"What he did against all-time greats in Kevin Durant, Giannis and Jimmy Butler, you can’t discredit that ... Let’s not throw him under bus yet" - Reggie Miller says 3x All-Star getting unnecessarily slandered following Finals loss

Several former NBA players have defended Jayson Tatum from criticism. [Photo: Duke Athletics]

Jayson Tatum had one of the worst NBA Finals by a franchise player in the Boston Celtics' 4-2 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The All-NBA forward’s worst game came during Game 6, when he had a horrific two-point second half to finish with 13 points.

Immediately after the Celtics limped off their home floor, Tatum was slandered by fans and analysts. Over the last few days, however, he has received the backing of several current and former players, including Reggie Miller.

Here’s what Reggie Miller had to say about Tatum on the Dan Patrick Show:

“I’m not worried about Jayson Tatum. I know it’s disappointing because we were ready to anoint him, and I get it. But you can’t discredit what he did throughout this postseason against some of the all-time greats in our game in Kevin Durant, Giannis and Jimmy Butler, you can’t discredit that. He was an Eastern Conference finals MVP, right?”

Young #Celtics star Jayson Tatum is taking a lot of heat today after struggling in #NBAFinals Game 6 but @richeisen says give the 24-year old his due for the season just turned in:

#NBA #NBAPlayoffs
#NBATwitter https://t.co/hDDraT34FD

Miller further explained:

“And we’re taking 6 games and throwing everything else out the window. What about all those other games that mattered, those Game 7s when they were down 3-2, when they were facing elimination and how big he came up. Let’s not throw him under the bus yet.”

The Boston Celtics’ midseason turnaround would not have been possible without their All-Star. Jayson Tatum, alongside Jaylen Brown, produced some of the league's best basketball over the last few months of the regular season to make the playoffs.

Jayson Tatum should NOT be getting all this heat. https://t.co/TJgZaGOfhX

The Celtics blanked Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving's Brooklyn Nets in the first round. The 24-year-old completely outplayed Durant, which only heightened the expectations of fans and analysts.

Up next were the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks, who Boston took out in seven games.

THE BOSTON CELTICS HAVE COMPLETED THE SWEEP!

They advance to the 2nd round, after beating the Brooklyn Nets 116-112 in Game 4.

#NBAPlayoffs https://t.co/8XWdfIm8wm

Boston bounced back from a 2-3 series deficit to beat Giannis Antetokounmpo's team on the road in Game 6 before advancing in Game 7. The Celtics entered the NBA Finals after beating the top-seeded Miami Heat. Through the first three rounds, Tatum, a three-time All-Star, was unquestionably Boston’s best player.

Boston Celtics WIN Game 7 to knock out the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks 4-3! ☘️🙌

They will face Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals! ☘️×🔥

#jaysontatum #marcussmart #jaylenbrown #bostonceltics https://t.co/kxmpGiXJxC

Jayson Tatum had a great postseason despite a horrible NBA Finals performance

The ECF MVP is only 24 years old. [Photo: Twitter]

By now, it’s well-chronicled that Tatum holds the unenviable record for the most turnovers in a single postseason (100). But critics tend to overlook that he also has the most points and assists in the playoffs.

He was named the first-ever Larry Bird Eastern Conference MVP and the youngest ever to record 600 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists in the playoffs.

Jayson Tatum is the first player in NBA history with 100 turnovers in a single postseason. https://t.co/Jd7PKvYHCJ

When Steph Curry was Tatum's age, the Warriors star had never even made it to the playoffs and wasn’t named an All-Star. Jayson Tatum has already been to three All-Star games and has appeared in 74 postseason matches. He also led his team to the NBA Finals.

Jayson Tatum is the youngest player in NBA history with

600 PTS
100 REB
100 AST

in a single playoffs. https://t.co/IjKWNJzuSj

Tatum had a miserable championship series, but no team would blink twice if given the opportunity to sign him. If he can learn from his mistakes and bounce back stronger, the Boston Celtics will have someone special leading them for at least another decade.

Jayson Tatum's dad, Justin, with a heartfelt message to his son 🙏

(via tatum_camps/IG) https://t.co/NcZMU8gif5