The Boston Celtics are holding their own right now, even with Jayson Tatum sidelined due to an Achilles injury. And while he's doing the work to get back on the court, Tatum recently opened up about something that's still weighing on him: his disappointing experience at the 2024 Olympics.
In a candid appearance on The Pivot Podcast, Tatum didn’t hold back. Despite being one of the most decorated players on that Team USA roster, he found himself watching more than playing - and it stung.
Coming off a dominant run in the NBA, Tatum expected a bigger role. What he got was limited minutes and a lingering sense of confusion.
“To be honest, that was tough,” Tatum said. “This is my second time in the Olympics… in 2021 we were in Tokyo, and my experience was totally different. I was the second leading scorer behind KD, and we beat France; we ended up winning a gold medal.”
Tatum had every reason to believe 2024 would be more of the same - or even better. He was riding high after a championship season, had just landed the largest contract in NBA history, and was fresh off a First-Team All-NBA selection.
He was also the only American to earn that honor. Add to that a NBA 2K cover appearance, and it’s easy to see why he felt like he was on top of the basketball world.
But when he got to the Olympics, reality didn’t match the hype.
“I was on top of the world… and then I get to the Olympics, and it didn’t go how I wanted it.”
Tatum didn’t understand the rotation decisions. He believed his résumé - and his performance in Tokyo - had earned him more floor time. Instead, he found himself on the bench more often than expected, watching others get the minutes he thought he deserved.
And yes, the team still won gold. That roster was stacked with talent, and they got the job done.
But for Tatum, it wasn’t about the medal - it was about the moment. He wasn’t thinking about proving anyone wrong later.
He was stuck in the frustration of the now.
“I was angry in the moment,” he admitted. “I didn’t care about proving Steve Kerr wrong down the road.”
Tatum had volunteered to represent Team USA. He took pride in wearing that jersey. But when the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way never really came, it left a mark.
It’s a rare glimpse into the mindset of a superstar who, despite all the accolades and success, still feels the sting of being overlooked. Tatum’s Olympic experience didn’t derail his career - far from it. But it did remind us that even the best players in the world aren’t immune to disappointment, especially when they believe they've earned more than they received.
And with Tatum now focused on getting healthy and returning to a Celtics team with title aspirations, it’s clear he hasn’t forgotten that feeling. Whether it fuels him going forward remains to be seen - but if history is any indicator, a motivated Jayson Tatum is a dangerous thing.