The talking point should have been Team USA winning gold, right? But for Boston Celtics fans, the story revolved around Steve Kerr benching Jayson Tatum during the critical semifinal in Paris. It was a humbling experience for the player, but fans may not always be on the same page. At TD Garden last week, the Warriors’ boss got a taste of that legendary Celtics crowd, with boos echoing through the arena. The reason? Kerr’s decision to bench Tatum.

Fans felt that it was unexpected, especially since JT just won an NBA title and was at the peak of his game. Yet, maybe, just maybe, there’s someone out there who gets why the veteran made that move.

DeMarcus Cousins, who has been on a gold-winning Team USA at the 2016 Rio Olympics, understands not just Jayson Tatum’s feelings but also why Steve Kerr did what he did. Speaking on FanDuel TV’s Run It Back, the former Warrior, stated, “He [Tatum] has every right to be upset. He had an incredible year, he is a champion, he has done all these spectacular things this past season. To then go to the semifinal event [Olympics], represent your country, and not get any minutes, obviously that s—s for him. “

“On the flip side of things, I’ve been a part of Team USA. I know how that thing works. You have to kind of wait your turn when veteran guys who have been part of the program for years get their chance first. It’s no disrespect to the guys coming up underneath—that’s just how Team USA works. Jayson just happened to be a victim of that moment,” DeMarcus Cousins revealed.

There seems to be some merit to Cousins’ opinion. Do you remember the 2012 London Olympics? Several veteran players were a priority, whereas Anthony Davis was the last guy on the bench. This happened despite Davis being the No. 1 pick of the 2012 NBA draft by the New Orleans Hornets. Back then, the Olympic roster included Bryant, LeBron James, Durant, Anthony, and Chris Paul, among others.

But JT will surely have more opportunities to represent his country in the future. That being said, Cousins understands why fans were annoyed.

“I understand Celtics fans; you just came off the championship. Jayson Tatum is one of the two, three best players in the world right now. It’s definitely understandable, but you just have to understand how Team USA works.”

Regardless, Team USA clinched gold, and while Celtics fans have been mad at Steve Kerr, we presume the backlash could have been worse if the team missed out on the gold.

But the question is: Will Jayson Tatum’s fans still understand the reasons? Besides, the Celtics’ power forward downplayed the Olympic coach’s controversy after last Wednesday’s loss to the Dubs.

Jayson Tatum didn’t scorch Steve Kerr after the game in TD Garden as many had expected…

Over the summer, Jayson Tatum’s Olympic experience in Paris wasn’t easy. Despite playing a key role in Boston’s NBA title, Coach Kerr benched JT during Team USA’s games against Serbia. He averaged just 17.7 minutes over four Olympic appearances. On Celtics Media Day, Tatum admitted the experience was tough.

However, he emphasized that he has moved on. “People want me to be louder, people want me to be meaner, whatever. One thing about Jayson is, I’m always going to do what the f–k I want to do,” he stated. Similarly, Kerr doesn’t regret his decision.

“I don’t give it a whole lot of thought other than I didn’t enjoy not playing Jayson against Serbia, not playing Joel (Embiid) against South Sudan,” Kerr said while also sharing it wasn’t a fun decision.

In his eighth NBA season, Jayson Tatum has grown comfortable with who he is and doesn’t let others’ opinions affect him. “It’s just learning how to not give a f—,” he said, reflecting on his growth. During his recent game against the Warriors, Tatum faced heavy defensive pressure but responded with 17 points in the third quarter, helping the Celtics close a 14-point gap.

“Just another Wednesday,” Jay candidly said after his 32-point haul against Golden State, although in a losing cause. “Another game, another opportunity to come in and try to be the best player I can be and try to get a win.” The talisman finished 10-of-20 from the field, with 5-of-10 from three, and contributed to Boston’s offensive flow despite the challenges. Coach Joe Mazzulla praised Jayson Tatum, calling his performance “great,” highlighting his adaptability and smart play.

So, the controversy over Jayson Tatum’s benching seems to be slowly fading. While the C’s power forward faced tough moments, he has moved on. He remains focused on his growth and is determined to keep playing his way.

Fans may debate the decision, but his performance on the court speaks for itself. His resilience and confidence are clear, and the future looks bright for him and Team USA.