Jayson Tatum laughably fights back on narrative that the Celtics are a super team

BOSTON — After Thursday evening’s embarrassing Sport 2 loss to the Cavaliers, Jayson Tatum lamented that the Celtics should not going to win each recreation. Whereas he is appropriate on that entrance, it is his feedback on how the Celtics should not 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 house this postseason following a 118-94 loss to the Cavs on Thursday evening. After a 64-18 common season, which included a 37-4 document at TD Backyard, the expectation was that the Celtics would not endure such embarrassing defeats on their house 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 recreation wasn’t going to occur. However after the loss, Tatum was requested if Boston followers have grown a bit spoiled as a result of group’s regular-season success. Tatum stated, in no unsure phrases, that he does not think about 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 just would possibly see on TV,” Tatum stated after the 24-point loss. “The concept that we have now 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 gas the Celtics extra. And actually, they should not be anxious about touchdown MVP or Coach of the Yr. Their focus must be on profitable a title, and never dropping by 20-plus factors on their house flooring.

“We all know we obtained an excellent group. We’re not excellent,” added Tatum, whose taking pictures struggles continued in Sport 2. “We play the proper approach as a rule. And we all know we have 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 evening Thursday, has grow to be one of the essential gamers on the group. And offseason acquisitions Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Vacation give Boston one of the proficient 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. They usually 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 approach of excusing losses like Thursday evening. That, in itself, is inexcuseable.

Know what would actually solidify the Celtics in that prime tier?  A championship. That, and never getting embarrassed on their house flooring within the playoffs. In that sense, Tatum is barely appropriate in his evaluation.

However it’s not one thing he must be saying after such a disappointing playoff loss.