"They have a lot of dangerous duos but this is the best duo in the NBA" - Kendrick Perkins asserts Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are proving Celtics to be a championship contender
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have led the Boston Celtics to an 8-3 start. Former NBA player and current analyst Kendrick Perkins shared why he believes the Celtics duo are the best in the NBA.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have each scored 30-plus points in the same game 15 times as teammates. That is the 3rd-most by any pair of teammates over the last 30 seasons, trailing only Russell Westbrook/Kevin Durant and Shaquille O'Neal/Kobe Bryant. https://t.co/ndwDJqnrUT
During a recent appearance on NBA Today, Perkins said:
"Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, [they are] the best duo in the NBA and they proved that last year. Yes, they didn't win the NBA championship, but we saw them at least get to the Finals."
"What they are doing right now. ... their leadership skills, Jayson Tatum averaging a 30 piece plus, Jaylen Brown 25 plus. ...When I look at JT and JB, yes, they will be All-Stars this season."
"But they're looking like a team that's on a mission to complete the mission that they didn't do last season. ...They have a lot of dangerous duos, but this is the best duo in the NBA."
Through 11 games, Tatum has averaged 31.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists. He's also shot 49.8% from the field, 37.9% from 3-point range, and 87.5% from the free-throw line.
Brown has averaged 25.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. He's shot 46.1% from the field, 33.8% from beyond the arc, and 84.7% from the charity stripe.
Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving are the only other duo averaging at least 25.0 points per game.
Watch Kendrick Perkins discuss Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown below:
Can Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown lead the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship?
The Boston Celtics went to the NBA Finals last season, thanks in large part to one of the NBA's best defenses. The Celtics' defense ranked first in points allowed per game and second in defensive rating last season. Their offense wasn't quite as dominant, but ranked 12th in points per game and seventh in offensive rating.
It's been a different story this season. Their offense has carried the team through 11 games. Their defense has been inconsistent. The Celtics' offense ranks second in points per game and first in offensive rating. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are a big reason why that's the case.
Their defense ranks 17th in points allowed per game and 24th in defensive rating. The Celtics are hoping that Robert Williams III will turn their defense around. The 25-year old big man hasn't played since undergoing knee surgery in September.
If the Celtics want to win their first championship since 2008, their defense will need to pick up the pace.
The Celtics will host the Denver Nuggets at TD Garden on Friday. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm/ET.