“Take Off His Shirt and Dance”: Ex-NBA Star Defends Jayson Tatum After Accusations Over MVP Celebrations

With 5/9 analysts voting for Jaylen Brown to win the Eastern Conference MVP, Jayson Tatum lost his chance to win this honor with a difference of just one vote. Anyhow, he helped the Boston Celtics achieve something bigger, which is, to book their ticket to the Finals once again. Although Tatum believes Brown winning the Eastern Finals MVP is “special“, Udonis Haslem has a contrasting narrative on this, which has turned out to be controversial. A Phoenix Suns icon, who noticed this take, decided to blast the Miami Heat champion for it.

Tatum was all smiles when Brown was announced as the winner of the Larry Bird Trophy. However, Udonis Haslem believes Tatum was “shocked“ to see his teammate grab the honor. The 3x Miami Heat champion said on ESPN, “I think Jayson was just shocked. I think he played well down the stretch, he led them in rebounding, that was something that you weren’t expecting him to do. You think a big man will take care of that. I think Jayson Tatum was shocked.” 

Fans noticed that there was no such reaction of shock from Jayson Tatum during the celebration. He was rather smiling, which Phoenix Suns icon Eddie. A. Johnson pin-pointed. He replied to Haslem’s take on X, “This a joke. Jayson Tatum is smiling, patting on back and clapping”. He hilariously added, “What else should he do? Take off his shirt and dance on the court.”

Not just Eddie Johnson, but the entire social media is questioning Haslem’s surprising take on Tatum. What’s notable is that Haslem was just appreciated for his analysis on ESPN by an NBA Hall of Famer. Just two days after that, he is now receiving quite the scrutiny. 

A quick change of scenario for Udonis Haslem, days after being praised by Lakers legend

Haslem stars for ESPN’s Get Up, in which he has been an analyst for the playoffs. However, he does not hold the permanent position there. Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson decided to endorse Haslem with a tweet two days back.

He wrote, “You should hire Udonis Haslem permanently! He’s been spectacular breaking down the NBA playoffs – from the players’ game and mentality to the x’s and o’s, as well as the philosophy of the game…Udonis has done it with intelligence, charisma, and flair. And he’s funny too!”

First Take on ESPN stars retired players like Kendrick Perkins and JJ Redick. Johnson believes it is time to add Haslem to the table. However, with the above take on Jayson Tatum and his celebration, Johnson’s endorsement might have gone in vain. It remains if ESPN will consider placing Haslem permanently on First Take.

Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato had to say about the marketing genius, watch this video: