Things have really gone from zero to 100 quickly in the purported rivalry between longtime teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. For years, we saw the media and talking heads try to stir up drama between the two stars despite constant protests from both players. All they did was work hard, grow together, experience a ton of success, including winning a title together, and go about their business in a professional manner.
Still, the narrative never fully went away, as the two Celtics superstars continued improving and becoming bigger, brighter stars. Things seemed to die down when they finally got over the hump and won the title in 2024, but some made a sideshow of Brown sweeping the ECF and Finals MVP trophies.
Then Tatum got injured, and the team thrived under Brown, which ended with a 56-win campaign, a second-team All-NBA appearance for JB, and then, of course, Jaylen calling it his favorite year of his career; the one that Tatum mostly sat out with a torn Achilles.
After all of that, the trade went down and things picked up yet again. Both players took the high road in the media, preaching nothing but respect for each other, but the questions kept coming up. At his introductory presser, JB said the two hadn’t spoken since the trade. In a recent video for his documentary series, Tatum claimed he was as surprised as anyone by the trade.
Brown isn't ready to let go of animosity towards Tatum
Brown took to Instagram and commented a cap emoji on Tatum’s video, insinuating JT was lying about his lack of awareness or involvement in the deal. Tatum was asked about that on Friday and took the high road again, saying he has great respect for Brown, that there’s no beef between the two, that he called Jaylen when the trade happened, and would love to talk and hash everything out with his former running mate.
But then, after the Sixers’ win on Saturday night, Brown was asked about Tatum’s response and took a different route. He reignited the flames, saying repeatedly that JT has a great PR team. He said there isn’t beef, but there may be lamb chops and gravy (whatever that means), and made an odd comment that Tatum should “stay ready at all times”.
I have no idea what Brown was trying to say here. I’ve been a huge Brown guy forever. I was sad to see him go, and I totally understand his hard feelings over being traded so unceremoniously by the only team he had ever known. But what I don’t understand is this weird passive-aggressive anger towards Tatum.
Brown's grudge against Tatum seems completely misguided
Does he really think JT went and asked for JB to be traded? We have no history of Tatum ever getting involved in GM-type matters. He has said nothing but positive things about Brown after the trade, and it genuinely sounds like he has no ill will and would love to talk and get on the same page with a player he’ll forever be tied to in the record books and the annals of history.
But Brown doesn’t seem to want that, at least not yet. It’s fine that he’s angry, but his feelings should probably be directed at Brad Stevens and the front office. Instead, he’d rather play up a rivalry with Tatum, and that’s perfect for the hot-take media world we now live in. So, as long as JB clings to this, it’s not going anywhere.
We are going to keep hearing about this all season, and perhaps beyond. The fanfare when these teams finally play will be through the roof, and who knows where this could go from here? These two haven’t even played yet, and the NBA season isn’t even a week old. Buckle up. If you thought this saga and contrived drama were over, it’s just getting started.
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