A Summer of Change for Tatum and Brown
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown kept in touch over the summer, mostly via text messages. Occasionally, they would run into each other after the playoffs and before training camp. They were teammates and colleagues, but not necessarily close friends. The offseasons tended to feel short, especially when playoff runs were long.
Last summer, the Celtics suffered a heart-wrenching Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the conference finals. Tatum turned his ankle in that decisive game, and Brown couldn’t pick up the slack to carry the team. It was a loss that could have torn the team apart. Compounded by the fact that the team was about to get more expensive with Brown’s upcoming contract extension, both stars sensed the urgency.
The Celtics had shown patience with Tatum and Brown, something that can't be said for the fans and media. Driven by this realization, Brown took the initiative and called Tatum to suggest they work out together. Assistant coach Sam Cassell arranged the workouts, while trainer Drew Hanlen ran them. Boston legend Paul Pierce even joined to lift weights and oversee the workouts. This summer regimen helped Tatum and Brown push each other and cement a bond that carried through one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
Overcoming Adversity
Both Tatum and Brown have always been talented. However, their development required the game to slow down for them. Comparisons were often made to duos like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway. Despite struggles with ego issues, tough opponents, and injuries, their faith never wavered.
The Celtics made sweeping changes to provide the support Tatum and Brown needed. Brad Stevens transitioned from head coach to president of basketball operations. Ime Udoka was hired and then fired as head coach. Joe Mazzulla was initially brought in as an assistant and eventually promoted to head coach. The team also recruited three veteran stars to mentor them. The Celtics leaned into Tatum and Brown as the leaders of the team.
The Decision to Keep Them Together
Brad Stevens played a pivotal role in keeping Brown and Tatum together. He was responsible for drafting each of them and constructing a team around their talents. Over the years, he declined trades for several big-name players to maintain the core intact. Often, Stevens would reassure Brown of the organization’s commitment, which culminated in signing Brown to the largest contract in NBA history. This commitment motivated Brown to elevate his game, leading to the best basketball of his career in these playoffs. He went on to be named MVP of both the conference finals and the NBA Finals.
The Journey to Championship Glory
Tatum and Brown have been subjected to media criticisms but have wisely chosen to block them out. Tatum's 6-year-old son, Deuce, symbolizes his journey with the Celtics. Together, Tatum and Brown have weathered losses, sky-high expectations, and relentless media speculation. Deuce played a crucial role in helping Tatum recover emotionally after losing the 2022 Finals. This gave Tatum the focus to train rigorously and address weaknesses in his game. His performance saw significant improvement during the playoffs.
Much of their story involves their personal relationship as well. Amid debates about their ability to coexist, they proved they could win together, making those discussions irrelevant. The Celtics enjoyed a remarkably successful season with minimal drama. Coach Mazzulla advocated a growth mentality, encouraging continuous improvement.
Quotes and Reflections
"We were always good and talented. The game needed to slow down," Tatum remarked, reflecting on their journey. Commenting on prevalent media criticisms, Brown said, "Oh, they didn’t win it. They can’t play together. They should trade him." The bond between the players was deeply personal. "It's what it’s all about. When we’re all done with 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."
Stevens also offered insight into Brown’s development: "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." Brown, reflecting on his own growth, added, "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 coming up short again."
Ultimately, both players acknowledged the trials and tribulations they had to endure to get to where they are now. "To me, teams thrive when there’s little drama and they’re moving in one direction," Brown said, hinting at the team's cohesion. Their journey is a testament to resilience, hard work, and trust. As Tatum eloquently put it, "I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together."