A Summer of Change for Tatum and Brown
Over the summers, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown kept in touch primarily through text messages. They occasionally ran into each other between the playoffs and before training camp. Despite being teammates and colleagues, they were not close friends. The offseasons felt particularly short when playoff runs extended deep into June. Last summer, the Celtics suffered a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the conference finals. Tatum turned an ankle, and Brown was unable to pick up the slack, leading to a defeat that had the potential to tear the team apart.
With Brown's contract making the team more expensive, both stars sensed the urgency of the moment. The Celtics organization remained patient with them, unlike the often harsh fan and media criticisms. Recognizing the need to forge a closer bond, Brown suggested they work out together. Assistant coach Sam Cassell arranged these sessions, with trainer Drew Hanlen overseeing the workouts. Even Celtics legend Paul Pierce participated, lifting weights and providing guidance during their sessions. This increased commitment and collaboration led to one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history for the Celtics.
Overcoming Adversity
Tatum and Brown have always been both talented and skilled, but for them to succeed, the game needed to slow down. Comparisons were frequently made to iconic duos like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, but Tatum and Brown faced unique challenges. They dealt with ego issues, tough opponents, injuries, yet never lost faith in themselves or their abilities. To support the development of its young stars, the Celtics made significant changes. Brad Stevens transitioned from coaching to the role of president of basketball operations. Ime Udoka was hired and then fired as head coach, leading to Joe Mazzulla being promoted from assistant to head coach. Three veteran stars were brought in to provide mentorship, and the team leaned on Tatum and Brown as their primary leaders.
The Decision to Keep Them Together
Brad Stevens played a pivotal role in the Celtics' decision to build around Tatum and Brown. He endorsed drafting both players, declined numerous trade offers for big-name athletes, and frequently reassured Brown of the organization's commitment to him. Eventually, Stevens signed Brown to the largest contract in NBA history, which Brown used as motivation to elevate his game. During the playoffs, Brown delivered the best performance of his career, earning MVP honors in both the conference finals and the NBA Finals.
The Journey to Championship Glory
Tatum and Brown were undeterred by media criticism, focusing instead on their performance and growth. Tatum’s 6-year-old son Deuce became a symbol of his journey with the Celtics. After losing the 2022 Finals, Tatum leaned on Deuce for comfort and transformed his frustration into a rigorous focus on training and improving weaknesses in his game. His efforts paid off during the playoffs, where he demonstrated substantial improvement.
The narrative around Tatum and Brown often centered on their personal relationship, leading to debates about their ability to succeed together. However, their championship victory rendered such discussions moot. The Celtics enjoyed a remarkably successful season with minimal drama, thanks to the "growth mentality" instilled by Coach Mazzulla.
Key Quotes:
“We were always good and talented. The game needed to slow down.”
"Oh, they didn't win it. They can't play together. They should trade him."
"It's what it's all about. When we're all done in our time with the Celtics, as coaches and players, the only thing that will really matter is how we treated each other. Nothing else matters."
"I always felt for him in that regard. I think now I could have been better."
"You worry about how some people would handle that. Not Jaylen. He's a worker. He just wants to get better. He takes everything as motivation to improve."
"If you would have asked me that maybe a year ago, I would probably say yeah. But at the point I’ve reached now, it feels great. Any of the personal awards, it is what it is."
"I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together."
"He was born six weeks into the season, and I was scared. I was like, 'I don't want to roll over on him.'"
"He was as scared as I was, just like any father. No one is really ready to have a child while still living out their childhood dream. But I've seen him grow so much. He's really a great dad."
"It took being relentless."
"It took being on the other side of this and losing in the Finals, being at the lowest point in a basketball career, to next year, thinking that was going to be the time, and coming up short again."
'What do you remember about that series? Michael Jordan's pull-up clincher at the end of Game 6, right? But do you remember that they lost Game 1? Do you remember that he missed a game-winner? Do you remember he was 9-for-26 in a Game 5 loss? All you remember was the clinching pull-back game-winner.'
"To me, teams thrive when there's little drama and they're moving in one direction."
"You have to stay in long enough. That's how you grow."
In sum, Tatum and Brown have proven their worth and silenced their critics through dedication, improvement, and success. The Boston Celtics' faith in their abilities has been rewarded, culminating in a historic and triumphant season. As they continue to grow both individually and as a unit, the future looks even brighter for this dynamic duo and their team.