Gasper on Tatum: It’s okay to be critical of your superstar
The Boston Celtics dropped game 2 to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday night and some of the talk following the game has revolved around Jayson Tatum. On Friday’s Felger and Mazz, Chris Gasper of The Boston Globe joined the guys and discussed the play of Jayson Tatum.
Is it okay to be critical of Jayson Tatum?
Gasper: Look, I’m not here to kill the guy. It’s not like he’s useless on the court. You look at the numbers and he still is helping to some degree. There’s still some production. But if you’re somebody who, it’s your time, you’re a purported top five player in the NBA, people chant “MVP” for you and you think you should be an MVP winner. And in February at the All-Star Game, when asked a question about LeBron James moving on, potentially, and who could be the face of the league, you’re sitting up there saying that you feel like you have a say in that conversation. Well, now you have to step forward and either elevate your game, and when you don’t you have to own it, because, tell me, is there another guy who’s top five in the league who wouldn’t be getting criticized for not playing up to his full capability, or not elevating his game in the playoffs? Luka, before last night, was getting killed. Rightfully so for how poorly he had shot in the playoffs. From Dallas I wasn’t hearing, “well, what are his screen assists?” He has this gravity that just draws other guys to him, so that creates for the other guy. So we should really credit half of their points to him”. I wasn’t hearing any of that for Luka. And Luka was getting killed nationally long before Tatum was.
Gasper: It’s okay to be critical of your superstar. It doesn’t mean you don’t like him. It doesn’t mean he’s any less of a superstar. It just means you need him to play a little better to get to where you ultimately want to go.
Felger: And you think here he gets a break?
Gasper: Oh, I think he gets a total break. I’m struggling. Mazz you’d have to help me. Felger, Murray you’re a bitter old soul, when has there ever been another guy of this guy’s caliber who gets such a free pass from Boston sports fans? Certainly it’s not Ted Williams or Yaz or Brady or Bird or Pedro or Ortiz. People were harder on Mookie Betts, who actually won an MVP and a championship here, than they are on Tatum. I don’t get it. I mean, you say anything negative about this guy and people are jumping. And I want to walk that back, it’s not even negative, anything accurate and honest about the current state of his play and it’s not all roses and and zero jerseys and they’re all over you. I’ve never seen anything like it.
Listen to Felger and Mazz from 2-6 every Monday-Friday on 98.5 The Sports Hub, with hosts Mike Felger, Tony “Mazz” Massarotti, and Jim Murray “Big Jim”. You can listen live in the Sports Hub App and subscribe to their podcasts here. Follow @FelgerAndMazz on Twitter to keep up with the show!
Mazz's Tiers: Most gratifying championships in Boston since 1980
It’s time for the latest Mazz’s Tiers! Earlier this week, Mazz seemingly kicked a hornet’s nest by saying that if the Boston Celtics won the 2024 NBA Championship, it wouldn’t be gratifying because the Celtics will have only beat soft teams. Due to that comment, Mazz decided to ranks the Boston Sports Championships since 1980 as most gratifying and least gratifying.
But before the tiers, here’s a look at some of the Boston sports championship teams since 1980….
The Boston Red Sox ended an 86 year drought with a four game sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2004 World Series. They also beat the Cardinals in the 2013 World Series in a six game series. The Red Sox have picked up another two other World Series victories since 1980. In 2007 they swept the Colorado Rockies and in 2018 the defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
The Boston Bruins took down the Vancouver Canucks in seven games in 2011 to win their first Stanley Cup since the 1972 Stanley Cup Final.
Since 1980 the New England Patriots won six Super Bowls. Their first came in the 2001 season when they upset the St. Louis Rams. The last of their six came in the 2018 season when they once again defeated the Rams (this time the Rams played in Los Angeles). Head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady led the charge for the Patriots winning all six of their Super Bowls during their run atop the NFL.
The Boston Celtics ended a 22 year championship drought in 2008 when the took down the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals. Prior to the 2008 title and since 1980, the Celtics had won three other titles in 1981, 1984, and 1986.
Tier 1 – Most Gratifying
BOSTON – OCTOBER 17: David Ortiz #34 celebrates after hitting the game winning two-run home run against the New York Yankees in the twelfth inning during game four of the American League Championship Series on October 17, 2004 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)
1984 Boston Celtics – Defeat Los Angeles Lakers in 7 games
2001 New England Patriots – Defeat Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XXXVI
2004 Boston Red Sox – Defeat New York Yankees in ALCS and sweep the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series
2011 Boston Bruins – Defeat Vancouver Canucks in Stanley Cup Final in 7 games
2013 Boston Red Sox – Defeat St. Louis Cardinals in 6 games
2014 New England Patriots – Defeat Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX
2016 New England Patriots – Defeat Atlanta Falcons after trailing 28-3 in Super Bowl LI
Tier 2 – Least Gratifying
Feb 3, 2019; Atlanta, GA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick (middle) and assistant coach Tom Flores (left) and middle linebacker Kyle Van Noy (53) are dunked after defeating the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
1986 Boston Celtics – Defeat Houston Rockets in 6 games
2004 New England Patriots – Defeat Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX
2008 Boston Celtics – Defeat Los Angeles Lakers in 6 games
2018 Boston Red Sox – Defeat Los Angeles Dodgers in 5 games
2018 New England Patriots – Defeat Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII
