Patrick Beverley contradicts himself in bold claim regarding Celtics duo
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have tasted significant amounts of success during their tenure with the Boston Celtics. The two young wings have been to four Eastern Conference Finals together, making the NBA Finals on one occasion. For many around the league, Boston's two All-Stars are considered the ideal core to build a championship team around.
Tatum is an elite scorer with playmaking ability who can also defend and rebound at a high level. Brown is an explosive finisher who excels across all three levels. However, Philadelphia 76ers guard Patrick Beverley isn't a believer.
Speaking on a recent episode of the 'Pat Bev Podcast,' the combative guard brushed aside talk of Tatum and Brown being capable of bringing a championship to Boston.
"No," Beverley said when asked whether Tatum and Brown can win a championship together. "Too much of the same player, they don't complement each other enough."
However, Beverley quickly began to walk his comment back. When pressed on which star Boston should look to trade, Beverley began to scramble, contradicting himself in the process.
"You don't get rid of anything. You just add. A defensive point guard, a three-and-d guy. Add maybe shot blocking, a stretch five. But, they did it with [Kristaps] Porzingis. With Porzingis, you guys should be a lot better."
In Marcus Smart, Boston had a defensive-minded point guard throughout Tatum and Brown's tenure in Boston before trading him to the Memphis Grizzlies this summer. Al Horford's presence on the Celtics roster has also provided them with a stretch-five, while Robert Williams is an elite shot blocker —meaning Boston already has all the elements Beverley listed on their roster.
Beverley's comments are difficult to contextualize. Earlier in the offseason, there were rumblings that Beverley could potentially join the Celtics before he ended up going to their bitter rivals in Philadelphia. As such, Beverley's comments feel like something he has to say to appease his new fanbase. After all, Sixers fans aren't going to warm to a player who is actively praising the team that has continually knocked them out of the postseason in recent years.
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