After a miraculous comeback against the Cs on Wednesday, the Milwaukee Bucks were looking to send their opponents home once and for all. Instead of falling flat, the Celtics rallied in Game 6 to produce a crucial victory and stave off elimination. Now, the series pivots to Game 7, in a winner-take-all match for the ages.
On Twitter, fans reacted to everything and gave praise to Jayson Tatum, who dropped 46 points and 9 rebounds.
Can’t call that The Tatum Game because he’s special and there’s going to be more. But man… that’s everything we ever wanted from the guy. And when they needed it the most.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 14, 2022
This was one of Jayson Tatum’s finest nights. What a way to respond.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnor) May 14, 2022
For as much as I give them shit I have to give credit to the @celtics . They did what they needed to do. Now anything can happen Sunday.
— Timmy G (@PtGisBACK) May 14, 2022
@jaytatum0 this that mentality you on every night ain’t no one stopping you. pic.twitter.com/tROx8X8m2v
— Ulysses S. Gr-Ant (@FlashColonvii) May 14, 2022
https://twitter.com/Neftuy/status/1525300882119790594
How Tatum carrying the Celtics pic.twitter.com/wBus3bdqMX
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 14, 2022
Wasn’t sure the Celtics would have that in them after that gut punch of a loss in Game 5. That was a really, really impressive bounce back.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) May 14, 2022
This is the biggest game of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s career to this point. Real championship hopes, best Celtics team in a decade.
Thing is, if they win, the next game will also be the biggest game of their career.
I’m here for it. No fanbase division tonight. pic.twitter.com/GTVFDaMz43
— HOOPS EMPIRE (@HoopsEmpire_) May 13, 2022
It was a true masterpiece for Tatum, who has been on the verge of superstardom for years. In the regular season, he averaged 26.9 points and 8 rebounds on 45% shooting. Now, he’s leading his Celtics as they head into a Game 7 against the defending Champions.
This is a turning point for the young forward, and he is set to come out of it as one of the best players in basketball, perhaps even better than Kevin Durant himself:
“What we are witnessing is Tatum and Brown and that group entering their prime,” said one NBA Scout on Tatum and Kevin Durant. “Whereas (Durant) is on the back end of the prime. Those guys are not chopped liver, man. I mean, I’ll tell you right now, obviously, I think most people think if you (evaluate) his career that Durant is a better player than (the 24-year-old) Tatum. I mean, if nothing else, it’s the track record. But if you gave me a choice of which one I would take from this point forward, it’s not even close to me… To me, if you’re watching the game and you didn’t know who these guys were, I’m not watching Durant (and saying), ‘That’s the best player on the floor.’ I’m not so sure Tatum’s not (the best).”
Game 7 is on Sunday, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. But, whatever happens in this series, the Celtics can rest easy knowing they have Tatum to lead them into the future. As a young star heading into the peak of his powers, we are seeing him take over in front of our very eyes. So long as Boston has him, they will have a chance to win.
This summer, it will be interesting to see what the team does to make their roster even better and help Tatum maximize his skills with players that best support his game.
If done right, this could be the beginning of a true dynasty for the Celtics.
