Boston Celtics’ guard, Jrue Holiday got into the debate about who’s better between Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown by agreeing with Jason Kidd, who named Brown as the No. 1 option on the team. After Holiday’s comments were misinterpreted, the 2021 NBA Champion clarified what he meant after the Celtics Game 2 win.
“I wanna address the comment that was made yesterday. I feel like people took that out of context and I’m hearing that I prefer JB over Jayson. That isn’t the case. I like to praise my teammates when they’re playing well… Both of them know how I feel about them as players.”
Holiday had glowing praise for both Brown and Tatum.
“To compare them is something I’d never do because they’re two completely different players. As well as being on the same team, the things they’ve done for this organization, and the things they’ve done against me as an opponent. How they play together is sacred, and something that can’t be broken… I don’t prefer one or the other, I prefer both, because both of them are superstars.”
"People took that out of context, and I've been hearing that I prefer JB over JT"
Jrue Holiday clarifies his comment yesterday when he said Jason Kidd wasn't lying when he called Jaylen Brown the Celtics' best player. Jrue says he wouldn't take one over the other. pic.twitter.com/vyoT1LsvcY
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) June 10, 2024
Holiday was the catalyst behind the Celtics’ Game 2 win over the Mavericks, putting up 26 points and 11 rebounds in the 105-98 win. Brown put up 21 points with seven assists and three steals, while Tatum put up 18 points on dreadful shooting (27.3 FG%) but had nine rebounds and 12 assists in an all-around performance.
Brown won Eastern Conference Finals MVP in the last round and is currently on track to win the Finals MVP ahead of Tatum if the Celtics win this series. Unless Tatum has some magical offensive performances he can unlock in the next two games, the narrative around Brown being the true superstar on the Celtics could get stronger.
Jason Kidd Tried Sowing Seeds Of Conflict
Tatum and Brown were drafted one season apart and it’s always been a debate over which one is better. Tatum seemed to have taken that crown in the last three seasons, but Brown has been a more consistent playoff riser in both their runs to the NBA Finals. As a result, Kidd tried sowing conflict between the two by referring to Brown as Boston’s best player.
“Well, Jaylen [Brown] is their best player, so just looking at what he does defensively. Picked up Luka full-court, he got to the free-throw line,” said Kidd. “That’s what your best player does. Just understand that he plays both sides, defense and offense at a high rate and he’s been doing that the whole playoffs. When you talk about the Eastern Conference MVP, just continue to pick up where you left off.”
Holiday reacted to the comments by saying he doesn’t think Kidd is lying, but nowhere did he explicitly refer to Brown as better than Tatum.
“This is the first I’m hearing it, but I mean, I don’t think he’s lying. I think JB has been, he’s been aggressive in every single way. He’s been getting to the paint, getting to the free throw line, also making plays for other people, and then he’s guarding Luka, he’s guarding the best player.”
Brown is averaging 24.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists through the 2024 NBA Playoffs while Tatum is averaging 24.9 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. If the Celtics finish this series off with their 2-0 lead, it’ll be interesting to see which one of the two will be awarded Finals MVP.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
