A Summer of Change for Tatum and Brown
Last summer marked a pivotal change for Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. While the two had always kept in touch through text messages and occasional off-season encounters, their relationship remained largely professional. They were teammates and colleagues but not close friends. The offseasons felt fleeting, especially following long playoff runs.
After a heartbreaking Game 7 loss to the Miami Heat in the conference finals, where Tatum turned an ankle and Brown couldn't step up enough, the Celtics faced a challenging offseason. The team was on the verge of becoming more expensive with Brown's new contract, bringing a sense of urgency to both stars.
Recognizing the need to strengthen their bond, Brown reached out to Tatum, suggesting they work out together. Assistant coach Sam Cassell arranged the workouts, overseen by trainer Drew Hanlen, with Paul Pierce joining in on the weightlifting sessions and helping at workouts. This joint effort pushed both players to new limits and solidified their bond, contributing to one of the most dominant seasons in NBA history.
Overcoming Adversity
While Tatum and Brown were undeniably talented, they needed the game to slow down for them. Comparisons to other star duos like Shaquille O'Neal and Penny Hardaway were common. Both faced ego issues, tough opponents, and injuries but never lost faith. To support their growth, the Celtics made significant organizational changes.
Brad Stevens transitioned from head coach to president of basketball operations, Ime Udoka was hired and then fired as coach, and Joe Mazzulla was promoted from assistant to head coach. The team also brought in three veteran stars to mentor Tatum and Brown, emphasizing their roles as leaders.
The Decision to Keep Them Together
At the heart of this transformation was Brad Stevens. He was instrumental in drafting both players and consistently resisted trade offers for high-profile players, keeping the core of Tatum and Brown intact. Stevens’ faith in Brown was evident when he signed him to the largest contract in NBA history, a move that Brown used as motivation to enhance his performance. The results were spectacular, with Brown playing the best basketball of his career and earning MVP honors for both the conference finals and the NBA Finals.
The Journey to Championship Glory
Throughout their journey, Tatum and Brown faced media scrutiny and high expectations. Tatum’s 6-year-old son, Deuce, became a symbol of his journey with the Celtics, providing comfort and inspiration after the team's loss in the 2022 Finals. Tatum dedicated himself to improving his game, and his hard work paid off with significant playoff performance enhancements.
The personal relationship between Tatum and Brown often intersected with their professional success. As they won together, debates about their compatibility became irrelevant. The Celtics' highly successful and drama-free season showcased the growth mindset instilled by coach Mazzulla.
Quotes and Reflections
As Tatum and Brown reflected on their journey, several quotes encapsulated their experiences:
“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, as players, all that's going to 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 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."
"I trusted him. He trusted me. And we did it together."
"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 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."
“You're damn right I am."
"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 to a space where all your favorite players and everyone considered great or legendary have won a championship, and all the guys I looked up to have multiple championships. Now I can walk in those rooms and be a part of that. It's a hell of a feeling. I dreamed about what it would be like, but this is 10 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? Do you remember? He was 9-for-26 in a Game 5 loss. All you remember was the game, the clinching pull-back game winner."
"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."