![Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown](https://brobible.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Jayson-Tatum1.jpg?w=650)
Getty Image / Dylan Buell
The Boston Celtics, led by star wings Jayson Tatum and Jalen Brown, just won the NBA Championship two months ago, their 18th in their illustrious history. But, the vibes since have not been great for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
“The Jays” as Celtics fans refer to them, have not had a smooth last two months since the championship, the kind of honeymoon period most stars who just won a championship get. Former NBA stars Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford are questioning if there isn’t a conspiracy against Tatum and Brown.
The Celtics dominated the playoffs, going 16-3 through the four rounds, proving as they had all year long that they were the best team in the league. But, Jaylen Brown was snubbed for teammate Derrick White when it came time to replace Kawhi Leonard on the Olympic team for Team USA, and Jayson Tatum mostly sat the bench in the team’s six games in France. In fact, there were games in which Tatum didn’t even get off the bench.
Neither of those things make any sense given the year they both had and the playoff chops they showed. Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford agree.
Take a listen.
Lou Williams and Jamal Crawford think that there’s a CONSPIRACY going on against the Jays:
“Jaylen Brown got left off the team, Tatum didn’t get any minutes, and the league keeps trying to split them up— I’ve never seen something like this”
— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) August 14, 2024
Lou Williams brings up a good point in that the media that covers the league have speculated over a trade splitting the pair up for years now even as the team got consistently close to winning the championship. Those rumors are going to die down now after they’ve won an NBA Championship together, but people like Lou Williams didn’t forget that.
The Olympic benching of Jayson Tatum was unexpected. While he was struggling to shoot, his versatility to be a small-ball 4 and a bigger 3 should’ve been very valuable for Team USA coach Steve Kerr. But, he mostly ignored Jayson Tatum.
At the end of the day, the Celtics will be favorites to win another NBA title, and that will be Jayson Tatum’s and Jaylen Brown’s ultimate goal. But, the treatment of those two has been strange for a while.