Expectations are high for young Boston Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown entering the 2019-20 season, and one of their new teammates is very excited about what the future holds.
Veteran center Enes Kanter, who Boston signed in NBA free agency to a two-year contract, recently explained in an interview with Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype why he thinks both Tatum and Brown could make their first All-Star appearances in 2019-20.
I think they both have the potential to be All-Stars this year. I think they have all of the tools – they’re hardworking guys, they’re willing to learn, they have amazing character on and off the court and they’re amazingly talented. I think for Jaylen and Jayson the ceiling is, of course, to be All-Stars. With their work ethic and leadership, I definitely think they can take our team to the next level and take us really, really deep into the playoffs. I’ve already met Jaylen; he’s an amazing guy. We were actually playing two-on-two; it was me and Jaylen Brown against Gordon Hayward and Tacko Fall. It was amazing! I’m definitely very excited to play with those guys.
Tatum was expected to be on the cusp of All-Star status last season following a stellar rookie campaign and 2018 playoff run. He improved in several statistical categories during his sophomore season, but his field goal and 3-point percentages both dipped. Brown started the 2018-19 season poorly amid a hand injury and lost his starting shooting guard spot to Marcus Smart. He eventually settled into a sixth man role and his performance improved. Brown was among Boston's best players after the All-Star break and in the playoffs.
After battling inconsistency and adversity last season, Tatum and Brown both have plenty of motivation entering the new campaign. Tatum is out to prove he still has the potential to someday be a top 10 player in the league, while Brown is playing for the first major contract of his career. Brown is eligible for a rookie extension until the October deadline, but if he waits and has a fantastic fourth season, he could really cash in next summer as a restricted free agent.
The Celtics should again be a top-four team in the Eastern Conference next season, and if the team chemistry greatly improves, there's a chance they could compete for a conference title. For that to happen, however, both Tatum and Brown need to live up to (or even exceed) expectations and play at an All-Star caliber level on a consistent basis. These young stars are the X-factors for the Celtics' upcoming season.
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