The Boston Celtics are a lucky team, given their roster construction.
A season after seeing how competing interests can tear asunder even some of the best-laid plans, the Celtics continue to reap the benefits of a high-chemistry roster.
The roster has managed to avoid the pratfalls of last season with a deep bond forged over the summer playing for Team USA, and that bond — and the character of the team’s rising young wing duo — has led the team to charge back into the contention picture in 2019-20.
It could have gone very differently when Jayson Tatum started to spread his wings this season, garnering the lion’s share of attention from fans and opposing teams alike.
It wouldn’t have been the first time jealousy had soured a good situation had Brown responded poorly to Tatum’s nascent superstardom and torrid performances after being named a first-time All-Star this February.
“Jaylen has done a great job of complimenting Jayson and vice versa all the way through their time together,” explained Boston head coach Brad Stevens at Tuesday’s post-practice media availability on the dynamic between the two wings.
“We’ve always thought those guys were going to be excellent complements as they grew together,” he added. “They both bring some similar strengths to the table, but also some unique ones.”
“And so, I always say when Tatum got named an All-Star, Tatum went to a different level. And when Jaylen didn’t get named an All-Star, Jaylen went to a different level, and that’s great response by both guys to different circumstances.”
It’s important to stress neither is done growing as a player, and probably haven’t even hit the start of their prime yet.
That the pair play so well together on the court — and get along so well off of it — is an outstanding sign for Boston. Having firmly committed themselves to building around this duo, it’s exactly the sort of chemistry you want to see.
That the team’s older players in veteran forward Gordon Hayward and point guard Kemba Walker compliment them so well can only bode well for the franchise’s 2020 title aspirations.
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