If it hasn’t been set in stone, it should be noted that Jayson Tatum is a superstar, and he is the leader of Boston’s new super team.
No need for LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, or even James Harden. Give me Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Al Horford, Marcus Smart, and Robert Williams as a super squad. And give me a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Sunday’s 109-81 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 ensured that the Men in Green would play for a berth in the NBA Finals. Their opponent? The Miami Heat.
Jayson Tatum reaches superstar status as Boston Celtics reach ECF
The Boston Celtics have every reason to feel like a super team, not a superteam. What’s the difference? Cohesion, comradery, and control. All Cs that were on full display by Ime Udoka’s troops, who ensured that there would be a new champion in the NBA at the end of this season.
Grant Williams’ team-leading 27 points in Game 7 were a sight to behold. It marked his highest point total of the series since his 21 in Game 3, a 109-86 victory. Jaylen Brown finished the game with 19 points as well.
Tatum’s 23 were good enough for second on the team, yet six rebounds and eight assists tell the whole story. A story that had a glorious chapter in Game 6 when Tatum dropped 46 to avoid elimination.
Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo finished with 25 points in the loss and Jrue Holiday pitched in with 21 points, but the Bucks were outmatched from the second quarter onward as Tatum and Brown began to take over.
Not exactly the best way for Mike Budenholzer’s crew to go out, but sometimes, the fortunes favor others. Also, when Payton Pritchard comes off the bench for Boston and drops 14, including four threes, it’s so hard to withstand such ferocity.
It’s hard to imagine that Tatum was taken third overall in the 2017 NBA Draft behind Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball. While Ball has found a groove in Chicago, Fultz has been a massive disappointment.
The same can be said for Brown, who was also taken third back in 2016 behind Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram. Simmons and Ingram are solid players, but the money belongs to Brown, given a choice.
Now, No. 0 and No. 7 have their team just four wins away from the NBA Finals. They know what happened the last time they were in this position, and they lost to the very team they are set to face this year. But now, Boston has a chance to undo the damage and secure a spot for a chance to win the franchise’s 18th title.
The good news is, if they play as they played in the latter half of Game 7, there is a good chance Boston will bring home some new hardware. Then again, that’s why you play the game.
Regardless, there is no more debate about whether or not Jayson Tatum is a superstar. Don’t try calling into WEEI or any radio/television network trying to argue otherwise unless it’s out of pettiness and jealousy, which seems to be the norm these days with hot takes.
The Eastern Conference Finals are up next, with Game 1 on Tuesday as Boston travels to Miami. The game is set to tip off at 8:30 ET.