Current, former Celtics call out ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ for narrative about ‘tension’ between Tatum and Brown
"You will be judged for your crimes against the Celtics. What kind of take is this?" wrote Leon Powe.
A current and a former Celtic have taken to social media to push back on a narrative spun during a recent episodes of ESPN’s Get Up.
Alan Hahn, who hosts a radio show with former Jets linebacker Bart Scott, gave his take on the pressure Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are under during this postseason run.
“They’re under two different pressures. I think for Jayson Tatum, it’s the pressure to prove that he’s a winner and that’s been the question. For Jaylen Brown, it’s the pressure to prove that he is an equal, that he belongs among the elite mentioned among them.
“Like he said, I never win anything. I think for him, he believes ‘I belong up there with all these other names that everyone is talking about’. So, there’s two different pressures that they’re feeling. It’s not against each other, it’s just separate.”
Jay Williams, a former first round pick and current analyst, followed up by raising a question about who is the bigger star between Brown and Tatum.
“I don’t think we’ve ever seen two superstars so close and so similar in skillset ever, like sometimes you don’t know who is 1A,” Williams said. “Like you start questioning really who is 1A and that’s natural tension that exists between people. I don’t care.”
Former Celtic Leon Powe, who works with the team as a community ambassador, pushed back on the narrative.
“You will be judged for your crimes against the Celtics, What kind of take is this, Cs Nation President is on it, he’s already a winner,” Powe tweeted. “JB don’t have to prove a damn thing about being someone’s equal that’s in your mind. Don’t put us against each other for likes and reactions. We’re Cs Nation under the protection of their 2008 NBA champion, Judge Powe. On2TheNext.”
Celtics forward Oshae Brissett wasn’t a fan of the commentary either.
“Nah these guys have to be bored lool this is getting outta hand,” Brissett tweeted, with three laughing emojis.
Other media personalities, such as former ESPN columnist Bill Simmons, have also bashed the clip.
“Great segment Greeny,” Simmons wrote sarcastically. “That might get us a million views online. Let’s try to keep the Tatum vs. Brown storyline going heading into the Finals, Dave Roberts just texted me, he loves it!”
Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman pointed out that Tatum appeared to be happy for Brown when Brown won Eastern Conference Finals MVP.
“Looks to me like Jayson Tatum is smiling and plenty happy for Jaylen Brown,” Goodman tweeted. “Especially for someone who isn’t very demonstrative when it comes to anything besides Deuce and the officials.”
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