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

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

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

Although undeniably a compliment to Brown, who was a two-way force in Boston’s lopsided Game 1 triumph on Thursday, the suggestion casts an obvious shadow in Jayson Tatum’s direction.

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

But purposely providing fuel to a starting NBA player like Tatum It 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’s worth it for them.

The Celtics, in turn at the podium on Saturday, were asked to respond to Kidd’s statement. Tatum sped up the consultation as if he were Luka Doncic trying to defend him on the perimeter.

“No reaction,” 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 people, right? We all played an important role in getting to where we are and we understand that people try to drive a wedge between us.

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

Brown reached the podium before Tatum and similarly Euro sidestepped what Al Horford would suggest was a sneaky attempt to drum up conversation.

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

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 adding Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday this offseason, but they embraced it with the clear goal of getting an elusive title.

Now, three wins away from securing the franchise’s 18th pennant, the Jays have to deal with questions about a pecking order that this team has repeatedly suggested doesn’t matter.

If Kidd doesn’t view Tatum as one of the best players in the league, then his team sent some curious attention his way during Game 1. Yes, Tatum struggled with ball security, but, for the most part, he made the right decision, especially when fainting when drawing multiple defenders.

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

Tatum was also a threat on the defensive end, using his combination of size and length to prevent Dallas’ bigs from having any impact around the basket, as reflected in Doncic’s impossibly low assist finish for the game.

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

Tatum laughed before Game 1 when he was told he was probably the most scrutinized player in the NBA. In his calm way, Tatum continues to say all the right things while also suggesting he will happily accept all of this criticism if the season ends with Boston hoisting the trophy that will only validate how impactful he has been.

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

“We’ve talked about this before,” Tatum said. “In reality, we had to deal with this for a long time. I think it’s part of our maturation as men, right? and the low points, essentially, of the success we’ve had.

“There were positive things and negative things that came with it. We are not the first couple to go through this process and we will not be the last. main focus and focus on the work that lies ahead.”

Kidd is a master of diversions. He can accidentally spilled a glass of water to create a standstill in the game and no one is the wiser. Or maybe Saturday’s Tatum/Brown strategy was a little too obvious, yet again.

These are the Hail Marys you should throw when there appears to be an obvious talent discrepancy between the Finals combatants. Many teams tried to play the Celtics away. And they’ve been on vacation for a while now.

It’s hard to shake Tatum, especially given his laid-back approach. There is always a chance that, prompted by Kidd’s suggestion, he will be overly aggressive in Game 2 and lose track of his typical “make the right play” approach.

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

The best problem for the Celtics is that the discussion about their “best” player isn’t necessarily an obvious answer. Brown has been fantastic throughout this playoff run (and really throughout the 2023-24 season), operating with high efficiency on the offensive end and meeting every possible challenge on the defensive end. Tatum’s production wasn’t necessarily as high as previous seasons, in terms of scoring. But his overall impact was undeniable.

So the Celtics can add some Kristaps Porzingis, who was dominant in his first game back after a layoff of almost 40 days. Jrue Holiday, already a champion in this league, offers stellar defense and knows how to resolve a team when things get a little difficult (as they did in the third quarter of Game 1). Derrick White makes all the right plays.

The Celtics are three wins away from the title. Things won’t be as easy as they sometimes were in Game 1. The Celtics need to be ready to use all of 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 thinks he’s the best player on Boston’s roster. This team will achieve the goal that brings validation to the entire group.