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NBA talk: Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown are bleeding Boston Celtics green

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 02: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on February 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 02: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on February 02, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images) /
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It took half an NBA season, but three-time All-star forward Jayson Tatum is sounding like a leader as he and Jaylen Brown have the Boston Celtics back on the path of the NBA elite.

Though Brown was shafted as an All-Star selection this season, don’t get it twisted, both players have elevated their games and has the Celtics on fire at the All-Star break.

Ok, we’ll forget that brief hiccup against the Detroit Pistons, but prior to that the team was on a nine-game winning streak and destroying teams like the Philadelphia 76ers along the way.

While Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Al Horford and newcomer Derrick White deserve their praise, the play of both Tatum and Brown has proven that the young Celtics duo is capable of leading the team to NBA title contention.  They are also proving they can win together.

Jayson Tatum barks back at Boston Celtics non-believers

All those who want or think the team should trade one or the other, pull up your seats because Jayson Tatum has spoken on that matter.  Appearing on “The Old Man and the Three” podcast, the Boston Celtics star offered up some words that should have fans glimmering.

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"“The best things for his career, and mine, is being on the same team,” Tatum said, as transcribed by MassLive.  “Relatively the same age and position and pushing each other.  Just every day, in the games and in practice.  Working out together.  I think that’s been very beneficial for both of us.“I think what people don’t understand is, alright, if you want to break us up, the grass is not always greener.  There’s not a lot of guys in the NBA like JB.  Or if you want to get rid of me – not to toot my own horn – but I know I’m one of the best players.  I couldn’t imagine why you wouldn’t want two of the best players that are under 25 on your team.”"

Tatum is right when it comes to talent.  But that is what has added to the frustration surrounding this team over the past couple of seasons in which they have been inflamed in underachievement.

That underachievement trickled into the first half of the 2021-22 NBA season, but something happened that woke the team up and now they have risen from battling .500 to just a few games behind for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.  Due to the play of Tatum and Brown, they are also a favorite to win the whole thing.

Now, the question going forward is can they keep this up following the All-Star break? Also, can the leadership of Tatum and Brown at least get them back to the Eastern Conference Finals?

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It would be a hard and challenging task to get by a healthy Brooklyn Nets team led by Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and old friend Kyrie Irving of a 76ers squad led by Joel Embiid and James Harden, but let’s remember, an even younger version of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown took LeBron James to a seventh game in the ECF, so they know what they are capable of.

If they want to prove they are an unbreakable force, it’s time to take that next hurdle.  It’s time to make those same teams look at the Boston Celtics as the challenge in the East.

To be continued…

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