Team USA met Serbia three times during the Olympics, including a tune-up, group stage, and semifinal game. While the previous encounters were challenging, the semifinal clash was particularly nerve-wracking for Team USA fans.
Despite trailing by 17 points, Team USA managed to outscore Serbia 32-15 during a crucial stretch of the game, ultimately securing a narrow 95-91 victory. Like many fans, Draymond Green was on the edge of his seat in the game’s outcome.
“My heart was in my stomach watching this game. I was this close to putting Bron and Steph in a group chat, like, ‘Bruh, come on, man.’ At halftime, we were down 11. I was boutta—I was this close to group-texting them,” he said.
On an episode of ‘The Draymond Green Show,’ the NBA star shared how close he was to taking action during the game. Green revealed that he nearly started a group chat with fellow basketball legends LeBron James and Stephen Curry to rally support and strategize how to help Team USA overcome the deficit.
Draymond Green Calls Out Kerr for Not Playing Jayson Tatum in Crucial Semifinal
During Team USA’s semifinal game against Serbia, head coach Steve Kerr decided to sideline NBA champion Jayson Tatum. Many began questioning Kerr’s choice as the game advanced and Team USA was in a tough battle.
Draymond Green was also one of Kerr’s critics. The Golden State Warriors star held back on his show in expressing his disagreement with Kerr’s decision to bench Tatum.
“Not playing [Jayson Tatum] was wrong. We all know it was wrong. He should’ve played. He didn’t… From the outside looking in, [Kerr’s response] comes off as, ‘We made a mistake as a coaching staff,‘” Green said.
This isn’t the first time Kerr has faced criticism for handling Tatum’s playing time. While Kerr has attempted to justify his decision, many fans remain unconvinced. It will remain to be seen if Kerr understands fans’ voices and adds Tatum to the lineup against France in the final.
