Heading into the primary spherical match-up between the Celtics and the Warmth, there was an understanding that the expertise hole between the rosters meant the one method the Celtics would lose is that if the Warmth out-toughed the Celtics.
For a number of years now, the Celtics have confronted criticism for being the softer group – with final yr’s Jap Convention Finals loss being prime fodder for these critiques. Most just lately, in February, after a loss to the Lakers, Charles Barkley mentioned the Celtics weren’t “mentally robust” and subsequently, couldn’t win a championship. That declaration got here within the midst of a singular loss throughout what was a historically-dominant Celtics season — however was one this Celtics core has confronted again and again.
However what’s toughness?
Jayson Tatum grappled with the query in his postgame presser after the Celtics eradicated the Warmth in 5 video games.
“The world we stay in, there’s going to be one thing mistaken with each group,” Tatum mentioned. “That’s what they prefer to say. And you may see how proficient we’re and I believe it’s lazy, or straightforward to say, that groups can ‘out-tough’ us. I’ve by no means understood that.”
Jayson Tatum with some illuminating phrases on the idea of ‘toughness’:
“It is easy to say groups can out-tough us. I by no means understood what is the definition of robust? Having louder guys in your group? That shit do not make you robust. Everyone has their very own definition.” pic.twitter.com/PTIXTABIdI
— Noa Dalzell (@NoaDalzellNBA) Could 2, 2024
From a expertise standpoint, a Celtics roster headlined by Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Jrue Vacation, Kristaps Porzingis and Derrick White far overpowers Miami’s. Certain, Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, and Caleb Martin have been there earlier than, however younger, unproven gamers like Nikola Jovic and Jaime Jaquez Jr. had been enjoying substantial minutes with Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier each lacking the collection with accidents.
After a Sport 2 loss to Miami, the Celtics may have panicked and dropped a subsequent recreation to the Warmth. As a substitute, they blew out the Warmth for 3 consecutive video games, a response for the ages.
It’s not the primary time this core has responded with their backs towards the wall – in 2022, down 3-2 towards the Bucks, Jayson Tatum famously put the group on his again with a 46-point efficiency. Final season, after falling 3-2 to the Philadelphia 76ers, he hit a late-game barrage of three-pointers in Sport 6 and exploded for 51 factors in Sport 7. And positive, falling down 3-0 to the Warmth within the convention finals was a low of the Tatum-Brown period – however the response to pressure a Sport 7? Powerful, even when they didn’t in the end get the job achieved.
“What’s the definition of robust?” Tatum requested on the podium after the 118-84 defeat of Miami. “Having the louder guys in your group? Like that s#!% don’t make you robust. Everyone has their very own definition of what toughness is. Taking part in the correct method, displaying up daily to do your job with out complaining. I believe that’s being robust.”
Critiques of the Celtics toughness — and of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown specifically — received’t finish due to a first-round collection win. They possible received’t finish except the Celtics win the NBA Finals. However extinguishing the group that has eradicated them in two of the previous 5 seasons is an effective first step.
It’s not the primary time Tatum has touched on notion of “loudness.”
“I’m not going to be on the market leaping up and down screaming,” Tatum mentioned again in September. “That’s simply not my character. As a lot as individuals need to speak about it and need me to be that, I’m not altering who I’m. I lead in my very own method.”
If the Celtics can safe twelve extra wins, critics will need to revisit his poignant feedback on the definition of toughness.
