Winning is everything, as the rest of it moves forward: that’s what a former ESPN analyst tried pointing out as he hurled down on the hoops community for targeting Team USA’s coach Kerr for benching Jayson Tatum in the first group game. The fanbase was all over Steve for making an NBA Champion sit on the sidelines. But the point is, that’s the sacrifice the Dream Team 2.0 needed to make against Serbia. It ain’t a slow offensive trail, and the Celt wasn’t fitting in the team, which demanded a cut-close offensive strategy.

Therefore, Dan Patrick unfolded the benching scenario. How? Let’s get right to it. He had a problem with the ruckus everyone created around Jayson Tatum with all the narratives like Kerr’s agenda, his comeback, and all. Dan seemed disappointed, and he addressed the issue, nevertheless, stating, “It’s hard to get everyone into a 40-minute game. It’s a 10-minute quarters. You know everybody there is an All-Star. They all think they should play…I get it Jayson Tatum won a title. Had an unbelievable year, but they didn’t fit in there what they were up against, against Serbia.”

Also, the media vet confessed that he was “surprised at the outrage.” Well, it must be said that Kerr was targeted for a purely must-win approach. He shouldn’t be held responsible. He did what he did because of the availability of better players and matchups, as Dan Patrick further added, “We do have great players here. Would you rather have Jayson Tatum or Kevin Durant?”

“I’ll take Kevin Durant! International play, Kevin Durant every day. If he’s healthy every day. I think that’s where we get lost sometimes. Who’s the right player, at the right time against the right team? That’s all Steve Kerr is doing!” he asserted on the ‘Dan Patrick Show’. KD proved it with his performance on the court as he scored 23 points, scoring 8-9 shots with 5 three-pointers despite just coming back from a calf injury. Durant has bagged three Olympic Golds while Jayson is an Olympic debutant, so coach Kerr went for the obvious choice. That’s why Dan Patrick also coached Jayson Tatum regarding his subtle approach at the Olympics.

Dan Patrick’s words of wisdom to Jayson Tatum, reminisces about Mike Krzyzewski’s team of winners

As Dan Patrick was addressing Tatum sitting on the sidelines, he also pointed out the nuances of a player’s personal strategy when representing a nation on the world stage. He was wondering about the fact that the Celt seemed to be bothered by his snub and further advised the reigning NBA Champion, “We had Mike Krzyzewski, and Coach K said, when he coached, he demanded a pledge from his players whatever it would take to win a gold medal. Not, ‘I got to get touches, I got to get playing time.'”

Notably, Mike was at the helm, who drove Team USA to their 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio Olympics Gold. He was the first basketball mastermind to have won 3 Olympic Gold medals. He also had a successful FIBA World Cup run in 2010 and 2014, bagging a gold medal ultimately.

Nevertheless, coming to Tatum’s dissatisfaction, Patrick added, “That’s what surprised me a little bit. All Jayson Tatum had to say is I’m here to win a gold medal. I hope I get to play, I expect to play; I should play, but I have to be a team player.”

No doubt there can’t be a perfect matchup where all the stars on the Dream Team 2.0 fit in at the same time. Different teams require combinations that run in resonance with the opponent’s playing style. And that’s what Steve Kerr did when he benched Jayson Tatum.

Another example emerged in the next game itself when the head coach benched Joel Embiid. Well, the Sixer might’ve not won a Championship yet, but he’s still a former MVP. Kerr gave the simple reason that he wanted to match South Sudan’s pace and that’s why he made the tough call.

So, he shouldn’t be blamed for his decisions since the goal is to win a Gold for Team USA and not with only an X player being the star of the show, don’t you think?

Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.