Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is fed up with one narrative that he has heard about his team during their current postseason run.
Mazzulla was asked on Friday about the relationship between his two top players, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. A reporter referenced the talk among analysts and talk show hosts that there is “tension” between Tatum and Brown because both superstars want to prove they are the most important player on the Celtics.
Mazzulla had a very fiery response.
“The whole thing about that really pisses me off and I think it’s unfair to both of them. I think it’s stupid that people have to use those two guys’ names and use information that they don’t know to create click bait so that they can stay relevant,” Mazzulla said. “It’s very unfair that those two get compared. They’re two completely different people and they’re two completely different players. They’re great teammates. They love each other and they go about winning and they go about their process in a different way. Why they always have to be lumped together, I think is unfair. People just use it for their own relativity.”
"The whole thing about that really pisses me off & I think it's unfair to both of them"
Joe Mazzulla has a strong response to the narrative about Jaylen Brown & Jayson Tatum's relationship pic.twitter.com/bEunyIDR2m
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) May 31, 2024
Most people would agree that Tatum is Boston’s best player overall. However, Brown is undoubtedly one of the top players in the NBA and has been outstanding for the Celtics in this year’s playoffs. Brown was named MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals, and he said in a postgame press conference that he was not expecting the award because he never wins anything.
Some ESPN personalities wondered if Brown’s comment was an indication that he is jealous of the recognition Tatum receives. Former NBA player Jay Williams said there is “natural tension” between teammates when you are wondering who the top dog is.
Even if Brown feels he does not get the recognition he deserves, Mazzulla insists that has not impacted Brown’s relationship with Tatum.
