For whatever reason, a certain subset of the NBA media tends to lean into framing the Boston Celtics stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum as potentially being at odds with one another. Or, at least, having the potential to become so despite a consistent lack of evidence of any such thing happening.
And this campaign is no different, with more than a few engaging in the click-hungry framing given Brown’s success in a season Tatum sat out injured for most of it, only to return and play at a surprisingly high level. Teammate Derrick White weighed in on his thoughts about such narratives during a recent interview by “Hoops Tonight” host Jason Timpf, saying, “I think the media always try to create narratives, and I think that’s just kind of an easy one for them to pick,” said the Colorado native. “It doesn’t really make much sense to me, because the two of them have had so much success.”
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“The Celtics have been in the Eastern Conference Finals damn near every year of their NBA careers, which does not happen,” he added.
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 09: Derrick White #9, Jayson Tatum #0, and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics huddle during the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 09, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
“Obviously, it’s tough to get over that final hurdle, but whatever the media wants to say has never really come into the locker room,” said White. “I think those two handle it really well. They’re completely different, but we make it work, and it’s been great to watch their development. Every year … they get better and better.”
“Teams probably tried to force them into a corner before, but now they’re playmaking and creating for others, and that’s stuff that takes time. They definitely put the work in, they want to get better, and they both do it on both sides of the court. So it’s a blessing to play with both of them.”
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Derrick White doesn’t get Brown-Tatum conflict narratives used by media