Gregg Popovich Jokes About Message To Jayson Tatum Earlier than Spectacular Efficiency

You don’t develop into a legendary coach like Gregg Popovich with out understanding find out how to give some sage recommendation. That’s exactly what he did for Jayson Tatum on Saturday night time.

Tatum hadn’t been overly impactful early on through the Tokyo Olympics, which acquired him relegated to a bench position. He supplied a pleasant jolt Saturday although, dropping 27 factors off the bench in a Crew USA victory over the Czech Republic of their remaining qualifying spherical recreation.

Seems, Popovich had a joking message for Tatum.

“I simply advised Jayson to behave like he’s enjoying the Spurs,” Popovich mentioned, through The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn. “Each time he performs us he scores 90.”

Popovich isn’t fully unsuitable, both. Of all of the groups within the NBA, Tatum averages his fourth-most factors (22.4) per contest in opposition to the Spurs. That trails solely the New Orleans Pelicans (25.9), Portland Path Blazers (25.8) and Los Angeles Clippers (23.0)

Tatum’s subsequent alternative to play like he’s going through the Spurs might be within the knockout spherical.