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

Properly, it could not have unfolded precisely like we thought it could 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 trivia of the run itself, let’s all take a second to understand that milestone. Whereas each the Celtics and Group 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 enjoying 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 enjoying? Did he upset Steve Kerr? Was it actually only a rotation factor? Would he be prepared if he acquired the prospect? Did anybody seek the advice of with Deuce?

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

I personally suppose Tatum deserved to play in each sport. 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 nicely. 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 option to justify it, for my part.

Tatum didn’t play his greatest, however it’s exhausting to play your greatest once you don’t really feel like a valued member of the crew. Should you’re going into work every single day, going via 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 necessary 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 doubtless 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 feel 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 crew, 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 will be nice in spurts. Vacation is all the time nice, and he saves his greatest when the crew wants it most.

Get pleasure from having this man in your crew. Don’t take it without any consideration. You’re watching a possible Corridor of Famer deliver out the very best in these round him on a nightly foundation.

3) Derrick White’s contributions shouldn’t be taken without any consideration.

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 be sure that to do the identical for White.

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

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

4) Be careful for France in 2028.

Tatum mentioned all the correct issues when requested about his future with the Olympic crew. I purchase that he genuinely has no concept if he’ll play in 2028. Lots can occur in a span of 4 years.

However it will likely be attention-grabbing to see the way it unfolds. Can a hypothetical crew 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?) will probably be an NBA All-Star and Victor Wembanyama will probably be 8 ft tall.

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

5) This actually was a heck of a event.

I’ll watch any basketball sport and discover a option to be entertained, however this actually was significantly gripping basketball. Watching Curry, James and Durant on the identical flooring was great, and seeing Curry go nutty with all the things on the road was exhilarating. That ultimate shot was up there with the very best 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 count on the drama and intrigue to dissipate anytime quickly.

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