Kidd tries to create a distraction, Celtics simply focused on ‘best’ team

Kidd tries to create distraction, Celtics simply focused on ‘best’ team originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd chose to liven up an otherwise sleepy media session on an off Saturday by twice suggesting that Jaylen Brown is the best player on the Boston Celtics roster.

While it’s undeniably a compliment to Brown, who was a two-way force in Boston’s lopsided Game 1 victory on Thursday, the suggestion casts a clear shadow in Jayson Tatum’s direction.

If the goal was simply to distract everyone from his Mavericks’ woes and the uphill climb the team faces after how Game 1 played out, then we can somewhat understand Kidd’s attempt to stir up some drama.

But to purposely provide fuel for an All-NBA first teamer like Tatum seems like a risky roll of the dice at best. To quote the fictional Pepper Brooks: It’s a bold strategy, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off for them.

The Celtics, who took turns on stage Saturday, were asked to respond to Kidd’s statement. Tatum sped past the question as if it were Luka Doncic trying to defend him at the rim.

“No response,” Tatum said. ‘This is a team sport, right? We understand that. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have JB on our team, and we can say that about a lot of guys, right? We have all played a role in getting to where we are today, and we understand that people are trying to drive a wedge between us.

‘I think it’s a smart thing to do – or try. We’ve been in this position for years of guys trying to divide us and say one of us should be traded or one of us is better than the other. not our first time at the rodeo.”

Brown arrived on stage before Tatum and Euro also strode his way around in what Al Horford would suggest was a sneaky attempt to stir up banter.

“No response,” Brown said. Pressed on Kidd’s possible motivation, Brown added: “I don’t know. It’s a team game. We’re trying to focus on that. Everyone has their own opinion.”

The Celtics are in the position they are in because of the abundance of talent on their roster. Both Tatum and Brown were willing to sacrifice their counting stats after the offseason additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, but embraced it with the clear goal of capturing an elusive title.

Now, three wins away from securing the franchise’s 18th title, the Jays must deal with questions about a hierarchy that this team has repeatedly suggested doesn’t matter.

If Kidd doesn’t consider Tatum one of the best players in the league, his team sent a curious amount of attention his way during Game 1. Yes, Tatum struggled with ball security, but more often than not he made the right decision. , especially when fainting when attracting multiple defenders.

This postseason, Tatum is averaging 10.1 potential assists per game. That number rose to a game-high 14 potential assists in Game 1 against the Mavericks. Boston generated just five assists for 13 fewer points than those Tatum feeds, but the sheer number of potential helpers shows how often the attention he drew led to immediate searches for teammates.

Tatum also posed a threat to defenses, using his combination of size and length to prevent Dallas’ edge-running bigs from having any impact around the basket, as reflected in Doncic finishing with an impossibly low assist for the game.

Control is nothing new for Tatum this postseason. He entered the Finals leading the Celtics in points, rebounds and assists for the playoffs, but you’d never know it from all the talk about how it’s been a quiet postseason for him.

Tatum chuckled before Game 1 when he was told he was probably the most scrutinized player in the NBA. In his unflappable way, Tatum continues to say all the right things while suggesting he’ll be happy to take all that criticism in his stride when the season ends with Boston lifting the trophy, which will only confirm how impactful he’s been.

So Tatum wouldn’t take Kidd’s bait on Saturday. And he explained how he and Brown continue to deal with all the outside noise that tries to drive them apart forever (but probably only brings them closer together).

“We’ve had conversations about it before,” Tatum said. “In reality, we’ve been dealing with it for a long time. I think it’s part of maturing as men, right? Very, very young when we came into this league, and we just had to deal with all the ups and downs.” and downs from, essentially, the success that we’ve had.

“There’s been positive things and there’s also negative things that come with that. We’re not the first duo to go through that process, and we won’t be the last. So understanding that side of it, and just keeping the main thing important , and focus on the task at hand.”

Kidd is a master of diversion. He may accidentally spill a cup of water, interrupting the game, and no one will be the wiser. Or maybe Saturday’s Tatum/Brown trick was once again a little too obvious.

Those are the Hail Marys to throw when there seems to be a clear talent gap between the fighters in the Finals. Many teams have tried to mess it up against the Celtics. And they’ve been on vacation for a while.

It’s hard to upset Tatum, especially given his easygoing approach. There’s always a chance that, motivated by Kidd’s suggestion, he comes off as too aggressive in Game 2 and loses sight of his signature “make the right play” approach.

But the best players in NBA history always seem to find motivation in even the smallest slight. Kidd might have poked a bear when Tatum was already aware he could be even more efficient than in Game 1.

The, ahem, best problem for the Celtics is that the discussion about their “best” player isn’t necessarily an obvious answer. Brown has been fantastic during this playoff run (and really throughout the 2023-2024 season), operating very efficiently on the offensive end and meeting every possible challenge on the defensive end. Tatum’s output wasn’t necessarily as loud as previous seasons, in terms of scoring. But his overall impact was undeniable.

Then the Celtics can throw in a small Kristaps Porzingis, who was dominant in his first game back after a nearly 40-day layoff. Already a champion in this league, Jrue Holiday provides excellent defense and knows how to calm a team down when things get a little shaky (like in the third quarter of Game 1). Derrick White just makes the right plays.

The Celtics are three wins away from a title. It won’t be as easy as it was at times in Game 1. The Celtics need to be ready to use all their talent to differentiate themselves from the Mavs in this series.

But three more wins will confirm one thing: the Celtics are undeniably the best team in the NBA this year. And it doesn’t matter who anyone thinks is the best player on Boston’s roster. This team will achieve the goal that provides validation for the entire group.