, he’s clarified his thoughts on his future. But what about Jayson Tatum? Will the list of players not returning to the team also include him? This question was on everyone’s mind after the gold medal run in Paris. Fortunately, the player himself provided some clarity.

In an interview with the Boston Globe, Jayson Tatum specifically named Steve Kerr for making the decisions that limited his minutes. As a competitor, the 2024 NBA champion expressed that he should have been given the chance to earn the medal himself, not through others. However, no matter how things turn out, Tatum wishes to not let the past rule the future. “It was a tough personal experience on the court, but I’m not going to make any decisions off emotions,” said the 26-year-old Celt.

On his LA 2028 ambitions, he added, “If you asked me right now if I’m going to play in 2028, it’s four years from now. I’d have to take time and think about that. So I’m not going to make any decision based on how this experience was, or how I feel individually.”

Jayson Tatum’s remarks were somewhat in contrast to what Stephen A. Smith wished from the player. In the later part of his segment, the 56-year-old went out of his way to state that Kerr was wrong in his decision and that he should be made aware of this error. “I wouldn’t let it go. [If] I was Jayson Tatum, I wouldn’t even think about playing in the 2028 Olympics if Steve Kerr was the head coach. Wouldn’t even think about it.” So, as per the latest trend, Kerr won’t be present.

Would you like to see Jayson Tatum attempt a third consecutive gold medal at the Olympics in LA? Let us know in the comments.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.