A Summer of Change for Tatum and Brown
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown maintained sporadic contact every summer, exchanging texts to stay in touch. Occasionally, they would bump into each other between playoff rounds and before the new training camp began. Although they were teammates and colleagues, they were not close friends. Their offseasons felt especially short when their playoff runs extended deep into the postseason. The previous summer saw the Celtics fall to the Miami Heat in a Game 7 of the conference finals. Tatum was hindered by a sprained ankle, and Brown struggled to shoulder the additional burden. It was a loss that could have torn the team apart, especially with Brown's impending contract adding to the team's financial strain. Yet, both stars sensed the urgency of the situation.
The Celtics organization had shown patience with Tatum and Brown, contrasting with the impatience of fans and media. Recognizing the need for unity, Brown took the initiative to call Tatum and suggest they work out together. Assistant coach Sam Cassell arranged the workouts, with trainer Drew Hanlen overseeing them. Boston legend Paul Pierce even joined them, lifting weights and participating in their sessions. This summer proved transformative as they pushed each other to new heights, cementing a bond that carried them through one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
Overcoming Adversity
Tatum and Brown always possessed talent and skill, but the game needed to slow down for them to realize their full potential. Comparisons were often made to legendary duos like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway. Throughout their journey, they faced ego issues, stiff competition, and injuries, but never did their faith waver. The Celtics made sweeping changes to support them, transitioning Brad Stevens from head coach to president of basketball operations, hiring and subsequently firing Ime Udoka, and promoting Joe Mazzulla from assistant to head coach. The addition of three veteran stars also provided invaluable mentorship.
The organization fully leaned into Tatum and Brown as leaders. Despite facing numerous challenges, including media speculation and criticism, they remained committed to their growth and each other. This dedication was evident as their performances reached new heights.
The Decision to Keep Them Together
Brad Stevens played a crucial role in keeping Tatum and Brown together. Having authorized the drafting of each player, Stevens built the team around them, rejecting multiple trade offers for big-name players over the years. He consistently reassured Brown of the organization’s commitment, culminating in signing Brown to the largest contract in NBA history. This show of confidence became a source of motivation for Brown, who played the best basketball of his career during these playoffs, ultimately being named MVP of the conference finals and finals.
The Journey to Championship Glory
Throughout their career, Tatum and Brown endured media criticisms but learned to block them out. Tatum’s six-year-old son, Deuce, symbolizes his journey with the Celtics. Together, Tatum and Brown navigated through losses, high expectations, and endless media speculation. After losing the 2022 Finals, Tatum found solace in Deuce and focused on addressing weaknesses in his game. His improvement during the playoffs was significant.
Their story often intertwines personal growth and professional dedication. The debates about their relationship became moot as they achieved the ultimate goal together. Their highly successful season was marked by minimal drama, with head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasizing a growth mentality.
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, as players, all that's going to really matter is how we treated each other. Nothing else matters."
"I always felt for him in that regard. I think now that maybe 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."
"I don't ever win s---."
"If you would have asked me that maybe a year ago, I would probably say yeah. But just at the point I got to right 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 scared s----, just like I was as a father. No one's ready to have a child when they're still living out their childhood dream. But I've seen him grow so much. He's really a great dad."
"You're damn right I am."
"It took being relentless."
"It took being on the other side of this and losing in the Finals and being at literally the lowest point in a basketball career that you could be, to next year, to the following year, thinking that was going to be the time, and come up short again.
"Now, to elevate yourself in a space that, you know, all your favorite players are in, everybody that they consider great or legends have won a championship, and all of the guys I looked up to won a championship, multiple championships. Now I can, like, walk in those rooms and be a part of that. It's a hell of a feeling. This is more -- I dreamed about what it would be like, but this is 10 times better."
"The whole Jayson-Jaylen discussion in the national media is laughable to all of us."
"I don't have the time to give a f---."
"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 game, the clinching pull-back game-winner."
"My big thing to him was, 'Hey, no one really cares what you did game by game. All that really matters is if you hang a banner.'"
"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."