Shaquille O’Neal shared some advice for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown during NBATV’s pregame coverage of the NBA Finals on Sunday night. In doing so, he reflected on his relationship as a teammate with Kobe Bryant during their Los Angeles Lakers’ title runs. He admitted that he was never the best player on the team and had to accept being the second option for them to succeed.
“In my Laker runs, I wasn’t the best player on the team,” O’Neal admitted. “I knew that, but I knew I was the most dominant. So, I knew my role. I knew what I had to do. I wasn’t worried about these useless titles. So if those two young gentlemen are worried about useless titles … it will definitely affect them tonight. … Not only affect this game, but they will lose the series.”
Kobe Bryant & Shaquille O’Neal Celebrate NBA Championship Victory
LOS ANGELES, UNITED STATES: Kobe Bryant (L) of the Los Angeles Lakers holds the Larry O’Brian trophy as teammate Shaquille O’Neal (L) hold the MVP trophy after winning the NBA Championship against Indiana Pacers 19 June, 2000, after game six of the NBA Finals at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. The Lakers won the game 116-111 to take the NBA title 4-2 in the best-of-seven series. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE) AFP PHOTO (Photo credit should read AFP/AFP via Getty Images)
O’Neal’s advice comes after Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd labeled Brown the Boston Celtics’ best player, last week. “Jaylen’s their best player,” he said after the Game 1 loss. “He did everything, and that’s what your best player does. Just understanding how to play both sides — defense and offense at a high rate — he’s been doing that the whole playoffs.”
Shaq Shares Advice For The Celtics
“In my Lakers’ runs, I wasn’t the best player on the team, I knew that… If these two young gentleman are worried about useless titles…not only will it effect this game, but they will lose the series.” @SHAQ on Jason Kidd’s recent comments about the The Jays pic.twitter.com/uKZEuV52eG
Despite their success together, O’Neal and Bryant’s relationship on the court eventually deteriorated and the iconic big man left for the Miami Heat. Years later they mended their relationship before Bryant’s tragic passing in 2020. Be on the lookout for further updates on the NBA Playoffs on HotNewHipHop.
TD Garden erupted in cheers as Kristaps Porzingis took the floor for pregame warmups, marking his return after a 38-day hiatus due to a calf strain. The excitement intensified when he checked into the game. Porzingis rewarded the fans with a stellar first-half performance, propelling the Boston Celtics to a 107-89 victory over the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
“Hearing the fans go nuts when I came out the tunnel gave me goosebumps,” Porzingis said.
Porzingis, entering the game with the Celtics holding a narrow 12-11 lead, quickly made his presence felt. By the end of the first quarter, Boston had surged to a 37-20 lead, the largest first-quarter advantage in Game 1 of the Finals since the play-by-play era began in 1997-98. Porzingis contributed 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting, including a three-pointer, three rebounds and two blocks in that stretch. He finished the night with 20 points, six boards, and three blocks, posting a game-high defensive rating of 85.0 to help Boston secure a 1-0 series lead.
“His energy was unbelievable … on offense, on defense, [the] chasedown block in transition … his energy just got us going and took us to another level,” said Celtics forward Al Horford.
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla added, “It doesn’t matter how long he takes off, the guy is going to make plays because of how talented he is and the work he puts in. What he did for us tonight was big.”
Motivated by the Celtics’ 2022 Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors, Jaylen Brown delivered a standout two-way performance in Game 1. Brown tallied 22 points, six rebounds, three steals, and three blocks, joining Tim Duncan and Scottie Pippen as the only players since 1973-74 to record such stats in a Finals Game 1. His relentless drives, timely three-pointers, and a game-high 11 free throw attempts kept the Dallas defense under constant pressure.
Despite the Mavericks’ loss, Luka Doncic made an impressive Finals debut, scoring a game-high 30 points and grabbing ten rebounds, becoming the first player to post a 30-point double-double in their Finals debut since Tim Duncan in 1999.
The NBA finals are finally upon us. The Dallas Mavericks will take on the Boston Celtics on Thursday in what should be a fascinating series of basketball, featuring two teams that have had very different roads to the final. Through 82 games, the Boston Celtics ran through the league during the regular season, finishing with an impressive 64 wins under their belt. Dallas is a different story. The Mavs were a middling team with two superstars, but their fortunes changed with a fantastic trade deadline that brought in the likes of P.J. Washington and Daniel Gafford. They finished the season with one of the best records after the All-Star break.
The two teams’ playoff journeys have also been vastly different. The Celtics cruised through the East to the Finals, facing overmatched competition. Add to the fact that several injuries of star players on the teams they were facing, like the Cavaliers and the Pacers, and you have a smooth run to the finals. On the other hand, the Mavericks have had a tough journey in the West, facing three 50-win teams in a row while dealing with several injuries of their own. The star-studded Finals matchup will feature several matchups and storylines. Kyrie is returning to Boston, and Porzingis is returning to Dallas. Will Jayson Tatum get his first title before Luka Doncic? The drama will undoubtedly be matched by the level of basketball that fans will be treated to. Who will come out on top? Let’s look at the matchups.
Kyrie Irving is returning to Boston after five years after his big move. Irving landed in Boston in 2017 after being traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he won a championship with LeBron James. He forced his way out of Boston in 2019. The Kyrie that was present then isn’t the same Kyrie that is in Dallas. He clearly wanted to venture out on his own and be the premier veteran on a team that could lead them to a championship. He was not up to the task in Boston or his next stop in Brooklyn, but this version of Kyrie seems to have learned from his mistakes and has stepped up as a leader. Nevertheless, Irving will not receive a warm welcome in Boston.
The Boston fans will heckle Irving like they have heckled a few other players. There is a lot of bad blood there between Irving and the fans. It’s no wonder Irving rarely plays in Boston anymore. Kyrie infamously stepped on the Celtics logo as a sign of disrespect; he has flipped off fans and astonishingly tried to cleanse the Boston arena with sage. The Kyrie return is probably the top of the list for drama in the Finals. It is unlikely the noise affects Kyrie Irving in Boston, but if he struggles early, Boston’s fans will feed into it and take it up a notch. Also of note will be his ex-teammate’s reception to him. Let’s see how the dap-ups before game 1 go between Kyrie, Jayson, and Jaylen.
Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are considered two of the best closers in the NBA. We saw their proficiency against the Timberwolves in late-game situations. Their shot-making ability and clutch play are both a big factor in the Finals. Luka is his own beast whose okay performances still see him dropping 30-point triple-doubles. The variety of defenders he has seen in the playoffs has been challenging, and Boston possesses great defenders to throw at him. Nevertheless, Luka has gone off on just about any defender that’s ever guarded him. Kyrie, on the other hand, might be pushed to be more of a facilitator, with the likes of the Celtic’s Jrue Holiday and Derrick White hounding him. Kyrie will look to be aggressive if Boston forces the ball out of Doncic’s hands.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are as dynamic a duo as you have in the league. They both can fill it up and are good defenders. As a duo, they don’t complement each other at times, but their success in these playoffs is due to Tatum and the Brown’s offensive onslaught. The Mavericks have some range and versatile defenders to throw at them, but big numbers should be expected, no matter the matchups. This is the chance for Tatum and Brown to finally get over the hump and win an NBA title after years of falling short. When they are in attack mode, it’s something to behold but when they and their teammates continue to settle for 3-pointers, they get in trouble. Have they learned from their Finals failure against the Golden State Warriors two seasons ago? We will see.
Kristaps Porzingis is now expected to return in game one of the NBA Finals. After sustaining a non-contact calf injury during Game 4 of the first round against the Miami Heat, Porzingis has not appeared in a game since April 29. In that time, the Celtics defeated the Heat 4-1, went on to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-1, and won the Eastern Conference Finals by sweeping the Indiana Pacers. Porzingis is the key that unlocked Boston’s powerhouse offense, which dominated the league. He is a knockdown 3-point shooter who can protect the rim like few players. He offers the Celtics a big advantage that can exploit mismatches and stretch the floor, which makes it much easier for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to attack.
Kristaps is also set to face his former team. His tenure with Luka Doncic and the Mavs was riddled with injury issues and a lack of chemistry between himself and Luka. The environment in Dallas will be particularly antagonistic towards the Latvian international. Dallas has some serious size with Daniel Gafford and rookie Dereck Lively II, but they will have to adjust to guarding Porzingis, who is a legit perimeter threat. His presence means Dallas will have to make some tough decisions defensively in the series. A big reason Dallas was so successful against the Wolves was because of the play of their bigs. Porzingis being healthy makes the 4 and 5 matchups something to keep an eye on.
Who Will Win The NBA Finals? Our Official Prediction
Indianapolis, IN – May 27: Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, right, hugs forward Oshae Brissett after winning Game 4 of the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
Our pick for the 2024 NBA champion is the Boston Celtics. They have been dominant like few teams have been in NBA history. The Dallas Mavericks are not a very deep team, and most of the responsibility will be shouldered by Luka and Kyrie. Boston will be able to rely on guys like Derrick White and Jrue Holiday to take the load off of their stars, and that will be the difference. Porzingis being healthy seals the deal. The Boston Celtics win the series in six hard-fought games, and Jayson Tatum takes home the Finals MVP Award.
After a hard-fought victory of 105-102 on Monday, the Boston Celtics triumphed over the Indiana Pacers, sweeping the Eastern Conference Finals in four games. Despite the challenges, Jaylen Brown’s exceptional performance earned him the series MVP title. Brown’s average of 29.8 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals per game throughout the series is a testament to his resilience. A day after being overlooked for All-NBA honors, he bounced back with a stunning forty points in Game 2. His game-tying three-pointer in Game 1 pushed the game into overtime, which the Celtics eventually won.
While Brown is often seen as Jayson Tatum’s second in command, the two shared the spotlight in this series. Tatum’s impressive average of 30.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists would have made him a strong contender for the Larry Bird Trophy on his own. Together, their combined efforts proved to be a formidable force that the Pacers and every other team in the playoffs struggled to overcome. Despite the distractions surrounding Brown, such as the controversy over his exclusion from the All-NBA teams and the Stephen A. Smith incident, the team’s unity and strength prevailed, leading to their victory.
The Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Pacers were all defeated by the Celtics in a total of 14 games thus, their route to the NBA Finals has often been rather steady. While Kristaps Porziņģis hasn’t played since the opening round, they also went up against teams with their best players injured. The Heat’s Jimmy Butler, Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell and Jarrett Allen were all hurt on this NBA Finals run. Luck is a big part of winning a championship. So far, the Celts have been pretty lucky to go along with some truly dominating play.
Porzingis coming back healthy for the Finals would bode well for Boston. Brown, Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Al Horford will all need to step up significantly if Porziņāis isn’t ready. The Celtics are presumed to take on the Dallas Mavericks. The Mavs feature two of the best late-game closers in the association, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. All in all, the NBA Finals will be incredible. Let’s see if Jaylen Brown can lead his team to a chip.
On First Take on Friday, Stephen A. Smith revealed some derogatory remarks on Boston Celtics player Jaylen Brown that he had heard from an “NBA source.” The segment has caused quite a stir on social media, becoming a huge talking point over the weekend. Smith, Kendrick Perkins, and Jay Williams debated on Friday whether Brown was the NBA’s most underappreciated player. He mentioned in closing remarks that he had received a text from an NBA source. According to the unnamed insider, Brown isn’t underappreciated—rather, “he’s just not liked.”
“I wanted to read to y’all what an NBA source just sent me,” Smith said. “He said, ‘Jaylen Brown, it’s not so much that he’s underrated, it’s that he’s just not liked because of his I-am-better-than-you attitude. He knows it. It’s the same reason he is not as marketable as he should be.’ That’s what an NBA source just sent me.” Smith continued by noting that while he personally liked Brown, he did question whether the source’s claims were accurate. The remarks started a beef with NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who called what Stephen A. did slander. Brown eventually responded on Twitter, quoting a video of the remarks with “State your source.” Now, Stephen A. has responded.
First off, that’s not happening. It’s journalism. Not revealing sources. Secondly, if you continue to watch the segment, I completely disagreed with them — as did Kendrick Perkins. The point we were actually discussing is how under appreciated you are and why that may be, which… https://t.co/WqJpc7OrOm
Stephen A. Smith must have noticed Brown’s tweet since he went back to X to reiterate his position. “First off, that’s not happening. It’s journalism. Not revealing sources,” wrote the Smith. “Secondly, if you continue to watch the segment, I completely disagreed with them — as did Kendrick Perkins. The point we were actually discussing is how under appreciated you are and why that may be, which is why I read the quote. I even brought up how socially conscious you are, and how that may not be liked, knowing you’re a good brother. Also, that you’re a $300M man and you deserve it. But that doesn’t mean naysayers don’t get heard. That comes with the territory.”
In response to the original video, Kendrick Perkins expressed his frustration as well, stating that it omits their uplifting discussion about Brown’s off-court activities. Ultimately, Stephen A. is sure to address this drama in today’s edition of First Take. The anonymous source being able to just trash players with no consequences is nothing new. It was wild that Stephen A. even brought that quote up because it was so disparaging. Overall, the saga may continue this week.
Jaylen Brown called out Stephen A. Smith on X (formerly Twitter), on Sunday, after the media pundit criticized him on ESPN. When Smith claimed to have an NBA source who argued the Boston Celtics star has an “I am better than you” attitude and isn’t “marketable” because of it. Brown fired back: “State your source.”
NBA legend Isiah Thomas joined in with a message of support for the 27-year-old. “I have been a friend, mentor and advisor to @FCHWPO since he was a student at UC Berkeley he is 100 percent marketable and before you slander his name @stephenasmith tell your source to put their name on it or don’t speak on it. Let it be known,” he wrote.
Jaylen Brown Speaks With Jayson Tatum Ahead Of Game 3
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics talks with Jayson Tatum #0 prior to Game Three of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 25, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Afterward, Smith clarified that he had no issues with Brown. Replying to Thomas, he wrote: “I have no idea what you’re talking about @IsiahThomas. I have been a fan of Jaylen Brown for years. Still am. What’s unfortunate is that YOU — who’s known for me decades — would choose to go on X to expressed whatever dissent you feel instead of calling me directly. But I get it. It’s a pattern several folks have used vs me recently, suddenly forgetting communication we’ve always had. So be it. I root for JB always—a great dude and player. But the @celtics have to close the deal.” Check out Jaylen Brown’s response to Stephen A. Smith below..
I have been a friend, mentor and advisor to @FCHWPO since he was a student at UC Berkeley he is 100 percent marketable and before you slander his name @stephenasmith tell your source to put their name on it or don’t speak on it. Let it be known.
The back and forth comes as Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics are just one win away from reaching the NBA Finals. After Saturday night’s win in Indiana, they’ll have a chance to close out their series against the Pacers on Monday night in Game 4. Be on the lookout for further updates on Jaylen Brown and the NBA Playoffs on HotNewHipHop.
Two days after a thrilling last-second comeback in Game 1, Jaylen Brown and the Boston Celtics dominated Game 2, securing a 126-110 victory and a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals as the series shifts to Indianapolis.
Brown matched his playoff career-high with 40 points, spearheading Boston’s offensive charge. Jayson Tatum and Derrick White each contributed 23 points, with Tatum scoring 11 in the decisive fourth quarter and White sinking four three-pointers. Jrue Holiday added a double-double with 15 points and ten assists, ensuring a well-rounded team performance.
Tatum’s scoring in this playoff run has been remarkable, marking his fifth playoff with over 300 points. In reaching this milestone, he joins Celtics legends Larry Bird (six times), Kevin McHale, Sam Jones, and John Havlicek (five times each). Brown is just three points shy of joining this elite group.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 10 points for the Pacers and provided eight assists before exiting the game with 3:44 left in the third quarter due to injury.
The series moves to Indianapolis, where the Pacers will host Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday. The Pacers boast a perfect 6-0 record at home this postseason, while the Celtics remain unbeaten on the road with a 4-0 record.
Jaylen Brown’s clutch performance pushed the Boston Celtics into overtime, where Jayson Tatum took over to secure a 133-128 win over the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.
Tatum scored 10 of his game-high 36 points in the extra frame, while Jrue Holiday added 28 points and Brown contributed 26. This marked the first time in Celtics history that three players scored 25+ points in an ECF game.
Indiana had a chance to win in regulation, but Tyrese Haliburton’s 27-foot fadeaway missed the mark. Haliburton, who had already nailed a 35-footer at the half and a 28-foot banked three at the third-quarter buzzer, couldn’t replicate his earlier heroics. Despite the miss, he finished with 25 points and ten assists.
The Pacers mounted an impressive rally, erasing a 13-point deficit with 3:23 left in the third quarter. Haliburton’s banked three capped a 14-2 run, giving Indy momentum as they took the lead early in the fourth and held a five-point advantage late. Pascal Siakam added 24 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. In comparison, Myles Turner had 23 points and ten rebounds, making it only the third time in the Pacers’ playoff history that three players recorded double-doubles.
After a Game 7 win in New York, Indiana sought consecutive road victories. Haliburton joined Trae Young and Jrue Holiday as the only players with 25+ points and 10+ assists in their conference finals debut since 2021.
Game 2 is set for Thursday, with the Celtics aiming to build on their momentum.
Behind a combined 60 points from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics defeated the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers 109-102 to secure a 3-1 series lead. Tatum posted 33 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Brown contributed 27 points, eight rebounds, and shot 60% from the field. This marks the second straight game where both stars scored 25+ points and the 15th time they have done so as playoff teammates.
The Celtics showcased their resilience by bouncing back from a Game 2 loss at home, sweeping the next two road games for the second consecutive series.
Jrue Holiday filled the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four three-pointers, three steals, and one block in 43 minutes, further bolstering Boston’s performance.
The Cavaliers, missing their leading playoff scorer Donovan Mitchell due to a calf strain, and with LeBron James watching from courtside, struggled to match Boston’s firepower. Darius Garland shook off a scoreless first quarter to finish with 30 points, while Caris LeVert and Evan Mobley added 19 points each.
Despite their efforts, Cleveland couldn’t overcome Mitchell’s absence, allowing the Celtics to take control of the series.
The teams will face off again in Game 5, with Boston looking to close out the series and Cleveland aiming to extend it.
In a commanding Game 1 performance, the Boston Celtics secured a convincing 120-95 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, fueled by the dynamic duo of Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
Brown erupted for 32 points, including 15 in a blistering first quarter, showcasing his scoring prowess. Meanwhile, White lit up the scoreboard with 25 points, connecting on seven of his 12 attempts from beyond the arc, making him the only player in this postseason with multiple games of 7+ threes.
“He takes a ton of pride in just growing as a player… every year, every game, every day,” said Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Jayson Tatum added, “Year after year the game’s continued to slow down for him. I see everyday the work that he puts in, on the court and watching film.
Despite the Cavaliers’ efforts, led by Donovan Mitchell’s impressive 33-point performance, the Celtics proved too much to handle. Mitchell’s stellar showing marked his sixth consecutive playoff series opener with 30+ points, joining the ranks of basketball legends Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Wilt Chamberlain.
