Celtics star Jayson Tatum still holds a strong desire to play with Jaylen Brown, he said on J.J. Redick’s podcast, The Old Man & The Three (Twitter link). The Celtics have faced questions over the last year or two about their ability to win with Tatum and Brown leading the way, but Tatum insisted that he and Brown are committed to making it work.
“I think we’re both still very far from our prime,” Tatum said as part of a larger quote. “And I think what people don’t understand is like, alright, if you want to break us up, the grass is not always greener. There’s not a lot of guys in the NBA like JB [Jaylen Brown].”
Tatum and Brown have combined to average 49.4 points per game this season. The duo has played five seasons together and has led Boston to a 34-26 record this year.
“I couldn’t imagine why you wouldn’t want to have two of the best players that are under 25 on your team,” Tatum continued. “And, yeah, there are certain rough patches, but we’ve won way more games together than we’ve lost.”
Here are some other notes from the Atlantic:
- During the same appearance on Redick’s podcast, Tatum discussed Marcus Smart‘s early-season criticism, adding that the Celtics are “past it now,” Brian Robb of MassLive.com writes. As we wrote in early November, Smart called out Brown and Tatum for not passing the ball more. “I wasn’t angry or mad or anything,” Tatum said. “I just waited to the next day. I saw Marcus at the facility and we sat down and talked. It was a great talk actually. We had some time to sleep. The adrenaline was gone from the game. He apologized for what he said and that was something he shouldn’t have said in the media and that they got his words mixed up. I didn’t take offense.”
- Raptors big man Precious Achiuwa is optimistic that his breakout is coming, Doug Smith of The Toronto Star writes. Achiuwa is in his first season with Toronto after being acquired in a sign-and-trade with Miami. “I want to be lethal,” Achiuwa said. “Being lethal on both sides of the ball game, both offense and defense. I think I have the physical abilities and God’s given abilities to evolve into that player.”
- Zach Lowe of ESPN.com (Insider-only) examines 10 noteworthy stories around the NBA, including Kyrie Irving‘s future with the Nets. Irving has only appeared in 14 games this season, averaging 24.1 points and 5.4 assists per contest. He holds a $36MM player option for next season.
Loving this diplomacy from Tatum! Even if it’s got little brown smelly bits and chunks of BS in it he is saying all the right things and honestly it goes a long way.
Celtics aren’t perfect, but they are headed in the right direction.
Once again I think our young star Jayson Tatum has a good head on his shoulders. Thanks parents!
What he says is sensible. Looks like he’s becoming a good, smart leader. Talked with Marcus Smart, didn’t jump to conclusions or get hot-headed. Can see he and Jaylen Brown are a good team which could go a long way. Not listening to the stupid speculation about breaking this great young duo up.
Go Celtics!
Smart Williams2 Brown and Tatum can win a championship
Smart was sooo right!
precious’ brothers gave him the abilities?(god’sgift & god’swill)
Bradley Beal is going to opt out. Him and Tatum are best friends since way way back.
Beal not only gets to link up with his mate but he will be on a team who historically is very successful, has a great staff and a solid roster.
Wizards know Beal is likely to opt out and will want something back for him in FA. If he wants to go to Boston they will 100% be wanting Jaylen Brown in return. Brown Kuzma and KP. It’ll then be about solving the point guard position and settling on a long term centre.
Rubio? Schroder? Sexton? Maybe a trade.. Coby White? Brogdan? Kemba? Rozier? Suggs/Anthony/Hampton?
As for centre they have some guys (Bryant Gafford and Carey) but you also have loads of options in FA. Cousins? Enes? Nurkic? Ibaka? Thompson? McGee? Whiteside? Drummond?
If they could put together a team of Schroder Brown Kuzma KP Drummond they could be fairly solid.
Brown > Beal.
But Washington thinks Beal > Brown.
So, not happening.
I think Boston thinks Beal is better and will pull the trigger. Washington if Beal opts out would jump at the chance to take Brown and think it’s a young downgrade with potential.
I don’t really have much of a preference, it depends on fit and what’s around them. I understand some have Brown better and some have Beal better. I think for the Celtics as constructed right now Beal makes them better.
Jaylen Brown born Oct. 1996 so 25; 6’6, 223
Bradley Beal born June 1993. so 28; 6’4, 207
I wouldn’t trade Jaylen Brown for Bradley Beal straight up. Jaylen is still developing, will improve both his handle & his passing. He’s also younger, taller and stronger and better on defense. He’s our Celtics guy! And loyalty still matters.
If Boston’s brain trust thinks Beal is better now or better going forward for the Celtics I’d lose respect for their judgement. But who knows. Go Celtics!
I think Beal would be better now and going forward for the next 3-5 seasons atleast.
Come next season
White Beal Tatum G Williams and R Williams
Off the bench Pritchard Smart Nesmith Theis and some new signings with Horford off the books.
Possibly add like a Joe Ingles and James Johnson. Some veterans that can play roles and be handy in the locker room.
About Al Horford. Why get him off the books?
Al is pulling down 7.5 rebounds a game this year, hands out 3.4 assists & many other ball moving passes, as we run a lot of the offense thru Al. He also blocks 1.3 shots a game and helps TimeLord make the Celtics a top rebounding team & shoots 84% from the line.
Besides his fine team play he’s going to make like $10 million less next year than this. Right now he’s core, well, in my view.
Cause he not worth 27mil. Simple as that. Give the Williams boys more minutes. He’s easily replaceable and yes he’s been solid this year but he what like 34/35 and your a fringe playoff side. Better to go young and in a new direction.
Next season the offence will run through Beal and Tatum with White the third option, Grant Williams on spacing and Rob doing his thing.
I’d rather Ingles, Johnson and some cap flexibility. Not to mention Daniel Theis is also on the roster aswell.
Stop! Al Horford makes $27.5 mill this year but is only guaranteed only $14.5 million next year. That’s a savings of $13 million!
And I like Grant Williams, Dan Theis & Derrick White but none of those three can replace Al or all he does for the Celtics.
Finally, we’re not trading Jaylen Brown! He’s better than Bradley Beal in almost every way.
I see you love to formulate trades but what you are suggesting would destroy our Celtics!
So leadership is talking about yourself in the third person and quelling a disillusioned teammate?— Tatum has to do a Lebron for that to work.
Getting Derrick White & team defense seem the keys, although the tunaround started a couple weeks before White, with Ainge ditching shot-lookers Shroder & Juan Hernangomez in trades.
Congrats in then getting White, who will produce without getting in the star’s way. Even rumors of White would have provided team optimism.
But according to Lowe, the groundwork of change was laid by a good plan…
“Udoka’s semi-radical decision to slot his shot-devouring center — Robert Williams III, Lord of Time — on wings away from the ball.
” The next-biggest Celtic — Al Horford in Boston’s starting five, sometimes Grant Williams, Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown in smaller looks — takes the other team’s main screen-setter, and switches everything.
“The idea is to build a forcefield around the paint by switching up top, with Robert Williams looming along the baseline ready to pounce. A happy side effect is sewing confusion in offenses…
“Boston is about to overtake the Golden State Warriors for No. 1 in defensive efficiency. Their starting five has allowed a bonkers 88.8 points per 100 possessions, allowing 29% on 3s against that group, per Second Spectrum.
“Only the Warriors allow fewer shots at the rim. And the Celtics have kicked their fouling habit.”
Celtics found a way to start two centers, and got Theis too. Al Horford is 18-7 since returning to start late December… but Lowe says they get busy without him too.
Ainge is in Utah now… Think you know that and mistyped..
Just don’t start Kyrie to Knicks rumors.
I feel sorry for whoever pays this guy max money.
Wasn’t too long ago. People were talking about the Celtics like they were done. Well they are 34-26 and 2 and 1/2 gms out of third place today. It’s Yogi all over again.
Celtic’s veteran Marcus Smart calling out our 2 young scoring stars seems to have been the turning point in the season. Both are passing a lot more, our assists have gone way up, we fans can see the ball moving and we’re winning.
Go Celtics!