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Dave Portnoy hopes France ‘smacks’ USA basketball after Jayson Tatum’s Olympics benching

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Dave Portnoy hopes France ‘smacks’ USA basketball after Jayson Tatum’s Olympics benching

Dave Portnoy is hoping for a Team USA downfall in the gold medal game against France.

The Barstool Sports founder and diehard Celtics fan was set off by Jayson Tatum’s benching during the Summer Games, prompting him to hop on the French bandwagon ahead of the title game on Saturday. 

“I was rooting against [the U.S.],” Portnoy said of the Americans’ game against Serbia on Thursday in a video posted to X. “And I want France to beat them by 1,000 points. I don’t care that I’m American. The disrespect that Steve Kerr has shown Jayson Tatum throughout this tournament makes me hate this team.”

“I hope France smacks them,” Portnoy said later during the three-minute-long rant. “And then I hope, walking out, Tatum puts brass knuckles on and breaks Steve Kerr’s jaw.”

Tatum, who won the NBA title with Boston in June, hasn’t seen the floor in two of Team USA’s five games throughout the Paris Olympics. 

Dave Portnoy looks on prior to Game Four of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics at American Airlines Center on June 14, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. Getty Images

In the three games he’s played, Tatum has averaged 6.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. 

Tatum opened up about his benching after the Americans’ opening 2024 Olympics game against Serbia two weeks ago, calling it a “humbling experience.”

Jayson Tatum hasn’t seen the floor in two of Team USA’s five Olympic games. NBAE via Getty Images

“Win a championship, new contract, cover of (NBA) 2K and then you sit a whole game,” Tatum said. “Cover of Sports Illustrated. So it was definitely a humbling experience.”

Tatum’s mom, Brandy Cole, took to X to question Kerr’s decision to bench her son, airing her frustration to ESPN broadcaster Dick Vitale, who also was puzzled about the Celtics star’s lack of playing time. 

Head Coach Steve Kerr of United States looks on during a Men’s basketball semifinals match between Team United States and Team Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. Getty Images

“Someone pls let me know is @jaytatum0 injured as he hasn’t received the PT ( playing time ) u would expect an All NBA player to get,” Vitale wrote.

“No he not,” Cole replied. “But if you find out what’s going on please let me know – unacceptable and makes NO SENSE.”

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