A Summer of Change for Tatum and Brown
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have spent several summers remaining in contact primarily through text messages. Occasionally, they would run into each other after the playoffs and before the commencement of training camp. While they were teammates and colleagues, they were not close friends. Offseasons tend to feel short when playoff runs extend deep into the postseason.
Last summer, the Celtics faced a heartbreaking loss in Game 7 to the Miami Heat in the conference finals. Tatum suffered a twisted ankle, and Brown couldn't pick up the slack. It was a defeat that had the potential to tear the team apart. Adding to the challenge, the team was going to become more expensive due to Brown's contract extension. Both stars sensed the urgency of the situation.
Despite the media and fans' impatience, the Celtics' organization had been relatively patient with Tatum and Brown. Recognizing the need for a stronger bond, Brown reached out to Tatum, suggesting they work out together. Assistant coach Sam Cassell arranged the workout sessions, while trainer Drew Hanlen ran them. Celtics legend Paul Pierce even joined in, lifting weights and participating in their workouts. This period of intense training helped the two stars push each other, ultimately cementing a bond that carried the Celtics through one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
Overcoming Adversity
Tatum and Brown have always been recognized for their exceptional talent. The game needed to slow down for them to fully realize their potential. The duo faced numerous challenges, including ego issues, tough opponents, and injuries, but they never lost faith. The Celtics made several significant organizational changes to better support their star players. Brad Stevens transitioned from head coach to president of basketball operations, while Ime Udoka was hired and subsequently fired as head coach. Joe Mazzulla was initially brought in as an assistant and later promoted to head coach.
In addition to these changes, three veteran stars were brought in to mentor Tatum and Brown. The team leaned heavily on them as leaders, fostering a culture that emphasized growth and resilience.
The Decision to Keep Them Together
Brad Stevens deserves substantial credit for keeping Tatum and Brown together. He played a crucial role in drafting both players and building the team around them. Throughout the years, Stevens declined several trade offers for big-name players, often reassuring Brown of the organization's unwavering commitment to him. This culminated in Stevens signing Brown to the largest contract in NBA history—a commitment that Brown used as motivation to elevate his game. The result? Brown played the best basketball of his career in these playoffs, earning MVP honors in both the conference finals and the finals.
The Journey to Championship Glory
Tatum and Brown have faced their fair share of media criticism, but they have become adept at blocking out the noise. Tatum's six-year-old son, Deuce, symbolizes his journey with the Celtics. Both on and off the court, Deuce has been a source of inspiration for Tatum. Following the 2022 Finals loss, Deuce helped his father refocus and address weaknesses in his game. The results were evident, as Tatum significantly improved his performance in the subsequent playoffs.
The personal relationship between Tatum and Brown has often been a topic of media speculation. However, their collective success has rendered such debates irrelevant. The Celtics enjoyed a highly successful season with minimal drama. Coach Mazzulla emphasizes a growth mentality, a philosophy that has resonated with the entire team.
Reflecting on their journey, Stevens remarked, “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.” Brown echoed this sentiment, “I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together.”
This sense of trust and resilience was crucial for Tatum and Brown to overcome past disappointments, including the experience of losing in the Finals. Brown noted, “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.”
Now, having reached the pinnacle of basketball success, Tatum and Brown can walk into any room with legends and uphold their status. Brown expressed the significance of this achievement, “Now, to elevate yourself in a space that all your favorite players are in, all the guys I looked up to won a championship. Now I can walk in those rooms and be a part of that. It’s a hell of a feeling.”
The Celtics’ season exemplified a team thriving in unison, devoid of drama, and driven by resilience. As Mazzulla aptly put it, “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.”
Indeed, for Tatum, Brown, and the Celtics, the journey has been challenging, but their persistence and unity have led them to championship glory.