Are Celtics’ Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown Coming Up as NBA’s Finest Duo?

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are playing like superstars. While the Celtics are yet to find consistent winning form to start the 2020-21 season, their two stars have been playing very well. With Kemba Walker spending time out with injury, these two have been thrust into a position to lead.

Tatum had proven his capability by being arguably the Celtics’ best player last season. While Brown was a formidable star, he is making a case as one of the primary focuses of the Boston offense. He has been better than Tatum this season, but the real damage comes with them together.

This statistic puts them in elite company. While they are second-placed, equaling the 2010-11 Thunder duo of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant shouldn’t be overlooked. That Thunder team went to the NBA Finals the very next year.

But should we start looking at Brown and Tatum as one of the best two-man punches in the league? Brooklyn has KD and Kyrie Irving, LA has Paul George and Kawhi Leonard on one team and LeBron James with Anthony Davis on the other. Are Brown and Tatum in that conversation?

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown: Can they become elite?

Many people were begging Kemba to be the leader of this Celtics team. While he will still be one of the on-court leaders with his exceptional point guard ability and experience in the league, the Celtics should start looking at Tatum and Brown as their primary options.

Brown is averaging 26.9 points, while Tatum is averaging 26.3 points. JT is also averaging almost 8 boards a game, while both of them are assisting on about four buckets a game. Brown has been turning the ball over more than in prior seasons, but that is a statistic that will correct itself when Kemba returns.

They have the numbers to be considered an elite duo- there is no doubting that. However, with them having young careers, there will be some time before they can stand toe-to-toe with the best duos in the league. But from how this season has started, they are heading in the right direction.