Five final thoughts on Team USA’s captivating gold medal run

Nicely, it might not have unfolded precisely like we thought it will from a Celtics perspective, however in the long run, Jrue Vacation, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White reached the mountaintop as soon as once more.

They grew to become the primary trio to ever win each an NBA championship and gold medal in the identical calendar 12 months.

Earlier than we dive into to trivialities of the run itself, let’s all take a second to understand that milestone. Whereas each the Celtics and Crew USA have been favorites heading into their respective tournaments, neither triumph was assured. All three contributed to every run and need to be celebrated.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

1) Jayson Tatum’s lack of taking part in time was perplexing.

What a bizarre improvement, huh? It wasn’t simply from our Celtics-centric bubble, both. Tatum’s absence rapidly grew to become one of many largest tales of the Olympics in any sport.

Why wasn’t he taking part in? Did he upset Steve Kerr? Was it actually only a rotation factor? Would he be prepared if he obtained the prospect? Did anybody seek the advice of with Deuce?

Let’s be trustworthy. It grew to become a bit annoying, however on the similar time, it was refreshing to see individuals throughout the globe have Tatum’s again.

I personally suppose Tatum deserved to play in each recreation. If it’s a must to match 11 or 12 guys into the rotation, so what? Make it occur. Lots of people have been clamoring for Tatum to begin or shut. He’s a heck of a participant, however the actuality is that he didn’t earn that honor.

Devin Booker outplayed Tatum and deserved to log these minutes. Steph Curry, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis all deserved to be on the ground as effectively. So, he was naturally the odd man out. However to not play in any respect in some video games? That was simply plain bizarre. There’s no method to justify it, for my part.

Tatum didn’t play his greatest, nevertheless it’s onerous to play your greatest if you don’t really feel like a valued member of the workforce. Should you’re going into work on daily basis, going by the motions and watching as others produce, your productiveness is of course going to dwindle. That’s simply human nature, and this was a reminder that even NBA superstars are human.

What’s most vital is that Tatum makes use of this as gasoline and doesn’t let it outline him. I’ve a hunch he’ll be prepared when the NBA season rolls round. The Celtics are probably too balanced for him to win MVP, however I think he’ll have a near-MVP-caliber season.

2) Jrue Vacation is a Corridor of Famer.

Let these two stats sink in for a second:

Vacation joins Scottie Pippen as the one gamers to win an Olympic gold medal and an NBA title in the identical summer time – twice.

The one gamers in NBA historical past who match or exceed all of Vacation’s profession totals for normal and postseason factors, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks are Kobe Bryant, Clyde Drexler, James Harden, LeBron James and Pippen.

I believe each converse volumes to who he’s as each a participant and an individual. It’s not a coincidence that when Vacation arrives on a workforce, the tradition turns into even stronger. We noticed it first-hand.

It’s additionally not a coincidence that good issues constantly occur when he’s on the ground. Anybody may be nice in spurts. Vacation is all the time nice, and he saves his greatest when the workforce wants it most.

Take pleasure in having this man in your workforce. Don’t take it as a right. You’re watching a probable Corridor of Famer deliver out the most effective in these round him on a nightly foundation.

3) Derrick White’s contributions shouldn’t be taken as a right.

White, like Tatum, performed in stretches and sat in others. We’ve all given Tatum credit score for dealing with that gracefully, so let’s ensure that to do the identical for White.

No, he’s not a celebrity (although he’s a celebrity in his position), nevertheless it’s nonetheless not simple to take a seat on the bench in a gold medal recreation. Whereas Jaylen Brown is a extra proficient participant, I do agree that White was a greater match for this workforce.

With Durant, James, Curry, Booker and Anthony Edwards, Crew USA didn’t really want extra scoring. It wanted a glue man who may do the soiled work off the bench and set his teammates up. White, as he all the time does, excelled in his position.

4) Be careful for France in 2028.

Tatum mentioned all the best issues when requested about his future with the Olympic workforce. I purchase that he genuinely has no thought if he’ll play in 2028. Rather a lot can occur in a span of 4 years.

However it is going to be attention-grabbing to see the way it unfolds. Can a hypothetical workforce of Booker, Edwards, Tatum, Bam Adebayo, Jalen Brunson, Cooper Flagg and AJ Dybantsa beat France in 2028? By that time, Guerschon Yabusele (how about that dunk?) shall be an NBA All-Star and Victor Wembanyama shall be 8 ft tall.

I’d most likely take the U.S. in a nail-biter, however I believe France has a respectable shot to finish up on high in 2028.

5) This actually was a heck of a match.

I’ll watch any basketball recreation and discover a method to be entertained, however this actually was notably gripping basketball. Watching Curry, James and Durant on the identical ground was great, and seeing Curry go nutty with every thing on the road was exhilarating. That remaining shot was up there with the most effective I’ve ever seen at any degree.

I hope you all loved it as a lot as I did. The world is catching up, so don’t anticipate the drama and intrigue to dissipate anytime quickly.

For now, get some relaxation and get better. The NBA season shall be right here earlier than we all know it. I hope you’re as excited as I’m. Basketball by no means stops.