OMG: Steve Kerr to step down as USA men’s basketball head coach after delivering Gold at Paris Olympics

Steve Kerr might’ve just won his last gold medal for Team USA at the Paris Olympics. Reporter Marc Stein has revealed that the Golden State Warriors head coach’s time with the national team is over, with possible replacements already lined up to handle the reins.

According to the reports, USA Basketball, led by managing director, Grant Hill, is considering two of Kerr’s assistants, Erik Spoelstra and Tyronn Lue , as potential replacements. Kerr himself was an assistant to the last national team coach, San Antonio Spurs’ Gregg Popovich , at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

The four-time NBA winning coach had earlier given hints about stepping down from the role after the Olympics. He would be glad to be leaving on a high note in what seemed like a redemption tournament after he suffered a disappointing fourth-place finish in the last FIBA World Cup tournament.

Steve Kerr “not expected to continue” as head coach of Team USA, per @TheSteinLine

Erik Spoelstra and Ty Lue are frontrunners to replace Kerr pic.twitter.com/56SIi4GCfE

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 18, 2024

However, his benching of Boston Celtics NBA winner and star player Jayson Tatum may end up hurting his final moments with the national team. He was heavily criticized by legends and fans alike for what was seen as an unfair and unjust decision to limit his minutes on the court.

Carmelo Anthony blasts Steve Kerr’s handling of Jayson Tatum at the Olympics

As Coach Kerr prepares to bow out from his role as coach, New York Knicks legend Carmelo Anthony has joined a million voices to speak up against how he handled the playing minutes of Jayson Tatum. His major concern as expressed on his podcast, 7PM in Brooklyn, was centered on the poor communication between both parties.

Carmelo Anthony said on his podcast:

I understand why Jayson Tatum may have not played. I don’t agree with how they went about it… I’m cool with you saying he’s not going to play. Just be honest. This is where we have a lack of communication. Carmelo Anthony on 7PM

JT was benched for two games as he saw the second-fewest minutes, 71 minutes, throughout the USA’s run to retain their crown at Paris. Although, it was expected that he wouldn’t feature as much as he did for the C’s as he wasn’t expected to dislodge either LeBron James or Steph Curry from the starting five.

However, with the departure of Coach Kerr and the retirement of King James, Tatum is expected to transition to the team’s leader, if he makes himself available for selection. JT will have to shift his focus to the upcoming season as he aims to help the defending champions win title number 20.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.