Brad Stevens believes it’s time for Boston Celtics superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to take their games to the next level.
Speaking to NBC Sports Boston, Stevens said he thinks that Tatum and Brown have always been leaders but are about to put their “signature” on the team “in every which way.”
Brad Stevens talks about how the Jays are stepping up as leaders now that Marcus Smart is gone@ZoandBertrand pic.twitter.com/iIVwKWYss6
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 20, 2023
Stevens admitted that Marcus Smart was a distinct and strong voice for the team for years and that Tatum and Brown often deferred to his judgment and leadership.
He said that Smart’s input is why the team is where it is today.
But Smart is now gone and the team wholly belongs to Tatum and Brown.
It is time for them to embrace their leadership roles even more and inspire the team in bigger ways.
They will lead by example, of course, and that alone could do a lot.
Last season, Tatum averaged 30.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists.
He was spoken of as one of the top players in the league and a possible MVP candidate for a while.
As for Brown, he produced 26.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 49.1% from the floor.
After a very busy summer with some new additions and a few tough losses, Tatum and Brown are in control of the team and its future.
They both seem up to the task.
There is a lot of talent in Boston, such as Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, Derrick White, Al Horford, and an increasingly deep bench.
The potential is there and another championship could be in reach.
The team just needs a pair of powerful and productive leaders to keep pushing things forward.
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