Was this strategy or sincerity?
Psychological warfare or honest assessment?
Jason Kidd certainly turned heads when he met with the media on Saturday ahead of Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday.
When asked why it’s so difficult to play against Jaylen Brown, the Mavericks coach responded: “Jalen’s their best player.”
That would feel like an insult to Jayson Tatum, who is considered the Celtics’ best player.
Brown has had an outstanding postseason, averaging 24.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.6 assists while shooting 36.6 percent from three-point range.
In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, he recorded 22 points, six rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists.
Meanwhile, Tatum had 11 rebounds and five assists but was limited to 16 points in the lopsided win.
Notably, Tatum is averaging 25.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 5.9 assists in the playoffs.
“He plays a high percentage both defensively and offensively and has continued to do that throughout the playoffs,” Kidd said of Brown. “There’s been some Eastern Conference Finals MVP talk and it looks like he’s just continuing to pick up where he left off.”
Tatum has a more decorated resume, having been named an All-Star five times and to the All-NBA First Team three times.
He will be competing for the United States at the Paris Summer Olympics.
Brown has been named to the All-Star team three times and to the All-NBA second team once.
Brown may not have been an All-NBA selection this year, but he has proven his worth in the playoffs, and Kidd is a big believer in that.
