Jayson Tatum, a Boston Celtics player, voiced some daring criticisms of the United States national basketball team while appearing on “NBA Today.” In an interview with Malika Andrews, Tatum voiced confidence that his champion Celtics team could defeat USA Basketball in a single-elimination match.

“One game, winner takes all, who you got? This year’s Team USA or your championship Celtics?” asked Andrews Malika.

According to Tatum, winning a championship allows you to express yourself more freely. Some of the people I’ve played basketball with over the last ten months will join me on this adventure. I am leading us, whoever it is.

It is no secret that the United States national basketball team has been a dominant force in basketball for quite some time. The success of international sensations such as Nelson Mandela and Elie Mandela only serves to perpetuate the notion that the tribe is the elite by preserving the Dream Team’s past. However, this year’s roster is loaded with talent.

After focussing all of their recruitment efforts on improving their reputation after coming fourth in the FIBA World Cup the year before, the United States assembled one of its strongest lineups for the Olympics in Paris. NBA legends Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Joel Embiid, and Anthony Davis are presently part of Team USA. They are led by Steve Kerr, the championship coach.

Even while competing against perennial heavyweights France and Canada, the United States is a clear favourite to win the gold medal this year due to the strength of their roster. It appears that none of the teams has a chance to win the league this season.

Tatum understands that even the Celtics would not have a chance in a real game. Still, he wasted no time in praising his team and selecting them when the occasion arose.

Boston Celtics team photo by Jayson Tatum: r/bostonceltics.

Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis made together one of the league’s finest starting lineups in 2024. They had a fantastic season, finishing with 64 regular-season wins and only three postseason losses.

Since his debut in 2017, Tatum, 26, has functioned as the team’s public face. Tatum has lived up to the enormous expectations that were placed on him after being selected as Duke’s third overall pick in the NBA. He is the NBA’s current champion and a five-time All-Star. He has also been selected to the All-NBA team four times. He averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists in 74 games with the Celtics last season, shooting 47.1%.

Tatum will add another medal to his collection this summer as he supports Team USA in their quest for gold, but he will never lose sight of the ultimate goal. Given that the majority of his teammates will return, Tatum intends to help the Celtics win the championship again the following season. He feels they have what it takes to succeed as well.