Colin Cowherd Suggesting That Jayson Tatum's NBA Title Window Is Closed At 25 Years Old Isn't Even Good Trolling, It's Just Sad
I know, I know, this is bait. This is what Cowherd wants and it's how he's made a name for himself in the industry. But I'm sorry, I have to scratch this itch that has been annoying the shit out of me since the Celts 4 point loss on the road to SGA and the Thunder earlier this week.
By now we know the routine. The Celtics lose a close game to a good team with an exciting franchise player, we get takes like this that go viral and make absolutely no goddamn sense, then the Celts go like 3 weeks without losing, then they lose another close game to a good young player and around and around we go.
It happened when the Celts lost to the Wolves in OT with Tatum/Edwards, remember we were being told that Tatum had been passed by Edwards after the way Ant closed that game? It's now happening with SGA and the Thunder after their close win. Both games in which Tatum was pretty damn good by the way. And this is by no means a blog to discredit those players. They're incredible and are going to be awesome for years to come.
But listen to what Colin is suggesting here.
Jayson Tatum's title window has closed at age 25?? On a team that is 26-7 and has all their main pieces (with the Jrue/White extensions coming) signed for the foreseeable future? On what planet does that add up to his title window closing? What because there are other good players in the league? Guess what? They have to beat Tatum & the Celts too! Something only the Heat and the Warriors have been able to do in a playoff run as long as Tatum and Brown play.
Even his reasoning makes no sense. Tatum's title window is over because he has to play Giannis? The same Giannis that Tatum and the Celts have already eliminated from the postseason twice? His title window is closed because Luka is good? A player who hasn't even made a Finals yet? His title window is closed because SGA is on the rise and the young Thunder are good, even though we have no idea what they'll look like in a playoff series? His title window is closed because Wemby is going to be a superstar in two years? Are we suggesting the rebuilding Spurs are going to be competing for titles in 2-3 years?
Look, is it a guarantee that Tatum ever wins a ring in Boston? Of course not! Winning an NBA title is VERY hard to do. But nothing even remotely suggests that his title window has closed. The fact that there are other good players in the NBA does not mean the days of Jayson Tatum potentially winning a title are over. In fact, I would say it's patently insane to assume players who have never even accomplished anywhere near the postseason success Tatum has are more likely to win a title. We live in this world where the early playoff success is being used against Tatum, and I find that baffling. How is it a negative that he's made deep runs and fallen short, despite being way ahead of schedule with that shit when you look throughout NBA history?
I know, I'm giving Colin what he wants and these are things we as fans should just ignore and move on with our day, but given all the discourse around Tatum over the last few days, I just couldn't ignore it.