A Summer of Change for Tatum and Brown
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown maintained their connection over the summers primarily through text messages. Occasionally, they would run into each other between the playoffs and the start of training camp. Although they were teammates and colleagues, they never really developed a close friendship during those years.
Offseasons often felt fleeting, especially when the playoff runs extended deep into June. Last summer was particularly painful as the Celtics lost a Game 7 to the Miami Heat in the conference finals. Tatum turned his ankle during the series, and Brown struggled to compensate, culminating in a loss that had the potential to fracture the team.
With Brown's contract set to make the team more expensive, both stars sensed the urgency to step up. The Celtics organization had been patient with them, in stark contrast to the immediate criticisms from fans and media. It was Brown who took the initiative, calling Tatum to suggest they work out together. Assistant coach Sam Cassell arranged the workouts, and trainer Drew Hanlen ran them. Even Celtics legend Paul Pierce joined their sessions, lifting weights and offering guidance.
The result was a strengthened bond between Tatum and Brown, one that carried through into one of the most dominant seasons in Celtics history.
Overcoming Adversity
Tatum and Brown had always been talented, but they needed the game to slow down for them. They faced comparisons to other high-profile duos like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, along with their share of ego issues, tough opponents, and injuries. Despite these hurdles, they never lost faith.
The Celtics made significant changes to support their burgeoning stars. Brad Stevens transitioned from head coach to president of basketball operations. In a dramatic turn of events, the coaching position saw Ime Udoka hired and then fired, with Joe Mazzulla stepping up from assistant to head coach. Three veteran stars were brought in to provide mentorship, and the team leaned heavily on Tatum and Brown for leadership.
The Decision to Keep Them Together
Stevens played a crucial role in keeping Tatum and Brown together. He had signed off on drafting each of them, and subsequently built the team around them. Over the years, he declined trade offers for several big-name players, constantly reassuring Brown of the organization’s commitment to him. The pinnacle of this commitment was when Stevens signed Brown to the largest contract in NBA history.
Brown used this commitment as a powerful motivator, playing the best basketball of his career during these playoffs. His outstanding performance earned him the MVP titles of both the conference finals and the NBA finals.
The Journey to Championship Glory
Tatum and Brown were no strangers to media scrutiny and criticism, but they managed to block out the noise. Tatum’s 6-year-old son Deuce became a symbol of his journey with the Celtics. Both players had endured losses, high expectations, and rampant media speculation. After losing the 2022 Finals, Tatum found solace in his son's support and redoubled his focus on training and addressing weaknesses in his game. This renewed dedication paid off as he saw significant improvement in the playoffs.
Their story frequently touches on their evolving personal relationship. Winning a championship together silenced debates about their ability to coexist on the court. The Celtics had an exceptionally successful season with minimal drama, thanks to a team-wide growth mentality emphasized by Coach Mazzulla.
Quotes from the Journey
Reflecting on their growth, Tatum said, "We were always good and talented. The game needed to slow down." Addressing the media's doubts about their synergy, he remarked, "Oh, they didn't win it. They can't play together. They should trade him." He emphasized the importance of mutual respect, saying, "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."
Stevens added, "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." Meanwhile, Brown candidly admitted, "I don't ever win s---," highlighting how his perspective has shifted over time: "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."
Reflecting on their triumphant journey, Tatum shared, "I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together." He acknowledged the role Deuce played in his life, admitting, "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 appreciated Brown’s support as a fellow parent and teammate, "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."
In the end, Tatum’s reflection on their success encapsulated the essence of their journey: "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 greats 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."
Summing up the unnecessary media chatter about Tatum and Brown, Stevens concluded, "The whole Jayson-Jaylen discussion in the national media is laughable to all of us. 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.”