Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum isn’t staying silent after some harsh words from a former NBA guard. This week, ex-Milwaukee Bucks player Brandon Jennings surprised fans with pointed criticism of Tatum during an appearance on Gil’s Arena, hosted by Gilbert Arenas. Jennings labeled Tatum as “the softest Boston Celtics superstar ever,” raising eyebrows across the basketball world.
Jennings went on to critique Tatum’s playing style and even accused him of allowing teammate Jaylen Brown to claim the NBA Finals MVP award last season. The comments quickly sparked debate among fans and analysts, with many questioning Jennings’ motives and the validity of his claims.
A clip of Jennings’ remarks, which includes explicit language, has circulated widely on social media, fueling the controversy.
Tatum, however, was quick to respond. On Wednesday, fresh off a commanding win against the Denver Nuggets (marking Boston’s fourth victory in their last five games), the five-time All-Star fired back with a post on Instagram. Tatum shared a reel of his recent highlights, accompanied by the caption: “SoFtesT SuPeRstar in CeLtiC HiStoRy.” The caption mimicked the sarcastic tone of the popular “Mocking SpongeBob” meme, alternating upper- and lower-case letters to mock Jennings’ criticism.
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Tatum’s response resonated with fans, many of whom praised him for addressing the criticism head-on while using humor to diffuse the situation.
Despite leading the Celtics to an NBA championship last season, Tatum continues to face detractors. Some critics point to his occasional on-court theatrics or past controversies, such as accusations of copying others’ work in off-court ventures, as reasons for their disapproval.
Jennings, now 35 and retired from the NBA since 2017, seems to have joined the chorus of Tatum’s critics. Whether Jennings’ remarks stem from genuine analysis or an attempt to stir the pot, Tatum’s clapback shows he’s more than capable of defending his legacy.
With his stellar performances this season and the Celtics remaining a top contender, Tatum seems focused on letting his game speak for itself—while occasionally taking time to silence the noise in his own style.
