Rather than congratulating the Boston Celtics for bringing home Banner 18, the speech The events surrounding the team this summer have been full of drama, and the U.S. men’s basketball team was at the center of it all.
Jaylen Brown failed to make the roster, even when Kawhi Leonard was sent home. Derrick White was named the backup. As for Jayson Tatum, he was benched entirely in two of the team’s six games. And in the others, head coach Steve Kerr gave him virtually no playing time.
Tatum maintained a team-oriented approach Throughout the summer, he and Brown will now head into next season hoping to bring Boston another title. And Brown has confidence in his teammate’s ability to move forward.
During a recent interview with NBC Sports Bay Area, Brown said Tatum will be fine. (H/t NESN’s Gio Rivera)
“I don’t have much comment. I don’t have any comment at this point… Jayson’s going to be fine. Jayson Tatum’s going to be fine. We’re going to be fine.”
– Jaylen Brown talks about Jayson Tatum
I have no comment at this time… Jayson Tatum will be fine, we will be fine.
Jaylen Brown talks about Jayson Tatum getting DNPs during the Olympics. 👀
(via: @NBCSAuthentic) pic.twitter.com/toPbuGaYaO
— Swish Kingdom (@SwishRealm) August 21, 2024
In his four appearances at the 2024 Olympics, Tatum averaged 5.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists while shooting 38.1 percent from the field and 0 of 4 from three-point range. He played 17.7 minutes per game.
Sixteen years after winning their 17th title in franchise history, the Celtics have won another one, but they’re not done yet. Led by Tatum, Brown, Joe Mazzulla and the rest of the team, the only thing in their sights now is Banner 19.
While Tatum and Brown aren’t the type to directly criticize others or publicly air their frustrations, they’ll undoubtedly use this summer’s drama as fuel moving forward. Whether it’s Tatum dominating Kerr’s Golden State Warriors or Brown taking it upon himself to prove Grant Hill wrong, the Celtics will have a huge grudge against them.
The rest of the Eastern Conference strengthened in hopes of competing with Boston. The New York Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges and the Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George.
The Celtics, however, have kept the same roster as last season, almost to the letter. Aside from Svi Mykhailiuk and Oshae Brissett, replaced by rookies Baylor Scheierman and Anton Watson, Boston will have exactly the same roster as last year.
And with Tatum and Brown determined to lead the way, they’re in a great position.
