Celtics news: Jayson Tatum goes big on birthday; Bradley Beal rumors
No Jaylen Brown, no problem. The Boston Celtics continues to show they are the real deal with an impressive 120-107 victory over Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies Thursday night at TD Garden and they did it behind the 37-point performance of the birthday boy, Jayson Tatum.
While Morant was making highlights, Tatum was making buckets in leading his team to their 15th win in their last 18 games.
Tatum obviously didn’t do it alone against the No. 3 team in the Western Conference. He had some help as Al Horford stepped up offensive with 20 points, Marcus Smart dished the rock with 12 assists and Robert Williams continued to be a double-double machine.
Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum continue rise in the Eastern Conference
As the Celtics continue to play the type of team basketball that now has them 5th in the Eastern Conference, it is extra impressive to see the team doing it with one of their stars down and the other star taking over when he really needed to.
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In scoring 21 of those 37 points in the fourth quarter to really put the game away, the now 24-year-old Tatum is doing it with passion as he continues to show the league that he is one of the best players under the age of 25.
"“I think watching us now, we play with a lot more passion,” Tatum said following the game, via Celtics.com. “We just seem like we’re having a lot more fun.”"
As winning breeds confidence, the Celtics have indeed make basketball more fun and exciting to watch, especially when they are beating playoff caliber teams like the Grizzlies against dominant players like Morant, who had 38 points of his own.
Defense, moving the ball, inspired play from their top star, it was all on display in mauling the Grizzlies as Tatum and the Boston Celtics continue to rise and prove those increasing odds to win a title in 2022 is no joke.
Happy Birthday Jayson Tatum!
Celtics rumors: Bradley Beal leaning towards staying with Wizards
It’s fair to say Tatum would love to team up with his childhood buddy Bradley Beal in hopes he signs with the Celtics when he becomes a free agent this summer, however the Wizards All-Star is leaning on staying in Washington.
Beal, who has been out with injury, is eligible to sign a five-year, $246 million deal with his current team if he declines his player option, likes the direction the Wizards are going in. With a combination of young talent, the addition of Kristaps Porzingis and a coach in Wes Unseld Jr. who is emerging as a head coach, the only green Beal is eyeing is that of the money Washington will pay him.
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Sorry Jayson Tatum, but your homeboy seems committed on staying right where he is.
"“As crazy as this sounds, this is a blessing in disguise too,” Beal said of his injury, via ESPN. “Because I can see the team, I can see our young guys develop, I can see Coach [Unseld Jr.] continue to develop too. I can see us grow as a team. I don’t have to rush to a decision, I don’t have to rush to anything.”"
Although he like the path of where the team is headed, things can change for Beal and his mindset. Boston Celtics fans know quite well of how players have a change of heart. Kyrie Irving said he planned on re-signing before he changed his mind and followed Kevin Durant to Brooklyn.
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In this case, the Celtics may be better off if Beal wasn’t an option. The team has currently bought in and most importantly, Tatum and Jaylen Brown are on the path of transcending their overall games.
Maybe it’s fair to say Beal sees that also.