BOSTON — After Thursday night time’s embarrassing Sport 2 loss to the Cavaliers, Jayson Tatum lamented that the Celtics will not be going to win each sport. Whereas he is right on that entrance, it is his feedback on how the Celtics will not be one of many NBA’s “tremendous groups” that ought to have followers rolling their eyes because the Boston celebrity.
The Celtics dropped to 3-2 at dwelling this postseason following a 118-94 loss to the Cavs on Thursday night time. After a 64-18 common season, which included a 37-4 report at TD Backyard, the expectation was that the Celtics would not endure such embarrassing defeats on their dwelling flooring. However they’re already as much as two this postseason, and we’re solely two video games into the second spherical.
Once more, profitable each sport wasn’t going to occur. However after the loss, Tatum was requested if Boston followers have grown a bit spoiled because of the group’s regular-season success. Tatum stated, in no unsure phrases, that he would not contemplate the Celtics a “tremendous group” as a result of they have not been acknowledged as one league-wide.
“I imply, that is the narrative that you simply would possibly see on TV,” Tatum stated after the 24-point loss. “The concept now we have a brilliant group — it is twofold, proper? We did not have the Coach of the Yr, we did not have the MVP, we solely had two All-Stars. You say we’re a brilliant group however we did not get awarded like we’re.”
That ought to simply gasoline the Celtics extra. And actually, they should not be frightened about touchdown MVP or Coach of the Yr. Their focus ought to be on profitable a title, and never dropping by 20-plus factors on their dwelling flooring.
“We all know we received a very good group. We’re not good,” added Tatum, whose capturing struggles continued in Sport 2. “We play the appropriate method as a rule. And we all know we have got to be higher.”
The Celtics have all of the makings of a “tremendous group.” Tatum and Jaylen Brown — each of whom are homegrown — are two of the brightest younger stars within the league. Derrick White, regardless of a tough night time Thursday, has turn out to be probably the most vital gamers on the group. And offseason acquisitions Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Vacation give Boston probably the most gifted and gifted beginning fives within the NBA.
Although not in the identical sense because the LeBron-Wade-Bosh Miami Warmth of yesteryear, the Celtics are very a lot a brilliant group. And so they do not want NBA accolades to show it. They know this — or they ought to know this.
Saying they are not a brilliant group looks as if a roundabout method of excusing losses like Thursday night time. That, in itself, is inexcuseable.
Know what would actually solidify the Celtics in that high tier? A championship. That, and never getting embarrassed on their dwelling flooring within the playoffs. In that sense, Tatum is barely right in his evaluation.
Nevertheless it’s not one thing he ought to be saying after such a disappointing playoff loss.