Jalen Brunson hits the perfect note with Jayson Tatum assessment

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum.

Jayson Tatum is consistently being criticized by the media.

The five-time All-Star is the Boston Celtics' best player. He is currently leading them toward a championship, with his team needing one more win to overcome the Dallas Mavericks. Yet, even during the NBA Finals, Tatum has been criticized for a perceived lack of scoring.

He has been embracing a more complete role. He has emerged as Boston's best playmaker, rebounder and help defender. Throughout the three NBA Finals games, Tatum is averaging 21.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, shooting 35.9% from the field and 29.6% from deep.

It's those scoring numbers that are opening him up to the media. According to Jalen Brunson, Tatum's talent means he won't escape the negativity surrounding his contributions until he becomes an NBA Finals MVP.

"People want players to be perfect," Brunson said. "...He's helping his team win. They're one away. I understand that people have their jobs to do and things to say and whatever, but a lot of players, at least me, don't care about how they do it. It's just, 'Do we win?' ... I think for him to escape that narrative from the media ... they're not gonna stop until he wins a Finals MVP."

Brunson is right. Tatum is too talented for a championship victory to be enough. The media expects him to dominate en route to a ring. They expect him to be the unequivocal best player on the floor. Until he achieves that status as a Finals MVP, his name will remain a talking point.

In reality, those expectations are unfair. Tatum has shown maturity and a well-rounded skillset by allowing his teammates to thrive. Boston will likely falter if Tatum tries to take over games as the lead scorer. He is too important to the overall game plan. He can't go rogue in the search for individual greatness.

Boston could secure the 2024 NBA championship on Friday. Tatum is unlikely to care who wins the Finals MVP award. His focus has been on winning as a team. Still, whatever narratives the media wish to cook up about his performance, as long as Boston secures its crown, Tatum will have to be addressed as a champion, and that has to count for something.

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