Before this offseason, there was never really any substance to a rift between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The media had tried to drive a wedge between the two Boston stars for years, and if I had a dollar for every fake trade idea, hot take, and speculation that turned out to be a non-story, I’d be a very rich man.
But over the last few months, there were definitely a few incidents that raised some eyebrows, and then, after Brown was traded, he stated that he and JT hadn’t spoken; Tatum took what felt like a subtle jab at Brown at a camp; and suddenly, it seemed like there may be a real rivalry brewing between the long-time running mates.
On Thursday, Tatum went on Dan Patrick’s radio show and cleared some things up, expressing love for JB and putting to bed any idea that there’s any real animosity between the Jays that goes beyond the basketball court.
Tatum has nothing but love and respect for Brown
Tatum spoke about the many narratives and all the speculation, basically laughing it off and doing his best to kill off any drama for hot-take artists in the near future.
“For me, I love that guy. What we were able to accomplish together in nine years… you can’t talk about him without talking about me and vice versa. The success that we’ve had as just two young kids growing up in this league and really just pushing each other.”
“Unfortunately, the business of basketball is always going to play a part… It’s not a thing to be sad or upset about; it’s a thing to celebrate- what we were able to do. He’s a tremendous person and player. I’ve got nothing but respect and wish him the best as he moves forward.”
Tatum isn’t coming out and trying to claim that the two are best friends, nor did anyone think that. But he’s speaking glowingly of his former teammate as a person and player, showing love and respect. That’s all anyone should want or expect from JT, and as far as I’m concerned, this is pretty much the end of this.
Surely, the sports radio shows and gossip stations will find a way to pick this apart and keep pushing this rivalry upon the fans, eating up all the low-hanging fruit. And obviously, when the Celtics and 76ers play, it will be a big talking point, and everyone will want to see the two finally face off.
But beyond that, there just isn’t much here beyond what meets the eye and what JT described. You’ve got two great players who came into the league around the same time, spent nine years together, grew together, pushed each other, and had a hell of a lot of success.
Nothing lasts forever in the NBA
Kobe and Shaq didn’t last forever. Jordan and Pippen didn’t last forever. And neither did Tatum and Brown. And that’s okay. They will still go down as one of the most iconic duos in franchise history, and the banner they helped raise will hang forever. There’s no erasing what they accomplished together, and hopefully, they still have a lot more legacy to leave in the NBA.
But for now, Celtics fans should be ready to turn the page and move on to a new chapter for the franchise. Without Jaylen Brown. He’s not Tatum’s arch-nemesis or anything like that. But at least as long as he dons a Sixers uniform, he’s now the enemy in Boston. And that has nothing to do with Tatum, Brown, or anything that happened during his amazing 10 years in Boston.
Someday, when it’s all said and done, these two will be back together in TD Garden, I’m sure. Likely hugging, laughing it up, and celebrating their careers as they look up fondly at Banner 18 and remember the amazing run they shared, as #0 and #7 will hang in the rafters long after they’re both gone.
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