What Brad Stevens said about Jayson Tatum’s benchings and Jaylen Brown’s Team USA snub
"And this will probably add more fuel to his fire," Stevens said about Brown. "But he doesn’t need much fuel added. He finds it."
During a recent interview with The Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, Brad Stevens said his role when it comes to Celtics-related controversies with USA Basketball is to tell people how great his guys are and to stay out of the way.
But, it can be difficult to showcase greatness when one Celtics star has been benched twice and the other was left off the team all together.
Himmelsbach asked Stevens if he had any advice for Jayson Tatum, who did not play a single minute in Team USA’s semifinal win over Serbia earlier this week.
“It’s hard to not play, and I’m guessing it’s exponentially harder when you’re one of the best players in the world,” Stevens said. “But when we’ve talked, he’s been all about the team. This is such a unique opportunity to win a gold medal in the Olympics. He’s always ready. The championship game [against France Saturday] will be a great road environment, and he shines in those situations.”
Stevens did not say whether he had spoken to Brown about being left off the team. He did say that he believes Brown, who is the reigning NBA Finals MVP, is deserving of a spot.
“I think Jaylen could be on any Olympic team any given year,” Stevens said. “He could be a featured part of those teams. I saw [USA Basketball director Grant Hill] said he’d love to sit down and talk to him about being part of that pool in ‘28, whatever that may be.”
“But I think Jaylen is one of the best players in the world,” Stevens added. “And one of the best things about Jaylen is whether he gets the call and makes the team or doesn’t get the call, he’s going to use it as motivation to get better. So I know he’s working and he’s excited about improving.”
Brown claimed the Eastern Conference and NBA Finals MVP awards this past postseason while leading the Celtics to their record 18th title. He raised his game significantly last offseason. Stevens expects no less this time around.
“I think he’ll truly embrace the challenges that come with winning last year. That’s who he’s always been,” Stevens said. “And this will probably add more fuel to his fire. But he doesn’t need much fuel added. He finds it.”
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