The Toronto Raptors added more fuel to the fiery feud between Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum and former NBA guard Brandon Jennings on Wednesday night. After defeating the Celtics 110-97 to snap a 10-game losing streak in the rivalry, the Raptors’ social media team seized the opportunity to troll Tatum using an image of his recent critic, Jennings.
Despite Tatum putting up a solid stat line of 16 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists, it came on an inefficient 5-of-15 shooting night as the Raptors finally solved their Celtics puzzle. Postgame, Toronto posted a picture of Jennings on Twitter accompanied by a cryptic clover emoji, a not-so-subtle jab at Tatum and the Celtics.
Jennings and Tatum Trade Verbal Jabs
The social media sparring between Jennings and Tatum has intensified over the past week. It began when Jennings, appearing on Gilbert Arenas’ podcast, questioned whether Tatum was the “softest Boston Celtics superstar ever” and suggested he let teammate Jaylen Brown carry the load in last year’s NBA Finals victory.
“If you’re so tough, why you didn’t get Finals MVP last year? Why’d you let your running mate [Jaylen Brown] do it?”
– Brandon Jennings
Tatum fired back in an instagram post, downplaying Jennings’ criticism. He addressed it again after a loss to the Kings, acknowledging the attention that comes with being an elite player.
“Surprised? No. I think it comes with being one of the best players in the league. The more you accomplish, the more it gives people the opportunity to nitpick at things.”
– Jayson Tatum
Jennings continued his verbal assault this week, arguing that Tatum doesn’t even crack the top five all-time Celtics list. His personal rankings placed Bill Russell, Paul Pierce, Kevin McHale, Larry Bird and Kevin Garnett ahead of the 24-year-old superstar.
Raptors Capitalize on Controversy
With the Jennings-Tatum beef simmering, the Raptors expertly capitalized on the moment after their cathartic win over their Atlantic Division rival. The clever troll job added an extra layer of satisfaction as Toronto finally got over the hump against a Celtics team that has dominated them in recent years.
While Tatum has mostly taken the high road, aside from a few subtle retorts, Jennings shows no signs of letting up on his criticism of the three-time All-Star. With tensions rising and the Raptors now injecting themselves into the fray, this war of words appears to be just getting started as the Eastern Conference playoff race heats up.
Tatum’s Status Questioned
Despite leading the Celtics to the NBA championship last season and establishing himself as one of the league’s premier players, Tatum finds his superstar status facing doubts from some corners. Jennings’ critiques, while controversial, have sparked debates about Tatum’s place in the hierarchy of Celtics legends.
- Finals MVP snub: Many feel Tatum should have won Finals MVP over Brown
- “Soft superstar” label: Jennings questions Tatum’s toughness and leadership
- All-time Celtics ranking: Jennings leaves Tatum out of his top 5 Celtics ever
As the face of the franchise, Tatum will need to continue to prove himself on the court to silence the doubters. The Raptors, meanwhile, seem content to fan the flames of this feud as they try to gain any edge in their quest to overthrow the defending champs.
Social Media Sparks Rivalries
In the age of social media, NBA rivalries and personal beefs can ignite with a single tweet or post. The Raptors’ timely trolling of Tatum showcases how these online jabs can add another dimension to the competition on the court.
As Tatum and the Celtics look to defend their title, they’ll have to contend not only with hungry challengers like the Raptors, but also the added scrutiny and trash talk that comes with being on top. With Jennings baiting him into a war of words and other teams eager to exploit any potential drama, Tatum will be tested both physically and mentally.
Ultimately, his play on the court will determine whether he can cement his place among the Celtics’ all-time greats and silence critics like Jennings. But in the meantime, the Raptors’ social media team delivered a reminder that in today’s NBA, the battles extend well beyond the hardwood.
