Charles Barkley Warns Jayson Tatum for “Half-A**” Knicks Showing With His Own Lakers Regret

The Boston Celtics have the best record in the NBA this year, but they do not plan to finish the regular season off on a positive note. After an embarrassing loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the Celtics are trailed down by 21 points to the 3rd seed New York Knicks in halftime. What’s concerning is that the Celtics are fully healthy and even with their dominant starting five playing together, they cannot cut the lead against Jalen Brunson and Co. Who is to be blamed for this? Charles Barkley has blatantly blamed Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown for this underwhelming performance. 

On Inside the NBA, the Philadelphia 76er icon shared, “Shaq asked me earlier if Tatum and Brown should play. If they going to play like that, they shouldn’t play…You play to the end of the season…If you’re going to go out there half-a****, like they did in Milwaukee the other night,”. While Tatum dropped a decent show with 13 points in the first half, Brown secured only 9 points, going 0/6 in the second quarter. However, the elephant in the room was their defense.

Barkley looked back into his 1993 Finals run when he was with the Phoenix Suns. His team had the best record in the NBA that season but lost the first two games to the LA Lakers in the very first round of the playoffs. Although the Suns came back 3-2 to win the series, Barkley still regrets losing the rhythm before the playoffs. He said, “We lost the first two games at home to the Lakers…I regret it to this day“. 

Barkley is hinting that the Celtics might be in a scenario like that soon. Also, Barkley is not the only one who wants the Celtics to finish off on a strong note.

Kevin Garnett demands Jayson Tatum and the rest to set the tone

While many think this is a time for the Celtics to relax, Barkley and KG want them to take it seriously. During the Celtics vs the Knicks, the Big Ticket tweeted, “These season close-out games sets the level for the playoffs! Treat em like game 1 of the playoffs. Set the mf tone!” 

Garnett, who played a pivotal role in helping the Celtics finish first seed in 2008, knows the best obviously. 

Read more: Nikola Jokic Sealed His Fate With Timberwolves’ Loss Amid Raging MVP Debate, as Per 46YO Celtics Legend

Most of the teams would rest their best players for the playoffs, but Celtics are not doing that. Maybe, if the starters get a win within the next two games, Tatum, Brown, etc. can prepare for the postseason. They face the Washington Wizards and the Charlotte Hornets next. Let’s hope the Celtics stick to KG’s words! 

Read more: Kenny Smith Piles On Jayson Tatum’s Misery With Bold Campaign for Jalen Brunson