Since starting the NBA Finals, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has faced significant criticism for his low-scoring performances. This scrutiny has not sat well with Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla, who recently defended his favorite player by drawing a comparison to Brazilian soccer star Neymar.
During an interview on Tuesday afternoon, ahead of Wednesday’s Game 3 of the NBA Finals, Mazzulla’s frustration with the media’s pressure on Tatum became evident. He asked a Brazilian reporter which soccer star receives the most media pressure. When the reporter identified Neymar, Mazzulla seized the opportunity to make a point.
“I agree. I would say the same thing for Tatum,” Mazzulla said.
Throughout the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Tatum has averaged an impressive 24.9 points per game. However, his scoring has dipped significantly in the Finals, with just 16 points in Game 1 and 18 in Game 2.
Jason Kidd Praises Jayson Tatum as One of the World’s Best Players
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd recently made headlines by endorsing Jaylen Brown as the Celtics’ best player. While this sparked debate and drew attention to Jayson Tatum, Kidd praised Tatum’s abilities during a Tuesday interview.
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“He’s one of the best players in the world, so you’re trying just to make it tough. That’s all you can do. Hopefully, guard the first move, the second, and the third move and contest. Guys are doing that at a high rate and just trying to make it tough on him,” Kidd said.
Kidd’s comments come amid widespread criticism of Tatum’s performance in the NBA Finals. Despite the scrutiny, Tatum has shifted his focus to playmaking, responding to the pressure with a team-leading 12 assists in Game 2.
The Celtics are on the cusp of making history, aiming for their record 18th championship. The dynamic duo of Tatum and Brown, often called the “Two Jays,” is at the heart of this pursuit.
