Ex-Celtics Star Makes Wild Claim In Jayson Tatum Vs. Jaylen Brown Debate

Despite getting just 16 games from Tatum during the regular season, the Celtics still won 56 games and took the two seed in the Eastern Conference, largely thanks to Brown's career year. They finished four games behind the Detroit Pistons for the one seed.

Tatum got injured again during the playoffs, however, missing the final five quarters of Boston's first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Celtics lost Game 7 at home without Tatum, as Brown was unable to lead them past the Sixers.

Turner thinks if Brown had gotten hurt instead of Tatum, Boston would still be playing basketball.

He may be right. According to on/off court splits, the Celtics are at their best when Tatum is on the floor without Brown, and at their worst when Brown is on the floor without Tatum. Boston also has a better record when Tatum takes more shots than Brown and has a great record in general when Brown sits.

Brown did a great job in Tatum's absence this year, but ultimately it wasn't quite good enough.

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