Tristan Thompson addresses the Boston media for the first time as a member of the Celtics.
The Boston Celtics' future is bright, and the foundation of that optimism is built on the talent of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Brown was the No. 3 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. He's coming off his best season as a pro after setting career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game. Tatum was the No. 3 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft and set career highs in points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks per game in 2019-20. He also made his first All-Star Game appearance and won Eastern Conference Player of the Month for February.
These two young wings have developed into legit stars and building blocks for the Celtics for years to come. Brown signed a four-year rookie contract extension in October that begins with the upcoming 2020-21 campaign. Tatum recently signed a five-year rookie max contract extension that begins in the 2021-22 season.
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Brown was asked Friday at his video press conference about Tatum's extension and the team constructing its roster around the two of them. He was very excited for Tatum and is focused on helping the franchise reach the NBA Finals after coming pretty close in recent seasons.
"I think that was obvious and well deserved, of course. I'm proud of JT," Brown said. "It's something that's big mentally but also big for your family, the next generation, for Deuce and everything coming behind. For sure that's something to celebrate.
"I'm looking forward to the future. We're here, we've been close and we're trying to get over that hump. We gotta win games when it matters most. I think that's what we're both focused on.
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"I was definitely proud of (Tatum). I congratulated him and sent him a text because that's big."
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Brown has played four seasons with the C's and they have reached the Eastern Conference Finals in three of those years, most recently a six-game defeat to the Miami Heat inside the bubble in September.
The Celtics likely will go as far as Brown and Tatum take them in 2020-21. Their development and performance will be among the most important factors in whether Boston has a successful season and returns to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.