Derrick White perfectly dismissed nonsensical concern about Jayson Tatum's return

Ever since the rumblings of a potential Jayson Tatum return began this season, the ESPNs and Fox Sports of the world have hyped up the imaginary “Jayson Tatum vs. Jaylen Brown” rivalry.

The Boston Celtics community, of course, rejects the argument altogether. Fans are sick and tired of outsiders trying to drive a wedge between the team’s two stars. Derrick White spoke for all of them on the most recent episode of his White Noise podcast.

“Like, they were just in the Conference Finals,” White said of the duo’s early success in Boston. “JT’s rookie year, JB’s second year, Conference Finals. Ever since I’ve been there, Conference Finals. You’re right there, so you’ve seen them enough, but they’re not getting over the hump. So they’re like, ‘oh, you have to break them up.’”

Of course, the Celtics didn’t break the duo up. Instead, they’re hoping to push for a second NBA title with the current nucleus.

“I think that’s just like the media just trying to [stir the pot],” White added. “Then now it’s like ‘Whose team is it?’ Who’s 1a, [who’s 1b]?’ They do a good job of not listening to it. There’s times where it’s annoying for them. For me, it doesn’t really bother me, as long as we’re winning, I don’t care who 1a/1b is.”

There's no world where both Tatum and Brown playing at a high-level would hurt the Celtics

That’s the truth -- well spoken to represent everyone who cares about or follows the Celtics. Fans are happy to be able to support a team with two great players leading the way. They couldn’t care less about which one is “better.”

The national media has been trying to twist the fact that Brown is playing at an All-NBA level this season into a bad thing. They act like because he’s taken his game to new heights that he and Tatum won’t be able to co-exist on the floor.

Want to know when Brown’s previous best-stretch of basketball came?

When he was helping the Celtics climb to their 18th NBA championship. 

Brown won Finals MVP and Eastern Conference Finals MVP back in 2024, when he averaged 23.9 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game on 51.6% shooting. The Celtics didn’t have any issues then. Everyone involved, including Tatum, was more than happy to sacrifice for the greater good of the team. 

Why would this time be any different?

If anything, the chatter should be centered around Brown being more well-equipped to alleviate the pressure opposing defenses throw at Tatum, and Tatum’s presence doing the same for him.

Good things are happening in Boston and people simply do not know what to do with themselves.