Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum dismissed the narrative that his facet is a ‘tremendous workforce’ following Thursday’s gorgeous blowout loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in Recreation 2.
Because the odds-on championship favorites, Boston are essentially the most deeply scrutinised workforce within the NBA and with such an immense degree of expertise on the roster, losses can create a wild media frenzy.
No doubt, the Celtics have the strongest rotation of gamers within the league – headed by yearly MVP candidate Tatum alongside his All-NBA teammate Jaylen Brown, in addition to former All-Stars Jrue Vacation, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford.
Moreover, Derrick White was arguably arduous executed by to overlook out on a spot within the All-Star recreation earlier this yr – and this degree of depth carries the unrealistic expectation that Boston ought to dominate each time they step out onto the ground (which they’ve executed for many of the season).
Even the best sides over time have endured some embarrassing defeats and Thursday’s Recreation 2 was precisely that for the 17-time NBA champions, who now discover themselves below severe stress to reply in Recreation 3 on Saturday.
When chatting with reporters after the sport, Tatum fought again towards the suggestion that the Celtics are an excellent workforce by arguing that his facet haven’t been recognised as one within the awards ballots.
“I imply, that’s the narrative that you just may see on TV. The concept that now we have an excellent workforce – it’s twofold, proper? We didn’t have the Coach of the Yr, we didn’t have the MVP, we solely had two All-Stars. You say we’re an excellent workforce however we didn’t get awarded like we’re.
“We all know we obtained workforce. We’re not excellent. We play the appropriate approach as a rule. And we all know we’ve obtained to be higher.”
“We didn’t have MVP, we solely had two All-Stars… You say we’re an excellent workforce, however we didn’t get rewarded like we’re”
Jayson Tatum responds to considerations with the Celtics after their Recreation 2 loss. He says the Celtics aren’t excellent, however he’s assured they’ll reply pic.twitter.com/Ld57FU0WVc
— Celtics on NBC Sports activities Boston (@NBCSCeltics) Might 10, 2024
Porzingis stays on the sidelines with a calf pressure suffered in Recreation 4 towards Miami and Boston are working below the expectation that he won’t be accessible to face Cleveland – as a substitute specializing in a possible return within the Japanese Convention finals.
Fortunately for Boston, it’s a better of seven collection they usually have loads of time to proper their wrongs – simply as they did within the earlier spherical towards the Miami Warmth, the place they dropped Recreation 2 and closed out with three consecutive wins.
