There’s a somewhat perplexing phenomenon in terms of the way in which Celtics followers understand Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
In fact there are exceptions, however the majority of individuals I discuss ball with imagine the next are all true:
1) Jaylen Brown is a wonderful basketball participant, however Jayson Tatum is a fair higher all-around basketball participant.
2) Jaylen Brown had a terrific season final yr and took his sport to the subsequent stage because the clear-cut No. 1 choice.
3) Jayson Tatum appeared sharp in his return and is poised to have a monster season because the clear-cut No. 1 choice.
4) Whereas Paul George has his limitations, a wholesome Jayson Tatum and a wholesome Paul George pairing is extra harmful than simply Jaylen Brown by himself.
5) The Celtics will probably be worse this yr than they have been final yr.
Now wait a minute. If Tatum is best than Brown, and also you add George to the combo, wouldn’t that make this yr’s Celtics higher than final yr’s? Neglect the playoffs, when issues acquired wonky in opposition to a scorching 76ers staff. If the remainder of the staff could be very related, they usually additionally added Mitchell Robinson, wouldn’t this regular-season model theoretically be higher than final yr’s?
You’ll assume so, however most individuals don’t view it that means. That’s the place it will get attention-grabbing. Jaylen Brown is just like the ex-girlfriend you complain about if you’re relationship however miss when she’s gone. Celtics followers have all the time waffled on Brown from the beginning, and it took him leaving to appreciate simply how actually useful he was on and off the court docket.
Even with the Finals MVP, even with the monster yr and even with the parade of goodbyes, he’s nonetheless not as beloved as his fellow Jay. Why is that? A part of it stems from the truth that Tatum is extra reserved and doesn’t say something controversial. Brown speaks his thoughts, for higher or worse, and positive aspects some extra followers and extra critics within the course of.
Brown is a sophisticated, versatile and dynamic scorer and decided defender, however his playmaking abilities and talent to form your complete sport aren’t fairly as strong as Tatum’s. However wait a minute once more. They gained 56 video games final yr, and when Tatum got here again, they misplaced within the playoffs.
That’s true. That’s what occurred. However a part of it was as a result of Brown now not felt like “the man.” Brown was nonetheless the No. 1 scorer on the staff, however having Tatum again within the combine took away a few of the bravado that made him sparkle within the common season.
As soon as Brown acquired a style of the limelight, he didn’t need to give up it. He’s all the time wished to be the alpha, and the irony now could be that he’s considered one of 4 confirmed, ball-dominant playmakers on a star-studded roster.
Tatum, in the meantime, could have the chance to show that he, too, can orchestrate a dominant common season because the clear-cut, undisputed, No. 1 choice. He’ll have loads of assist, with George, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and extra, however for the primary time in his profession, it’s undeniably his staff.
He’s a genuinely unselfish individual, and I’m certain he was authentically rooting for the Celtics final yr from the sideline. On the identical time, there’s little question in my thoughts he yearned for an opportunity to function in Brown’s place. That’s simply human nature. Now, he has the chance.
Will probably be fascinating to observe how Tatum’s season on this position compares to Brown’s. Does he grow to be much more aggressive as a scorer, or does he learn these double groups higher than Brown and put up a career-high in assists? Does he flirt with triple-doubles some nights, take over within the clutch much more and surpass 2025-26 Brown’s sixth-place end within the Most Invaluable Participant race?
Evaluating them and pitting them in opposition to one another as teammates was foolish, and the fact is that it yielded far more friction and rigidity than was ever crucial. Calling it a poisonous work surroundings could be a stretch, however the motive it by no means fairly felt like a heat and fuzzy relationship is as a result of it wasn’t.
Now, it turns into an enchanting train. Is Tatum actually as outfitted for that position as all of us assume he’s? Will they miss Brown’s means to get you a bucket when you actually need one? Will Tatum’s sport evolve to reflect Brown’s? Will Brown’s sport with the 76ers evolve to reflect Tatum’s?
The questions prolong from there. Will Derrick White’s capturing percentages enhance with Tatum by his aspect to get him the rock? Will Neemias Queta grow to be much more deadly within the choose and roll with Tatum there to provoke? Will Baylor Scheierman, Hugo González and Sam Hauser house the ground even higher with Tatum taking part in the position of puppeteer?
Brown is an impressive participant, however Tatum has an opportunity to go away his imprint in his personal means. One thing tells me he gained’t squander it.
The regular-season matchups will probably be entertaining and doubtless carry extra spice than they should. But when they do find yourself assembly within the playoffs, buying and selling buckets in a charming rematch, that could possibly be some significantly gripping tv.
Nothing will replicate the great outdated days. No season will really feel fairly like 2024. However this season, like final yr, will add an intriguing new subplot. We’ve unsuccessfully tried to withstand evaluating them for thus lengthy. Now, we are able to lastly, earnestly, accomplish that.
