The Boston Celtics played their first game of the season on Friday afternoon, earning a win over the Denver Nuggets. It was just Game 1 of the preseason, but Boston picked up a 107-103 victory. Al Horford didn’t play any minutes, but outside of that, all of the Celtics’ regular starters got some burn.
By the time the end of the game came around, none of Boston’s starters were in the game. Payton Pritchard led the game in scoring, and JD Davison and Drew Peterson helped close the win. However, while guys like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown didn’t get a ton of court time, they were still thrown in front of the media post-game.
But Brown wasn’t a huge fan of all the questions he got asked.
Jaylen Brown denies prowess of Jayson Tatum duo
Following their win, Brown was asked about him and Tatum as a duo. The reporter noted that most tandems have a “Batman” and a “Robin,” asking Brown what type of duo he and Tatum are. But rather than answering, Brown went a different route.
"The sport is played five-on-five," Brown said. "We need all of our teammates out there to contribute to help us be who they are. I think we've been able to accomplish a lot, but having great teammates as well has been able to help increase. The sport is played five-on-five. I know we like to highlight duos or individuals for their play, but I like to be a part of the team and uplift the team because that helps me be who I am."
From the moment Tatum and Brown took over as the two faces of the Celtics, there have been questions. Up until last season, when Boston won the 2024 NBA Championship, some wondered if they could win together at the highest level.
Both guys play a very similar position, and they constantly fell short in the postseason up until last year. But Brad Stevens and the Celtics never gave up on their star duo.
Last year, Tatum, Brown, and the rest of the Celtics put their individual goals aside in pursuit of a championship, and it all paid off. And that’s a testament to the point Brown made after their preseason win over the Nuggets.
Historically speaking, duos and trios are spoken about as the most important part of championships and dynasties. Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen. Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh.
But that’s not how the Celtics won the title last season.
Obviously, Tatum and Brown were the best players on the team. They led the way. But the Celtics won it all because of their incredible talent across the board. Guys like Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford were just as important in the grand scheme of things.
That’s why Brown’s comments ring so true for this group. It’s a five-on-five game. Not two-on-two.