In the eyes of many, Jayson Tatum was disrespected and, in some ways, embarrassed in front of a global audience during the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The five-time All-Star played just 71 minutes—the second-fewest on the team, ahead of only Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton. He didn’t play in two of the six games, including the nail-biting semifinal victory over Serbia. Even in the gold medal game, he came off the bench in the first quarter and logged only 11 minutes.
Few people understood the decision to bench Tatum. With support pouring in from all corners of the NBA, both past and present, many wondered how a superstar of his caliber could be left out.
“It was a tough personal experience on the court,” Tatum told reporters. “It’s something I’m going to take away from this and learn from this experience. It’s definitely challenging and humbling at the same time.”
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old joined Michael Jordan and LeBron James as the only players to achieve All-NBA First Team honors, win an NBA championship, and secure an Olympic gold medal in the same year, not letting the lack of playing time distract him from the ultimate goal.
“I think everybody knows JT. He’s the ultimate professional,” Tatum’s Team USA, and Boston Celtics teammate, Jrue Holiday, said. “He already knows what it is and what the ultimate goal is. I don’t think he needed any encouragement. I think it’s more so like staying ready whenever it’s his time to be called.”
Alongside Holiday and Tatum was Derrick White. The Boston trio accounted for a quarter of the roster and became the first to win an NBA championship and an Olympic gold medal in the same year.
“Playing with them is pretty comfortable,” Holiday said. “We did it for a while, and we won together, but to go over there and kind of represent our country together was really cool.”
In a way, the Olympics did the Celtics a favor.
For Holiday, it was a step closer to etching his name in basketball immortality and a spot in the Hall of Fame. For White, it was a chance to show a global audience the kind of player he is. And for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, it gave one of the NBA’s most dangerous duos the extra boost they might have needed.
Now, the Celtics have shifted their focus to defending their title, possibly more motivated than ever—a quest in which Holiday believes they have the upper hand.
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