Steve Kerr might have just earned his final gold medal for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. According to reporter Marc Stein, the Golden State Warriors head coach’s tenure with the national team has come to an end, with potential replacements being lined up.
According to sources, USA Basketball, overseen by managing director Grant Hill, is looking at two of Kerr’s assistants, Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue, as possible replacements. Kerr served as an assistant to the last national team coach, Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs, at the Tokyo Olympics.
The four-time NBA championship coach had previously hinted about stepping aside after the Olympics. He’d be happy to leave on a good note in what appeared to be a redemption event after finishing fourth in the previous FIBA World Cup.
However, his benching of Boston Celtics NBA champion and standout player Jayson Tatum may jeopardise his final moments with the national team. Legends and fans alike chastised him for making what they saw as an unfair and unjust choice to limit his playing time.
Carmelo Anthony criticises Steve Kerr’s handling of Jayson Tatum during the Olympics.
As Coach Kerr prepares to step down from his position as coach, New
Carmelo Anthony, a York Knicks legend, has joined a million others in speaking out against how he handled Jayson Tatum’s playing minutes. His main worry, as articulated on his podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, was insufficient communication between the two parties. JT was benched for two games and played the second-fewest minutes (71 minutes) throughout the USA’s run to retain their title in Paris. Although it was assumed that he would not play as much as he did for the Celtics, he was not expected to unseat either LeBron James or Steph Curry from the starting lineup.
However, with the departure of Coach Kerr and the retirement of King James, Tatum is projected to shift to the team’s leader, assuming he makes himself Available for selection. JT will need to focus on the upcoming season if he wants to help the defending champions capture their 20th crown.
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