A Summer of Change for Tatum and Brown
Over the summers, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown kept in touch via text. Occasionally, they would run into each other after the playoffs and before training camp. They were teammates and colleagues, but not close friends. Offseasons tend to feel short when playoff runs are long, and last summer was no exception. The Celtics lost a Game 7 to the Miami Heat in the conference finals. Tatum turned an ankle, and Brown couldn't pick up the slack. It was a loss that could have torn the team apart.
With Brown's contract set to make the team more expensive, both stars sensed the urgency. The Celtics had been patient with them, unlike fans and the media. It was Brown who called Tatum, suggesting they work out together. Assistant coach Sam Cassell arranged the workouts, while trainer Drew Hanlen ran them. NBA legend Paul Pierce joined in, lifting weights and sitting in on their practices. This unique summer preparation allowed Tatum and Brown to push each other and cement a bond that carried through one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
Overcoming Adversity
Both players always possessed talent, but the game needed to slow down for them. Comparisons to dynamic duos like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway often put additional pressure on their young shoulders. They faced ego issues, tough opponents, and injuries, but never lost faith.
The Celtics made several changes to support Tatum and Brown. Brad Stevens transitioned from coach to president of basketball operations. Ime Udoka was hired and then fired as coach. Joe Mazzulla was brought in as an assistant and later promoted to head coach. Additionally, three veteran stars were recruited to mentor the young pair. The team leaned into Tatum and Brown as their leaders, navigating through adversity together.
The Decision to Keep Them Together
Brad Stevens played a pivotal role in keeping Brown and Tatum together. He had endorsed drafting both players and meticulously built the team around them. Stevens declined trades for several big-name players over the years, often reassuring Brown of the organization’s commitment to him. Most notably, Stevens signed Brown to the largest contract in NBA history, a move that Brown used as motivation to improve. His dedication paid off, as he played the best basketball of his career in these playoffs, earning MVP honors in both the conference finals and finals.
The Journey to Championship Glory
Throughout their journey, Tatum and Brown heard media criticisms but managed to block them out. Tatum's 6-year-old son, Deuce, has been a symbol of his journey with the Celtics. After losing the 2022 Finals, Deuce helped Tatum stay focused on training and addressing weaknesses in his game. Tatum's commitment led to significant improvement in the playoffs.
Their story is often intertwined with their personal relationship, and they have won together, making debates about their bond irrelevant. The Celtics had a highly successful season, marked by minimal drama. Head coach Joe Mazzulla emphasized the importance of a growth mentality, a philosophy that the team has embraced fully.
Quotes to Remember
"We were always good and talented. The game needed to slow down," reflected Tatum on their growth.
"Oh, they didn't win it. They can't play together. They should trade him," commented Stevens on the media narratives they had to overcome.
Reflecting on their collective journey, Tatum added, "It's what it's all about. 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."
Brad Stevens always had faith in Brown, stating, "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."
Tatum and Brown’s partnership has redefined success for the Celtics. Brown acknowledged their trust in one another: "I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together."
For Tatum, the presence of his son has been a grounding force in his career: "He was born six weeks into the season and I was scared. I was like, 'I don't want to roll over on him.'"
Paul Pierce appreciated Tatum's growth as a father, saying, "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."
Summarizing their journey, Brown stated, "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," added Brown.
The Celtics' story this season is one of commitment, growth, and overcoming adversity. "To me, teams thrive when there's little drama and they're moving in one direction," commented Mazzulla. "You have to stay in long enough. That's how you grow."
As the Celtics hang another banner, Tatum and Brown can finally say they did it together.