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It has been a rough season for the Boston Celtics, but despite the challenges, the team is still going to make the playoffs as a No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference, thanks in large part to Kyrie Irving’s exploits and the head coaching genius of Brad Stevens. With Irving now done for the rest of the season, much of the Celtics’ title hopes rest on the shoulders of the young tandem of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who were immensely praised by Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant on Wednesday, via Ryan Ward of ClutchPoints.
Kobe Bryant on Jayson Tatum: As far as Jayson Tatum, his game is really well flushed out. Great midrange game, he can post up. He can finish at the rim. He handles the ball very well. He can shoot the long ball. (1/2)" #Celtics
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 11, 2018
Kobe Bryant on Jayson Tatum (2/2): "I think there’s still little itty-bitty things that he’ll need to develop as his game progresses, defenses tend to double him more to catch up to him." #Celtics
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 11, 2018
Tatum, who was last year’s third overall pick in the NBA Draft, has quickly blossomed into a terrific talent for the Celtics. Ahead of Thursday’s season finale against the Brooklyn Nets at home, the former Duke Blue Devil is averaging 13.9 points on 47.5 field goal percentage with a 43.4 percent mark from behind the arc. Kobe Bryant, however, is more enamored with Tatum’s dedication to defense, an integral part of the Celtics’ success this season.
Kobe Bryant on Jayson Tatum: "By & large, I love what I’m seeing from him, especially on the defensive end. Most young players coming nowadays just want to do the cute stuff." #Celtics
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 11, 2018
Kobe also has the same praises for Jaylen Brown, who was drafted a year earlier than Tatum, but has also shown quick improvement. On the season, Brown is averaging 14.5 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. He has also been a force to reckon with on defense because of his versatility.
Kobe Bryant on Jayson Tatum & Jalen Brown: "He [Tatum] seems to be the kind of player that doesn’t mind getting dirty and being physical & playing hard at both ends of the floor.
"Jalen Brown is like that, too. I think very highly of Jalen Brown, too." #Celtics
— Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) April 11, 2018
Tatum, Brown, and the Celtics need all those positive qualities that Bryant mentioned in the playoffs, where their fate will be decided mostly on how well the two youngsters will perform.
