"The criticism is stupid" - Brad Stevens calls out Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum detractors after finally winning NBA title

Brad Stevens refused to give up on the Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum tandem. He worked with them when he was the coach, and he built around the two when he transitioned to the front office. Despite trade rumors, he confirmed his belief in their partnership by giving Brown a five-year, $286.2 million deal in 2023.

Stevens’ conviction of keeping the two together has already paid off. The Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Finals because of their two franchise cornerstones. “JB” was the finals MVP and gladly shared the award with “JT,” reinforcing the relationship and leadership that are rare in two young superstars.

During the Celtics’ championship celebration, Brad Stevens was asked by Rachel Nichols about the journey of the “Jays.” Nichols pointed out the relentless criticism and how the duo merely kept working to achieve success. Stevens responded:

“I think the criticism’s stupid so I don’t care. Those two had achieved more than most 25 and 26-year-olds ever had. And the only reason they received scrutiny was because they were playing in late May and June.

“As a good friend of mine once said, ‘I’d rather be in the mix and have my guts ripped out than suck.’”

Boston’s president of basketball operations didn’t hold back. He has had a front-row ticket to the struggles, growth and success of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. The NBA Executive of the Year winner now has “champion” in his resume because of his faith in the team’s two stars.

The Celtics suffered heartbreaking losses over the past two years with Brown and Tatum as leaders. They wilted under pressure against the Golden State Warriors in 2022 and then vowed to be back. The following season, they couldn’t return to the NBA Finals after losing in seven games to the Miami Heat.

Brad Stevens was in the press conference when Jayson Tatum said that the 2024 championship against the Dallas Mavericks was a “second chance.” After years of almost making it, the Celtics finally made it to the top of the NBA again. Brown and Tatum had the biggest hands in that ascent.

---

Brad Stevens will have Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in Boston for years

The extension Brad Stevens gave Jaylen Brown will allow the NBA Finals MVP to stay in Boston until at least the 2028-29 season. Jayson Tatum will likely follow him with another megadeal, particularly after the Celtics’ 2024 championship. Tatum has a $37 million player option next season, but he is expected to sign an extension before the 2024-25 campaign ends.

At the very least, Stevens will have two of the most dynamic players in the NBA on his team for at least the next five years. The Boston Celtics will be a perennial title contenders as long as the two are healthy.

All Brad Stevens has to do is continue building around Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. He did it this year by adding Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. The executive has the luxury of sticking to that strategy as he already has proven winners as franchise cornerstones.