“Trash Coach”: Fans Divide After Gilbert Arenas Thrashes Steve Kerr and Co. With Hard Claim

Steve Kerr facing criticism for roster-related decisions is nothing new. He has faced similar circumstances during his time with the Golden State Warriors; he is facing them now with Team USA. The only aspect that has stayed constant is his ability to deliver amid all the criticism. While 4 NBA championships are a testament to it, no loss so far in the 2024 Olympics run is another. But his decisions and moves seem to have not gone down well with some, and Gilbert Arenas is one of them.

Appearing on his podcast Gil’s Arena, the 3x All Star pointed out the coaching staff as the worst aspect of Team USA men’s basketball. “If they was on an individual team, they would not be doing the s*it that they’re doing, bro. You’re not gonna sit Jimmy Butler and bring him off the bench, right? You’re gonna put the best starting five that you have on your team in the game…” he said.

Meanwhile, yet another member from Gil’s crew, Kenyon Martin, argued in favor of Jayson Tatum. Notably, Tatum did not play against Siberia. Although Team USA won the game by 110-84, there was some criticism and many questions around the move. “You win a championship, new contract, NBA 2K25 cover, Sports Illustrated… so after all of this, it’s definitely a humbling experience,” Tatum said of the move.

But he also emphasized the whole thing is not about an individual, and he is not there to make a story about himself. However, Martin has a different opinion, as he believes there is no such game plan which should not include the Celtics star. In fact, he went on to state that there has to be something wrong with Steve to not include Jayson in a game. Similar sentiments echo among fans who remain divided in their opinions.

Fans react to opinions against Steve Kerr as the Team USA coach

The 2024 roster for the Olympics sure had multiple close calls during exhibition games, including the famed 101-100 against South Sudan. Though it has been improved on the big stage for 20+ margins, one X user believes this gap could be widened. “100%. Kerr’s the reason that they’re not winning every game by 50,” he commented. Although this could very well be a sarcastic take on Gils’ opinion.

However, another user did not mince his words at all. “The world is waking up to Steve being a trash coach,” the user wrote, speaking of the recent critisms. Previously, even Arenas himself tagged the 58-year-old’s coaching “ignorant” for not allowing Tatum start the game.

But then there were multiple opinions in favor of the 4x NBA champ coach. “Whole lot of complaining when their winning every game by a whole lot of points. So what he’s doing is clearly working,” stated one X user. Notably, following the exhibition games, Team USA has emerged victorious in all their match ups by a margin of 20+ points, except against South Sudan — USA won by a margin of 17 points. But the 35+ points win against Brazil in the quarter finals soon made up for it.

Meanwhile, one user highlighted how “people said the same about Pop four years ago.” It is no secret the team had faced constant criticism during the 2020 Olympics run. And the then Team USA coach Gregg Popovich was no exception to this. Interestingly though, he too is a coach with 5 championships to his name, and he helmed team’s path to gold as well in the 2020 Olympics. “And I would just like to say to all those people out there: How the f*ck you like us now?” Pop had said in his speech after the win.

Yet another user took a dig at Martin and Gil for their remarks. “Only 5 people can play, so genius who are you benching…” he commented on the post. And it’s not as if Kerr has not already cleared his stance and strategy. As per an article by Olympics.com, the 58-year-old clarified that as far as the playing time and rotations are concerned, players will have to keep their egos aside for the team’s betterment.

He also stated every opponent that the team is facing is different. “We’ve got options for everything, and we’re going to use those options how we best see fit,” Kerr said. It’s clear the 4x NBA champ coach is in no mood to take chances with the gold.

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.