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

Effectively, it could not have unfolded precisely like we thought it might 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 turned 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 Group USA have been favorites heading into their respective tournaments, neither triumph was assured. All three contributed to every run and should be celebrated.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty.

1) Jayson Tatum’s lack of enjoying time was perplexing.

What a bizarre growth, huh? It wasn’t simply from our Celtics-centric bubble, both. Tatum’s absence rapidly turned 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 turned a bit annoying, however on the similar 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 start out 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 technique to justify it, in my view.

Tatum didn’t play his greatest, nevertheless it’s laborious to play your greatest while you don’t really feel like a valued member of the group. When you’re going into work day-after-day, going by way of 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 essential 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 seemingly too balanced for him to win MVP, however I believe 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 season – 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 communicate volumes to who he’s as each a participant and an individual. It’s not a coincidence that when Vacation arrives on a group, 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 at all times nice, and he saves his greatest when the group wants it most.

Take pleasure in having this man in your group. Don’t take it as a right. You’re watching a possible Corridor of Famer carry out one of the best 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 be certain to do the identical for White.

No, he’s not a famous person (although he’s a famous person in his position), nevertheless it’s nonetheless not straightforward to sit down 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 group.

With Durant, James, Curry, Booker and Anthony Edwards, Group 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 at all times does, excelled in his position.

4) Be careful for France in 2028.

Tatum stated all the proper issues when requested about his future with the Olympic group. I purchase that he genuinely has no thought if he’ll play in 2028. Quite a bit can occur in a span of 4 years.

However will probably be attention-grabbing to see the way it unfolds. Can a hypothetical group 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 toes tall.

I’d in all probability 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 technique to be entertained, however this actually was significantly gripping basketball. Watching Curry, James and Durant on the identical ground was fantastic, and seeing Curry go nutty with every little thing on the road was exhilarating. That remaining shot was up there with one of the best I’ve ever seen at any stage.

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 recuperate. 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.