It’s been about a month and a half since the Boston Celtics captured their record 18th NBA championship. Since then, it feels like we’ve seen nothing but dubious attempts from outsiders who are trying to create a rift in a team that is set up for long-term success.
Jayson Tatum has been the target of ridiculous criticism, Jaylen Brown was snubbed from the United States Olympic team, and then when Derrick White was named as the replacement for Kawhi Leonard, people just used that as a way to divide Boston’s set of stars.
You’d think that the Celtics finally getting over the hump would’ve sparked discourse about Tatum and Brown having the potential to become one of the greatest duos in league history, perhaps about the foresight Brad Stevens has had when building the roster, or even the growth of Joe Mazzulla.
Sure, those things have been pointed out on a local level. People like myself and other members of the blog are more than happy to discuss them.
On a larger national scale, no one has any interest in that.
Instead, talking heads have more interest in making up things to criticize Tatum for to try and cut him down.
During a recent episode of the “7 pm in Brooklyn” podcast, former NBA star Carmelo Anthony recently claimed that JT isn’t taken seriously as a face of the NBA because he lacks “aura.”
Carmelo Anthony on why people don’t see Jayson Tatum as the next face of the NBA:
“The reason why we put Anthony Edwards there is because of his aura. If Jayson Tatum had that aura, it’s over.”
Agree or disagree?
Via. @7PMinBrooklyn pic.twitter.com/TjzQH9Yksy
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) July 30, 2024
I mean, is this what we’re doing now?
Up until a few months ago, I’d never heard anyone use the word “aura” in a sports discussion. Now we’ve got former NBA players pointing to it as a reason why Tatum shouldn’t be held as highly as some of the league’s other stars.
Anthony’s comments made waves, so much so that Stephen A. Smith dedicated a segment of “The Stephen A. Smith Show” to further the discussion.
Tatum just led the world-champion Celtics in total points, rebounds, and assists throughout the playoffs and the national media is talking about the mythical measurement of aura and his benching in the Olympic opener.
Fans all over social media wasted no time getting off their “Tatum doesn’t belong on Team USA” takes, despite his solid play in the preliminary games.
He later came out and said he didn’t care about being benched and didn’t want to make the win about himself.
“It’s a unique situation, and it’s not about one individual player, competitor in you wants to play obviously, but I’m not here to make a story about myself,” Tatum said after Wednesday’s win against South Sudan. “You win a championship, new contract, NBA 2K25 cover, Sports Illustrated… so after all of this, it’s definitely a humbling experience.”
Tatum has been supportive of his Celtic teammates who are battling alongside him in Paris.
Jrue Holiday has been his usual reliable self, and White has become a favorite of basketball fans across the nation.
The Buffalo is seeing an increase in minutes due to his consistent play and ability to do whatever head coach Steve Kerr asks of him.
Is that the story?
Of course not.
ESPN’s Tim Legler managed to spin White’s playing time into a slight against Tatum.
Espn analyst Tim legler says that Steve Kerr benching Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum against Serbia today was incredibly disrespectful Derrick White got 15 mins and he’s a 5th option on the Celtics pic.twitter.com/qSH8kz0Znv
— joebuddenclips (@Chatnigga101) July 28, 2024
Another issue that simply doesn’t exist.
“Derrick, he has been booming, doing everything that he does, him being a plug and replace guy, you can put him in any system and he will know what to do,” Tatum praised.
Going into the games, Boston fans were fully aware of what White was capable of. Many hardcore NBA fans were as well.
Unfortunately, the story surrounding his selection wasn’t about how well he’d fit with the rest of the roster. It was about how upset Brown must be that his “role player” teammate was picked over him.
The narrative became so prominent that JB had to speak to reporters at Summer League in Las Vegas to clear the air.
“I called Derrick right away,” Brown told the media at the Thomas & Mack Center last month. “Just to make sure there’s no confusion, my love for you and all of that. He knew that, and he did. You don’t always gotta make everything public. Me and D-White are good.”
Boston’s stars answered every question that had been hovering over them for the past few years by winning their elusive 18th title. They passed the test, so the national media and fanbase have just decided to change the questions.
These guys get along.
They play the right way.
They’re all going to be around for a while.
No matter how hard those outside forces try, it’s going to be pretty tough to knock the Celtics off their path toward sustained success.
