Are the Jays Ready To Level-up?

Boston is a win away from the NBA Finals, a surge fueled in large part by the growth of their two young stars, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Are they ready for that all-important next step?

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Following Boston’s Game 5 win at Miami, Celtics star Jayson Tatum was at the podium, ready to speak to the media.

“Jaylen (Brown), how nice was it for…” said a reporter before Tatum interjected, “Jayson, Jayson, Jayson!”

It was indeed an embarrassing gaffe for the reporter.

But it was also an unintended reminder of just how intertwined their careers have been since becoming Boston Celtics.

And as the Celtics prepare for a potential series-clinching win tonight in Game 6, Boston would not be in this position if not for the growth of their two young All-stars who have blossomed into being among the top players in the NBA.

While much of the focus tonight will be on the success that Tatum and Brown have enjoyed in getting Boston to within a win of the NBA Finals, there’s a level of appreciation they have now that wasn’t necessarily as strong during their two previous trips (2018 and 2020) to the Eastern Conference finals.

The 2018 trip was the one that still stings to this day.

That year, Boston had a 3-2 series lead and lost 109-99 in Game 6 on the road and 87-79 in Game 7 at home to the LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers.

But Tatum, the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, is quick to acknowledge how not only is this a different team, but the role that he and Brown play now has also evolved.

At that time, Tatum was a talented rookie whose body and game had yet to fill out, as like they have now.

The 6-foot-9 Tatum made his third straight All-Star team this season and was recently named to the All-NBA First Team.

Brown, selected by Boston with the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft, was a role player in 2018 who was not looked upon to do much more than defend. And when he was open with the ball, he was encouraged to not hesitate when it came to taking open shots.

An All-Star just a couple of years ago, Brown is much more involved offensively now and is counted on most games to provide a comparable offensive lift to what Tatum brings to the floor.

Together, they have experienced both the trials and triumphs of playoff basketball.

“I’m a lot better,” Tatum said. “JB is. And we’ve been through those tough times.”

That is why they both understand how special it is to be in the position they are in tonight, knowing that this experience and opportunity to move on to the NBA Finals where Golden State awaits them, can not be taken for granted even though they know a loss tonight wouldn’t necessarily end their Finals quest.

“We can’t think that it’s over with,” Tatum said. “We need to go (into Game 6) like we’re down 3-2, with that sense of urgency that it’s a must-win game.”

The Celtics know all too well the level of desperation the Heat will likely play with tonight.

Boston was in a similar predicament in the second round against Milwaukee after losing Game 5 at home which put them in a 3-2 series deficit.

The Celtics rebounded with a 108-95 Game 6 win in Milwaukee and clinched the series in Game 7 at home with a 109-81 victory.

And if there’s one thing the Celtics have learned about the Miami Heat in this series, is that they will not cave in to defeat lightly.

“They’re not going to give up,” Tatum said. “This is not going to be easy. It’s going to be a challenge.”

But it is a challenge that the Celtics embrace, knowing a win tonight can cast out those playoff demons of past failures in the Eastern Conference finals and position them to achieve the ultimate goal - win an NBA championship.

“This is a great opportunity; leave everything on the floor,” Brown said of the team’s approach to tonight’s Game 6. “You don’t want any feelings of regret. We have an opportunity with this group that’s special. Let’s not take that for granted. Let’s come out on our home floor and play the best version of basketball we’ve played all season.”