If the Celtics weren’t having a 7-6 record in the last 13 games, every question asked to Joe Mazzulla could’ve been a straightforward, boring one. However, that’s not the case as Kristaps Porzingis commenting on the team’s recent shortcomings created an awkward situation in the locker room. Jayson Tatum was already dealing with external criticism about being soft, and the public call-out from teammates did not make things any easier. Ahead of the Cs game against the Magic, JT wasn’t available to answer what he’s been going through recently but his buddy Jrue Holiday was present. And the veteran made sure to defuse the situation with his statement.

When asked about Tatum’s reaction to Brendon Jennings’ recent comments, Jrue didn’t deny the possibility of the effect on Tatum. “I guess it is an option. I guess all that was kind of did (affect) Jason so you might want to ask him,” Jrue said. He further explained how Tatum has been targeted by opponents in the recent games. From getting shouted at to getting dunked on, everything showed a clear sign of Tatum getting frustrated with the noise around. “It wasn’t I guess that big of a deal, but you can take it personally and get angry or you can stay consistent and try to do what you’re supposed to do on the court and do the best way you can,” Jrue added with a bit of advice from himself too to combat the situation.

Not only did Holiday stand by Tatum, but he also addressed comments made by Porzingis, following the 110-97 loss to the Raptors. In a locker room interview, the big man criticized the team by stating, “I think we played with no spirit, with no personality.” The Celtics set the bar incredibly high with their performance last season. Unfortunately, they’ve struggled to maintain the same level of consistency this time. So, a reaction like Porzingis’ is somewhat expected. However, Holiday handled the situation with his remarkable patience and maturity.

“I think sometimes you just go few times like this where it’s a rough patch,” the veteran guard explained, acknowledging the inevitable ups and downs of a long season. “Last year I don’t really think we did so it’s probably a bit different.” However, Holiday remained optimistic, emphasizing the importance of unity within the Celtics, “I think as a team we stayed together we stayed collective and it’s all we have to do is try to push.”

The push is certainly needed as the Celtics find themselves sitting uncomfortably in second place in the East with a 28-12 record. Maintaining a positive mental state free from negativity is also crucial, but reaching the top of the pyramid certainly comes with its challenges. Besides the critics, Jayson Tatum certainly has some loyal friends to support him through this phase.

Former NBA star offers support for Jayson Tatum amid criticism

Brandon Jennings’ comment calling Jayson Tatum the “softest” naturally sparked a lot of attention, with many opposing the remark, including Patrick Beverley. On a recent episode of the Pat Bev Podcast, when co-host Adam Ferrone brought up the topic, the former guard took out his shield to defend the Celtics star. “Just because you can see him yelling and you can see his tattoos don’t mean he’s soft,” Beverley firmly stated.

The 36-year-old further added, “He doesn’t look like the normal tough guy, doesn’t mean that he’s not tough. I mean, he gets it done.” Rightly said. Jayson Tatum might not have been at his best lately, his numbers may have dipped slightly but he certainly has the ability to pick up the pace. So far, he’s contributed averages of 27.7 points, 9.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists, which is still a highly impactful individual performance. Whether Tatum and the Celtics can reclaim their form will unfold in the coming months of the season.