Jayson Tatum hit again at former journeyman Brandon Jennings who named the All-NBA ahead ‘the softest Celtics celebrity in historical past’.
Fairly the assertion from Jennings, contemplating ‘smooth’ gamers often don’t lead their staff in factors, rebounds and assists on the way in which to an NBA championship (the one others to take action are Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Hakeem Olajuwon and Larry Hen).
To not point out an extremely embellished profession on the age of simply 26 which incorporates 5 All-Star honors, three straight All-NBA First Group alternatives and he leads the way in which in all-time playoff factors earlier than the age of 27.
Jennings, whose profession spotlight is an All-Rookie First Group choice in 2010, hardly qualifies to critique the sport or character of a participant like Tatum – however that’s new age media for you.
On a podcast hosted by former All-Star Gilbert Arenas, who impressed Tatum himself to put on the quantity zero when he entered the league, Jennings made a collection of controversial remarks:
“Is [Tatum] the softest Boston Celtics celebrity ever? Why didn’t he get Finals MVP final yr? Why did you let your working mate do it, in the event you’re so robust?
“I feel I’ll be extra afraid of Jaylen Brown than Jayson Tatum.”
NBA groups in all probability really feel in any other case, contemplating Tatum averages 28.1 factors a recreation to Brown’s 23.9 and offers higher rebounding and assists in addition to a better effectivity from three and the sphere.
However hey, Brandon Jennings mentioned he’s smooth.
Tatum responded with an Instagram put up on Wednesday together with a caption that learn: “SoFtesT SuPeRstar in CeLtiC HiStoRy.”
Tatum grew to become first participant to not win Finals MVP when main staff in factors, rebounds, assists
With out discrediting Brown’s excellent playoff run, it’s value noting that Tatum grew to become the primary participant in league historical past to steer their staff in scoring, rebounds and assists and never win the Finals MVP award.
Loads of all-time greats like Steph Curry (2016), Larry Hen (1981), Kevin Garnett (2008), Kobe Bryant (2000-02) and Tim Duncan (2007 and 2014) didn’t find yourself profitable the award regardless of having a robust case.
The reality is, a staff has a significantly better likelihood of profitable a championship if multiple participant is in competition for the award.
Following Tatum’s standout efficiency in Recreation 5 of the NBA Finals the place he closed the collection out with 31 factors, eight rebounds and 11 assists, he was the odds-on favourite to win Finals MVP nevertheless it surprisingly went the opposite method.
As per the perfect on-line sportsbooks, the Celtics are the present title favorites to turn out to be the primary back-to-back champions for the reason that Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018.
In an interview earlier than the beginning of the 2024-25 season, Tatum mentioned he is aware of he’ll win Finals MVP someday and if the Celtics proceed on this path there’s no motive to counsel he gained’t get one other likelihood.
“It simply wasn’t my time… Steph Curry acquired 4 rings & he solely has 1. Isiah Thomas, Larry Hen didn’t win Finals MVP each time… For me, I used to be glad for [Jaylen Brown]… I do know that I’m gonna win Finals MVP someday”
—Jayson Tatum
(by way of @JaredSGreenberg)pic.twitter.com/0QiJBu0qSE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 25, 2024
