Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green said his head coach Steve Kerr and Team USA are "crazy" for benching Jayson Tatum to open the Olympics.
"You just don't not play Jayson Tatum in Game 1 of the Olympics," Green said on his podcast, "The Draymond Green Show."
The Boston Celtics star, along with Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton, sat in the United States' 110-84 victory over Serbia to open group play, with Kerr and Co. choosing to run with a 10-man rotation.
It's been an eventful summer for the 26-year-old Tatum, who was rewarded with the biggest contract in NBA history after leading the Celtics to the NBA title, cashing in with a five-year, $314-million deal.
After sitting in Game 1, Tatum entered the starting lineup in the USA's second game against South Sudan, while Philadephia 76ers big man Joel Embiid took his spot on the bench. Celtics guard Jrue Holiday sat in Game 3 against Puerto Rico due to a minor ankle injury, with Embiid returning to the starting rotation.
The constant shuffling from the U.S. squad has raised eyebrows from Green, a two-time Olympian.
"Quite frankly, I don't like it," Green said. "Come out with a rotation and stick with it. These teams aren't good enough to where we're trying to match their lineup. They've got to match our lineup."
He added, "It just comes off as like a 'we made a mistake as a coaching staff' ... you now combat it with 'alright, now this guy isn't playing.'"
USA leads the men's basketball field with a plus-62 margin of victory across the group stage. It takes on Brazil in the quarterfinals on Tuesday and will meet the winner of Serbia and Australia with a victory.
