Jaylen Brown’s ‘Validation?’, Jayson Tatum’s return, and are the Celtics contenders?
Jaylen Brown earns an All-Star starting nod, but is “validation” really the right word? John Karalis of Celtics on SI digs into Brown’s evolution with the Boston Celtics, what this milestone means for the team’s dynamic with Jayson Tatum, and why the “Jayson vs. Jaylen” debate needs to end. The conversation spotlights Brown’s mentality, the chemistry with coach Joe Mazzulla, and how both stars position themselves for postseason success.
Attention turns to Jayson Tatum’s highly anticipated comeback, analyzing his latest on-court workout and the crucial steps remaining before his return. Can the Celtics truly contend for a championship without major moves, or will reinforcements at center be essential for a deep playoff push? Karalis breaks down the Eastern Conference landscape, possible trade scenarios involving players like Anfernee Simons and Sam Hauser, and what Brad Stevens might be “cooking” ahead of the NBA trade deadline.
0:00 Jaylen Brown All-Star Starter
8:00 Jayson Tatum’s Comeback Progress
14:30 Tatum Workout Breakdown & Return Timing
19:00 Celtics Playoff Contention Chances
24:00 Eastern Conference Path & Playoff Matchups
30:00 Trade Deadline Strategy & Roster Moves
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Locked On Celtics is a daily Boston Celtics podcast by Boston Sports Journal beat writer John Karalis. It’s an inside look at the C’s from a former professional basketball player who is at practices & games.
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26 Comments
💚☘☘☘
Jayson Tatum looks good I can't wait for him to be a part of this team and run ☘
Dr. J, Charlie Scott, George Gervin… from the only other team I ever followed, the Virginia Squires! No validation here, JB’s a badass!
Can’t wait for the day that Shams tweets: “Jayson Tatum has been medically cleared to resume all basketball activities..” 🔜
Thanks John ☘️🔒🐾
Your right we dont have to Pick one or the other!! But the reason why this is even in the air! Is because The media Always seems to PUt Tatum wayyyyy up on a pedestal and Dismissed Brown even WITh All his accomplishments!!! Like we LOVE TaTum Of course! But we been here since day one! We know what the deal was and is! Jalen was DRAFTED FIRST He WAS Competing FIRST in playoffs mind you…. This was HIS Team Before Tatums and Tatum Got Drafted and everyone Automatically acted like Tatum ISS THE GUY!
When Its Like waiiiit a min! If Tatum is THE GUy! It would have to mean That JB Allowed thT to be sooooo and NEVER Gets credit for that!
Poor little Dookie. I can’t man up and be a Celtic.
Now On Tatums Return…. WE DONt NEED HIm to play30 plus mins!! You can Play him off the bench with Simons and USE Him as The 5 spot!! There is the big depth we Needed at a HIGH Level
Tatum Can Come Back Play the Five and Play OFF the ball on Offense
catch and Shoot rebound Defense 20 mins a game
I also dont agree thts NOT what this team was Built for!!! Specially Listening To Brad stevens from the Jump! They are ALWAYS ALWAYS looking to compete for championships! Which means they are Always building a teamm for a championship
I think the whole this year is a wasted year is a media Narrative!! They were always looking to compete this year for a NBA Title
You had me at wearing the VA Squires tee. 😂
Maybe a surprise to you but was an easy large bet on over season wins for me. Not a fun bet an investment bet. You cover the team and maybe were too close to the situation.
It was incredibly obvious Tatum intended on being back this year and sooner rather than later. With the teams buy in.
The team was always 500+ without Tatum and he was coming back. What teams were obviously better than the Celtics either way TatumZ and spare me the 75% Tatum — he’s coming back healthy and rested after a month he is likely to be elite. It was never a complicated case.
Things could always go wrong but it was likely the Cs would compete in the east
No offense but the idea that this season is gravy is a horrible analysis ? Windows at this level are small and it’s rare to have your conference this weak. They can get lucky in a single series vs anyone. It’s not gravy in any sense that is so silly it is surprising to hear it given how much you know about professional basketball.
It’s the opportunity of a lifetime. Perhaps somewhat unexpected but not anything but a win now chance
Seems like realities of the second apron with two super max contracts confused you that the roster was not built to win. I’d argue it was.
Love your work
Yeah, you have most out here who are saying that Jayson doesn’t need to come back and just sit out for the rest of the year but to be honest, he has to come back and shake off the rust
I think this team as is could make it to the finals. They have shown they can compete and beat all the top teams in the east.
Conf finals?
Celtics have talent, experience, and great coaching. They are definitely contenders. They are 2 seed, and about to add one of the best players in the world
Tatum and Simons coming off the bench would be a ridiculous scoring punch.
If JB let's someone else guard Cade for a little bit he more then likely would have had the gas he needed. We were asking him to do too much, I understand he is our star but we should find ways to use him as a success ik he can guard cade need to throw other bodies at him so jb can be more fresh in the forth quarter
“You keep using that word” I. Montoya
Let Jaylen be Jaylen. Loving seeing him thrive.
Contender? Not without reliable White and Pritchard
We starting san over Tatum when he comes back? 😂😂. If it happens more than a game or 2 I'd be absolutely shocked….and concerned.
As is, they lose to Detroit in 7. Detroit’s physicality overwhelms us. Our 2-4 scorers are 6-4, 6-3 and 6-1
Not when you can't stop Tobias Harris in the mid range.