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[Saba Sports News] Fresh off a championship with the Celtics, Jayson Tatum was expected to shine at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. However, despite Team USA winning gold, Tatum struggled to find his rhythm and was on the edge of the rotation.
Reflecting on his performance, Tatum admitted, “I wasn’t moping around or angry. I stayed ready and did what was asked of me, and I won a gold medal. But I couldn’t make a jump shot with Team USA. It’s a weird rhythm thing; you never know when you’ll get the ball.” He noted the challenge of adjusting to the unpredictable flow of international play, which affected his shooting.
Tatum’s shooting woes began during the NBA playoffs and carried over into the Olympics. Although he was fully healthy, he missed every jumper he took and averaged just 5.3 points per game. Despite being a seasoned Olympian with gold medals from 2020 and 2024, Tatum received limited playing time, averaging only 17.7 minutes over six games and even sitting out two crucial matches.
Despite the challenges, Tatum remained positive, embracing his role and celebrating the team’s success. As he shifts his focus to the upcoming NBA season, Tatum is determined to bounce back from a tough postseason and prove himself once again as one of the league’s top forwards.
Looking ahead, Tatum, now a two-time gold medalist, will likely be a key figure for Team USA in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, possibly with more NBA championships under his belt.