Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd caught everyone’s attention when he made a comment about Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown at today’s NBA Finals media availability with his team down 0-1 after a 107-89 loss in Game 1 Thursday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!When asked about what makes going against Jaylen Brown, who had 22 points on 7-of-12 shooting, six rebounds, three steals and three blocks in Game 1, so challenging, Kidd had a sneaky remark right off the bat.
“Well, Jaylen is their best player,” Kidd said. “Just looking at what he does defensively, he picked up Luka (Doncic) full court. He got to the free-throw line. He did everything and that’s what your best player does.”
(Video via NBA TV)
"Well, Jaylen [Brown] is their best player.. He plays both both sides at a high rate.”
-HC Jason Kidd on what makes going up against Jaylen Brown so challenging pic.twitter.com/nEySEph3bf
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 8, 2024
This became the main talking point of the day when the Celtics spoke, as there has always seemed to be a clear consensus based on awards that Jayson Tatum is Boston’s best player.
Tatum, who drafted third overall by Boston in 2017, finished sixth in MVP voting this season and was named to the All-NBA First Team after averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists for the league-leading 64-18 Celtics. Meanwhile, Brown, who averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists, did not make an All-NBA Team this year.
Brown was drafted one year before Tatum also with the No. 3 overall pick by the Celtics. For his career, Brown has made three All-Star games (2021, 2023 and 2024) and was named to the All-NBA Second Team last year. In comparison, Tatum has a current streak of five-straight All-Star appearances (was the 2023 All-Star MVP) and was voted onto to the last three All-NBA First Teams and All-NBA Third Team in 2020. He has also finished top-6 in MVP voting the past three seasons, while Brown has never received any MVP votes.
Brown, as Kidd later pointed out, was named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP after the Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers on May 27, something that meant a lot to him given this lack of recognition throughout his career. Tatum won this award in 2022 when Boston advanced to the Finals before losing to the Golden State Warriors.
(Video via Bleacher Report)
“I wasn’t expecting it at all. I never win s—t.” ????
Jaylen Brown on winning ECF MVP pic.twitter.com/x3uXZzpDoR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 28, 2024
The Celtics always held true to this pairing of Tatum and Brown, despite the fact that they could have tried to get another big-name star, such as Kevin Durant, James Harden, Damian Lillard or several others, in return for Brown over the years.
Instead by keeping the two stars, Boston has made six of the last eight Eastern Conference finals by trying different pieces around the duo. Now, the Celtics have a historically good team this season with the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis as they search for their first NBA championship since 2008 and 18th in franchise history.
So what was Tatum’s reaction to Kidd’s comments?
“No reaction. This is a team sport,” Tatum said. “We understand that. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have JB (Brown) on our team. We could say that for a lot of guys. We’ve all played a part in getting to where we’re at.
“We understand that people try to drive a wedge in between us. Guess it’s a smart thing to do or try to do. But we’ve been in this position for many of years of guys trying to divide us and say that one of us should be traded, that one’s better than the other. This is not our first time at the rodeo.”
(Video via Bleacher Report, h/t NBA TV)
"We understand people try to drive a wedge between us … This is not our first time at the rodeo."
-Jayson Tatum on Jason Kidd saying Jaylen Brown is Boston’s best player ????
(via @NBATV) pic.twitter.com/I5QBAWdaV0
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 8, 2024
Brown did not have much to say when asked about what Kidd said.
“I don’t have no reaction,” Brown said.
When asked why he thought Kidd said this, Brown then added: “I don’t know. It’s a team game. We’re trying to focus on that. Everybody has their own opinions.”
(Video via WEEI’s Justin Turpin)
Jaylen Brown on Jason Kidd calling him the best player on the #Celtics
“I don’t have no reaction… it’s a team game… everyone has their own opinions.” pic.twitter.com/yNRUmwWhaT
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) June 8, 2024
Celtics 38-year-old, veteran big man Al Horford has been around long enough to see what Kidd is trying to do.
“Oh man, J-Kidd, man, I see what he’s doing,” Horford said. “Jaylen Brown is an unbelievable player and very special for us.”
(Video via Celtics CLNS’ Bobby Manning)
Al Horford’s reaction to Kidd calling Brown Boston’s best player. Stepped off the podium after and said: “Sneaky.” pic.twitter.com/FEbitnCmH9
— Bobby Manning (@RealBobManning) June 8, 2024
Even after Brown’s big Game 1 performance, Tatum, who had 16 points on 6-of-16 shooting and 11 rebounds, is still the odds-on favorite win Finals MVP. Tatum is +115 on FanDuel, while Brown is +250.
Game 2 between these two teams is tomorrow at 5 p.m. MST.
This seems like a clear ploy by Kidd to create some outside noise that will affect the Celtics. Will it pay off for the Mavericks or will the Celtics either use it as motivation or not let it get to them?
Celtics overwhelm Mavericks with 107-89 victory in Game 1 of NBA Finals
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
