Jayson Tatum made the baskets against Warriors, but not the statement in Celtics' loss
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### Celtics Fans Boo Steve Kerr Over Jayson Tatum's Olympic Bench Time
At the Celtics' first match against the Golden State Warriors following the 2024 Olympics, Celtics fans vigorously booed Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Their dissatisfaction stemmed from Jayson Tatum’s limited role during Team USA’s gold medal triumph, which did not sit well with the Boston faithful.
The Celtics PA announcer paused deliberately before introducing Kerr, amplifying the crowd's reaction. The boos mirrored those historically aimed at NBA figures like Bill Laimbeer and Kyrie Irving. Despite the pregame uproar, the Warriors emerged victorious with a 118-112 win, led by Steph Curry's 27 points after overturning a halftime deficit.
Kerr, unbothered by the reception, acknowledged the crowd with a wave, recognizing fans' rights to express their opinions. He later expressed no regret over his Olympic decisions, citing the challenging nature of such calls. Despite this, Kerr maintained that he had the utmost respect for Tatum.
Jayson Tatum, now a seasoned member of the Celtics' storied legacy, took the Olympic benching in stride, emphasizing his readiness and contribution to winning another gold medal. The Celtics' recent history with the Warriors, notably the latter's NBA Finals win three seasons ago, ensures ongoing narratives between the teams. Should they face each other in future finals, the Kerr-Tatum dynamic will likely resurface, potentially reshaping memories if Tatum produces a defining game moment.