The bond between Boston Celtics co-stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown is tight, nonetheless, at NBA All-Star weekend that brotherhood got here to life.
Each Tatum and Brown made their fifth and third All-Star appearances respectively, however Tatum returned because the defending MVP after scoring a record-setting 55 factors in final season’s occasion. Whereas seated on the bench and watching Brown get to work on the ground, Tatum made a thoughtful request to Japanese Convention head coach Doc Rivers, which speaks volumes of the connection between Boston’s celebrity tandem.
“Tatum went to Doc Rivers and he’s like, ‘Give Jaylen my minutes, I wanna see him get MVP,’” The Ringer’s Invoice Simmons revealed on his podcast.
Brown completed with 36 factors, falling three shy of a group lead whereas Tatum added 20 factors. The 2 pitched in because the East scored an All-Star Sport-record 211 factors towards a convincing win over the Western Convention. Granted, practically no protection was performed all through all 4 quarters, nonetheless, that didn’t cease Brown from making a robust bid at MVP — which was awarded to Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (39 factors).
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Tatum’s suggestion is simply an instance of the general strategy Boston’s go-to star has expressed all through the season. With newcomers Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Vacation added to the beginning lineup’s combine, Tatum’s been on the forefront in establishing what’s been a strong group chemistry, prioritizing the win column above all else since Opening Night time.
Brown too has been no exception to that, even after signing an NBA-record $304 million contract to stay with the Celtics this previous offseason. Each Tatum and Brown have fallen a notch by way of scoring manufacturing compared to final season’s outputs, however it’s been a sacrifice that’s constantly paid its dividends.
Boston leads the NBA in wins (45) with simply 25 video games left to play, holding a 7.5-game lead over the No. 2-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers within the East.
