A Summer of Change for Tatum and Brown
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have always been more teammates than close friends, keeping their relationship professional and their interactions occasional. They kept in touch over the summers via text messages and would occasionally run into each other after the playoffs and before training camp. Offseasons tend to feel short when playoff runs are long, and last summer was no exception. The Celtics had lost a Game 7 to the Miami Heat in the conference finals. Tatum had turned an ankle, and Brown, despite his efforts, couldn't pick up the slack. It was a loss that could tear a team apart, especially with Brown's approaching contract adding financial strain to the roster.
Both stars sensed the urgency of the situation. The Celtics organization had shown patience with them, far more than the media and fans ever did. In an unprecedented move, Brown reached out to Tatum to suggest they train together during the off-season. Assistant coach Sam Cassell arranged the workouts, while trainer Drew Hanlen supervised their regimen. Celtics legend Paul Pierce even joined them, lifting weights and sitting in on their sessions. This summer became a transformative period for the duo, not just to hone their skills but to cement a bond that would carry them through one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
Overcoming Adversity
Tatum and Brown were always recognized as talented players. However, the game needed to slow down for them, a process that involved overcoming ego issues, tough opponents, and injuries. Comparisons were often made to other dynamic duos like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, but the challenge was unique for Tatum and Brown. The Celtics made wholesale changes to support them better. Brad Stevens transitioned from coach to president of basketball operations. Ime Udoka was hired as the head coach but was later fired. Joe Mazzulla was promoted from assistant to head coach, showing the organizational shift towards leaning into Tatum and Brown as leaders. Three veteran stars were brought in to mentor them, providing the support system they needed.”
The Decision to Keep Them Together
Much of the credit for keeping Tatum and Brown together goes to Brad Stevens. Stevens had signed off on drafting both players and methodically built the team around them. He declined several trade offers for big-name players over the years, often having to reassure Brown of the organization’s commitment to him. Such commitment was underlined by Stevens signing Brown to the largest contract in NBA history, a gesture that Brown used as motivation to improve. Brown showcased his best basketball during the playoffs, earning the MVP award for both the conference finals and finals.
The Journey to Championship Glory
Tatum and Brown were not impervious to media criticisms but chose to block them out. For Tatum, his 6-year-old son Deuce became a symbol of the ups and downs of his journey with the Celtics. From losing the 2022 Finals to relentless training in the off-season, Tatum worked hard to address weaknesses in his game. His improvement was evident in the playoffs, elevating his performance to new heights.
The personal relationship between Tatum and Brown often becomes a focal point in their narrative. Despite media speculation, they won together, rendering debates about their compatibility irrelevant. The Celtics' successful season was marked by minimal drama and a growth mentality emphasized by coach Joe Mazzulla. Quotes from the article illuminate their journey:
"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 with the Celtics, as coaches or players, all that will 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'd asked me a year ago, I would probably say yeah. But the point I've reached now feels great. Personal awards are what they are."
"I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together."
"He was born six weeks into the season, and I was scared. I didn't want to roll over on him."
"He was scared sh-- just like I was as a father. No one's ready to have a child while living out their childhood dream. But I've seen him grow so much. He's 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, being at the lowest point in a basketball career, to the next year thinking this was the time, only to come up short again."
"Now, to elevate yourself in a space that all your favorite players are in, everyone considered great or legendary, who have won championships. All the guys I looked up to won championships, multiple championships. Now I can walk into those rooms and be a part of that. It's a hell of a feeling. This is more -- I dreamed about it, but this is ten 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? He was 9-for-26 and a Game 5 loss. All you remember was the clinching pull-back game-winner."
"My big thing to him was, 'Hey, no one really cares about what you did game by game. All that 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."