Here’s a 2000-word article draft titled “Former Celtics Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Debate Jayson Tatum’s Greatness”:
Former Celtics Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Debate Jayson Tatum’s Greatness
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In the pantheon of Boston Celtics legends, few names carry the weight of Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett. Together, they brought championship glory back to Boston in 2008, re-establishing the Celtics as a dominant force in the modern NBA. But in a recent sit-down on Garnett’s show KG Certified, the two Hall of Famers engaged in a spirited debate about whether current Celtics star Jayson Tatum belongs in the conversation of all-time greats — both in green and gold and across the league.
Their candid exchange, equal parts praise and critique, has added a new layer to the ongoing conversation about Tatum’s legacy as he leads the Celtics on another deep playoff run. Is Tatum the next great Celtics cornerstone? Or does he still have something to prove to match the status of Boston’s revered icons?
Jayson Tatum has emerged as one of the NBA’s elite players since being drafted third overall by the Celtics in 2017. With four All-Star appearances, two All-NBA First Team honors, and multiple Eastern Conference Finals appearances under his belt, the 26-year-old forward has shouldered the expectations of a championship-starved franchise and an unforgiving fan base.
Yet, for all his statistical accomplishments and highlight-reel performances, the ultimate goal — an NBA championship — has eluded him. And according to Pierce and Garnett, that matters.
“Don’t get me wrong, Tatum is cold. Real cold,” Garnett said. “But you know in Boston, greatness ain’t just numbers. It’s about banners. It’s about legacy. You don’t get a seat at that table until you bring one home.”
Pierce agreed, though with a slightly softer edge.
“I love what Tatum’s doing. He’s maturing, learning how to lead. But when you talking Larry [Bird], Bill [Russell], even us — we had to deliver a chip,” Pierce added. “He’s on that path, but he’s not there yet.”
For both Pierce and Garnett, the Celtics’ standard is simple: titles define greatness. Garnett famously declared “Anything is possible!” after the 2008 title — a moment that still echoes through TD Garden. Pierce, the 2008 NBA Finals MVP, spent the majority of his career in Boston and is revered as one of the franchise’s most loyal and productive stars.
Their emphasis on championships isn’t just lip service. In Boston, where the Celtics have raised 17 championship banners to the rafters, fans measure players not just by their stats but by the banners they help raise.
“Boston ain’t like other cities,” Garnett said. “You can drop 30 a night, hit game-winners, and still be forgotten if you don’t win the big one.”
Tatum came agonizingly close in 2022, leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals before falling to the Golden State Warriors in six games. While he was statistically dominant throughout the playoffs, his performance in the Finals drew criticism for inconsistency and turnovers in key moments.
Despite their reservations about crowning Tatum just yet, neither Pierce nor Garnett denied the young star’s immense talent.
“He’s got one of the smoothest games I’ve seen,” Pierce said. “He’s 6’8″, can shoot it, handle it, post up. He’s got that Kobe mentality in spurts, you can see it.”
Garnett echoed those sentiments. “Tatum got tools. When he’s aggressive, there’s not many in the league who can stop him. The question is — can he keep that killer instinct game after game, year after year?”
The two former Celtics discussed Tatum’s maturity and development as a leader. Early in his career, Tatum leaned heavily on veterans like Al Horford and Marcus Smart for guidance. But as those voices have taken lesser roles or moved on, Tatum has had to assume the mantle of leadership.
“He’s starting to talk more, command more,” Pierce said. “You don’t just need talent. You gotta bring people with you, hold ‘em accountable.”
One of the central themes of the debate was whether it’s even fair to compare Tatum to past Celtics legends — or whether the evolution of the game makes those comparisons obsolete.
Garnett leaned toward holding everyone to the same standard.
“Ball is ball,” KG said bluntly. “I don’t care if it’s 2008 or 2025. Winners win. Leaders lead. Tatum can drop 50, but until he brings that city a title, he’s still on the journey.”
Pierce, while still a purist, admitted that the modern game is different — and harder to dominate due to its offensive explosion and the rise of superteams.
“It ain’t easy today,” Pierce said. “You got guys like Giannis, Jokic, Steph, Luka. It’s not like you got one team in your way. You got five. But still, pressure makes diamonds. I believe Tatum will get there.”
Both Pierce and Garnett touched on Tatum’s close relationship with the late Kobe Bryant, who served as a mentor to the Celtics star. Tatum has often honored Bryant publicly, wearing his number in practices, donning Kobe-inspired sneakers, and even texting the late legend before key playoff games.
Pierce acknowledged the influence but challenged Tatum to develop his own identity.
“Kobe was Kobe,” he said. “You can learn from him, but you gotta be you. You want people to say ‘that’s a Tatum move,’ not ‘he’s trying to be like Kobe.’”
Garnett nodded. “It’s cool to honor the past, but you gotta write your own script. Tatum’s got the pen now. Question is, what’s he gonna write?”
As the Celtics continue their strong 2025 postseason campaign, the pressure mounts once again for Tatum to deliver. With a healthy roster and one of the league’s best records, Boston is well-positioned to contend for a title — but nothing is guaranteed.
“If he gets it this year?” Garnett said with a grin. “Then we having a whole different conversation. Then he’s in the building with us.”
Pierce agreed. “That ring would silence everything. He gets one — he’s cemented.”
It’s a sentiment that echoes across Boston — admiration for what Tatum has already achieved, but a hunger for more. For a city that’s seen the likes of Bill Russell’s 11 titles, Larry Bird’s swagger and three MVPs, and Paul Pierce’s gritty Finals MVP run, greatness isn’t declared; it’s earned.
For a franchise as storied as Boston’s, being great means more than just highlight reels or All-Star nods. It means leading a team through the crucible of the playoffs and emerging with a ring.
Pierce and Garnett both reiterated this theme: legacy isn’t built in the regular season.
“You could average 30 and still not be a legend here if you don’t win,” Garnett said. “Boston’s different.”
Pierce, reflecting on his own journey, added: “I had to wait years before I got my moment. But once you do — the city never forgets.”
That’s the opportunity Tatum stands in front of now. With each playoff game, with each fourth-quarter takeover, he inches closer to the status that his predecessors demand he earn.
So where do Garnett and Pierce ultimately land on the question of Tatum’s greatness?
“He’s close,” Garnett said. “But not in the club yet.”
Pierce summarized it best: “He’s got the key. Now he just needs to open the door.”
The debate will rage on among fans, analysts, and former players. But one thing is certain: Jayson Tatum has the attention of the legends who paved the way — and they’re watching closely.
Whether he joins them in Celtics immortality depends not on his talent, but on the banner he can help raise.
Jayson Tatum stands at a critical juncture in his career — already elite, already respected, but not yet immortal. For Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, that final leap into greatness requires what every Celtics legend before him has earned: a championship.
Until then, the conversation continues, the comparisons persist, and the weight of Boston’s history presses down.
But should Tatum succeed, not only will he silence the doubters, but he’ll also finally earn a seat at the table — right alongside Pierce, Garnett, and the legends that made Boston basketball what it is today.
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