Inside The Celtics

Ime Udoka Assesses Tatum and Brown's Growth Since Coaching Them: 'A Lot of Potential That I Haven't Tapped Into'

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 59 points in their first chance to play against a team coached by Ime Udoka since his departure from the Celtics.

Bobby Krivitsky

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Ime Udoka arrived in Boston at a critical point in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown's development, taking over as the Celtics' bench boss for their age 23 and 25 seasons, respectively.

Instilling in Tatum that he's on the same level as the NBA's biggest stars, and whether it's LeBron James, Kevin Durant, or any of the league's other marquee players, he needs to assert himself when going against individuals he should see as his peers, helped the soon-to-be five-time All-Star evolve.

Having a head coach preaching that they aren't a track team and don't run from anybody was a message that still represents the force and never-back-down nature of how Brown plays.

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Ahead of Udoka's first trip back to Boston and receiving a mix of cheers and boos before the Celtics made light work of the Rockets, earning a 145-113 victory to improve to 19-0 at TD Garden, Houston's head coach shared his perspective on the star tandem's growth since he was their bench boss.

"They've taken those steps in confidence, been there, done that," expressed Udoka. "I think going through that experience helps everyone across the board. So, some little things, I might have imparted some wisdom on them as far as that, and just their growth in general. It's a natural progression for those guys to become the All-NBA guys they are, and I think, for the most part, they're going to be perennial year to year. 

"So, [I'm] happy for them; not surprised by their growth or success. (It's) just a natural step for them, especially them being the leaders now, and some of the veterans that were here before them moving on. The things I tried to preach to them, I think they've taken those to heart, and they continue to grow and are getting better and better."

Brown generated a game-high 32 points in Saturday's win, erupting for 21 in the third quarter, combining with the hosts playing with more force on defense to fuel a 43-28 frame that represented the knockout blow.

The two-time All-Star paired that production with six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Tatum put 27 points on the board, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out five assists, and had a steal and a block before his night ended early due to a fourth-quarter ejection after voicing his displeasure with the lack of a foul call on two consecutive drives to the basket.

"Relatively good efficiency," the star duo's current head coach, Joe Mazzulla, voiced after Saturday's win. "You got 32 points out of 15 shots. Both of them (were) relatively efficient tonight. 

"So, I think they're doing a good job of getting to their spots, of understanding the coverage, and picking and choosing when to attack," adding, "I do like the intention that they're playing with."

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Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Boston's star wings followed up the Celtics' 2022 NBA Finals appearance by earning an All-NBA selection, with Tatum making the First Team and Brown the second. 

That qualified the latter to sign the most lucrative contract extension in league history on the heels of helping Boston get within one win of a second-straight crack at a best of seven with the Larry O'Brien Trophy on the line.

In the 2023-24 campaign, Tatum's willingness to embrace any role asked of him and set his teammates up to step into the spotlight as scorers exemplify the sacrifice that is the theme of their season.

Brown is having what this author considers the best year of his career. He's evolving into a more complete player, making considerable growth as a facilitator, and a tone setter, consistently propels the Celtics' up-tempo attack, and who's more locked in than ever defensively.

"I still think I have a lot of potential that I haven't tapped into," the Marietta, Georgia native, stated after arriving at the podium post-game. "It's been fun trying to be the best version of Jaylen Brown," he continued. "I've gotten better each and every year, and I don't think that's gonna stop any time soon."

That's what the Celtics were hoping for when they inked him to his veteran supermax extension in July. His maturation is one of the main reasons the franchise is optimistic that now entering their primes, Tatum and Brown will go from consistently leading Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals to raising banners to the TD Garden rafters, starting with number 18 this season.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out as Celtics Steamrolled Rockets in Ime Udoka's Return

Ime Udoka Shares How He Felt After Celtics Suspended Him: 'We've Talked It Out'

Marcus Smart in Danger of Missing Return to Boston

Jrue Holiday Responds to Celtics Saying He's Sacrificing Most: 'Not Mad at My Situation'

Driven by Championship Pursuit, Jayson Tatum Unfazed by Sacrifice, Less Fanfare: 'Don't Look for That Praise'

Brad Stevens Shares What Celtics Are Looking to Add and How He Hopes to Do So

Derrick White Opens Up About Journey from Uncertainty He Belonged in the NBA to an All-Star Caliber Guard

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'

Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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