Celtics star Jayson Tatum didn’t believe he should have been ejected from Friday’s game, and the league office appears to be in agreement, tweeting that the flagrant foul called against Tatum late in the third quarter has been downgraded to a common foul.
As Souichi Terada of MassLive recounts, Tatum was whistled for the flagrant foul while battling for a loose ball with Philadelphia’s Robert Covington. When Tatum protested to the officials, he was given his second technical of the night.
“I was extremely surprised,” Tatum said. “Y’all all saw what happened. You might not know what I said, but I mean, I guess whatever I said doesn’t matter at this point. I don’t agree with that. One of the assistant coaches who was there with me doesn’t agree. But it doesn’t really matter, right? It’s like the ref’s word against ours.”
In his pool report after the game, crew chief Bill Kennedy wrote that Tatum was T’d up on the play because “he continued to complain about the foul called on the floor and overtly gestures toward the officials.” Tatum claims he was trying to have a discussion with referees Nick Buchert and Phenizee Ransom when they tossed him out of the game.
“It was like, they was ready to throw me out,” Tatum said. “One of the magic words? Did I cuss? No, I didn’t. I didn’t have to say a cuss word. If you watch the clips, you probably can read my lips. No hand gestures. … I’ve been in the league long enough, I’ve seen a lot worse behavior and reactions get tolerated for a lot longer. So for those two to throw me out the game, I was shocked.”
There’s more from Boston:
- The Celtics are hoping Kristaps Porzingis can be ready for Monday’s in-season tournament quarterfinal, according to Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. Porzingis has missed the past three games with a strained calf, but coach Joe Mazzulla said he was able to complete an on-court workout before Thursday’s practice.
- Tatum and Jaylen Brown are both posting up more often this season, with a combined 4.5 post looks per game heading into Friday, Himmelsbach adds. “I just think that’s two of our skill sets, me and Jayson,” Brown said. “Love to play with our back to the basket as big wings, take advantage of matchups and you score more efficiently, especially in the playoffs when things get a little tougher.”
- Mazzulla directed an effort this summer for the Celtics to keep in touch with their former players, Himmelsbach states in a separate story. Emails were sent to about 225 ex-players, and Mazzulla asked new assistant coach Sam Cassell, a backup on the 2007/08 title team, to serve as a conduit for members of that squad. “Joe wants this to be a huge family,” Cassell said. “The tradition is there, but he just wants this to be a huge family.”
Well, we beat Philly, & though I watched it all, I don’t know how. It was almost unwatchable with all those terrible 20 turnovers by the Celtics, 7 by Jason Tatum alone. And Jason had the 7 turnovers in only three quarters! Lucky for us our star got ejected and we played team ball in the 4th quarter to come from behind to win. Looking at the stats I guess we won it from the foul line. But once again WE LOST THE OFFENSIVE REBOUND GAME! Celts only got 10 OR’s to Philly’s 15. And that means Philly took way more shots, a distressing stat. Philly took 94 shots, we took 77! 17 shots less than Philly! Thank goodness our off the bench players, only playing 10 minutes each, Delano Banton got 3 offensive rebounds and Neemias Queta got 2! That was half of our 10!
We need to play players who will get offensive rebounds or we won’t win anything. Play your bench more Coach Mazzulla! Go Celtics!
good summary.
15-4 best record in NBA. And I agree they can play better. Yet you want to talk about failing. Winning is all that matters. Especially 20 gms into the season. KP hasn’t been playing. Yet you see negativity. It’s an 82 gm season. Why don’t you enjoy the building and the winning. You build to get better. You won’t know that after 20 gms.
“Negativity?” I guess so. But my goal is to point out Celtics’ weaknesses now in the hope that spotlighting & showcasing them they are addressed. And Coach Mazzulla is indeed trying out his bench! He’s got Banton & Queta playing who are getting offensive boards. Go Celtics!
OK but that’s what the season is for. To see where you are weak. To address the things that need work. Chemistry doesn’t come overnight. You have to play and make the mistakes. To be able to see your strengths as a team. They have new guys at priced positions. I’m saying. If you are a real fan wait it out. Celtics are one of favorites this yr.
Agree 100%.
I’ll wait until post season to see if Mazzulla uses his bench or goes with 7-8 players like last year. I’ll wait to see if they play team ball,all 48 minutes or go 1 on 5 in the last 5 minutes of a close game. I’ll wait to see if they have assists on 1/2 of their made baskets. I’ll wait to see if they get out coached by better coaches again. Then I will know if this team wins it all or falls short yet again for the same reasons.
I hope Coach doesn’t wait! Go Celtics!
The problem with the Celtics is the coaching, plain and simple. Everyone’s aspiration is to win! If that’s the case then we need a new coach. Nick Nurse was flying circles around Joe the other night. Get us a new coach!
I went to my very first celtics in 1966 i have seen every coach since red fyi kc and joe are very similar to how they use there roster and kc won 2 rings with the celtics and how can you say nurse out coached joe isn’t it about win loss joe won nurse lost
Considering that the sixers had both of there out of the lineup, yes Nurse out coached Joe! His team played harder and their spacing and cutting on offense was far superior than the Celtics! The Celtics need a better coach, Period, if they want to win it all!
Thank you! Defend our coach.
I remember Nick Nurse was a whiner up with Toronto so I never warmed up to him.
What they need is some quality bench depth
If this is true. Plenty of players, vets. Will want to come and play for a ring. Celtics have plenty of time…… to get it right.
They have quality bench. How do you think they beat the Bucks without Porzingas and Holliday? The coach needs to use them. They have gotten great minutes from Pritchard, Hauser, Kornet, Banton, Brissett, and Queta. Play them, and rest the starters a few minutes. And don’t play them with Brown as he doesn’t usually share the ball with them.
Yes, we have a quality bench this season & Coach is gaining confidence about using it.
Go Celts!