One of the most controversial storylines during the 2024 Paris Olympics was Jayson Tatum and Steve Kerr. Of course, a lot has been discussed on the matter. Tatum provided a professional statement. Kerr responded by explaining his decisions, and everything calmed down. Sort of. Now, a Hall of Famer has a unique take on the whole situation.

Dominique Wilkins, the Hawks legend, believes it was a huge mistake to sideline JT in the Olympics. However, the Georgia alum was careful not to delve deep into the tactical details behind the controversy. All he emphasized was that for USA Basketball to select Jayson Tatum from the vast talent pool the NBA offers, it had to mean something.

No matter what analysts and pundits outline as reasons behind Kerr’s choices, Wilkins opined that it goes beyond that. “Winning is everything and we all know that, but at the same time, it’s like, you know ‘We worked hard to get to this. I earned my right to play!’ But for whatever reason, that didn’t happen.”

Tatum, for all the faults ascribed to him, played a major role in leading the Celtics‘ championship run. The 26-year-old found himself on the All-NBA First Team for three years straight. He was also an All-Star from 2020 to 2024. As Wilkins pointed out, Tatum earned the right to play.

Interestingly, Stephen Jackson had a scary prediction. “I know Joe Mazzulla probably sit at home, ‘Yes! I’m glad y’all doing them like this. They going to come back and destroy y’all … both my boys mad.'” The former NBA champion was referring to the Jaylen Brown snub there.

When Kawhi Leonard withdrew, they opted to go with JB’s teammate Derrick White over the Finals MVP. And while there were no hard feelings between the two men, it was too obvious a slight to disregard. And Brown had no qualms in calling it out, either. Hence, Jackson’s claim that the C’s head coach and their two franchise superstars gearing up to torch the league in the 2024-25 season wouldn’t be too much of a stretch.

For one, Tatum admitted that he was, after all, “just human”.

Despite Jayson Tatum’s classy words, Steve Kerr might have just “broke up a monster”

For the majority of his media availability in Paris, JT spent his time fielding questions pertaining to his lack of playing time and Brown. And while he gave it his best shot at being professional, there was bound to be a slip in that mask of professionalism. I mean, even his mom took to social media wondering just what exactly was happening!

As he sat down for his final presser after winning the gold, Jayson Tatum confessed to a few things. “I think the tough part is, yes, you can use things to fuel you, but, you know, I’m still human, and it’s still a human aspect, part of being in the moment. I sacrificed and put a lot into this game and worked really, really hard. So, you know, in the moment it is tough.”

Can anyone reading these words say that Jayson wasn’t hurt? It should have been a joyous occasion, but all Tatum could bring himself to say was that it was “definitely challenging and humbling at the same time.” 

Hence, as Matt Barnes pointed out, “they might have really broke up a monster.” Not just in JT, but in Jaylen Brown, too. Although the latter has no bone to pick with Kerr (unless you count denying them the championship in 2022), he certainly has a few things to clear up with the rest of them.

 Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger.