The outside world’s full-court press against the Celtics

It’s been about a month and a half since the Boston Celtics captured their record 18th NBA championship. Since then, it feels like we’ve seen nothing but dubious attempts from outsiders who are trying to create a rift in a team that is set up for long-term success.

Jayson Tatum has been the target of ridiculous criticism, Jaylen Brown was snubbed from the United States Olympic team, and then when Derrick White was named as the replacement for Kawhi Leonard, people just used that as a way to divide Boston’s set of stars.

You’d think that the Celtics finally getting over the hump would’ve sparked discourse about Tatum and Brown having the potential to become one of the greatest duos in league history, perhaps about the foresight Brad Stevens has had when building the roster, or even the growth of Joe Mazzulla.

Sure, those things have been pointed out on a local level. People like myself and other members of the blog are more than happy to discuss them.

On a larger national scale, no one has any interest in that.

Instead, talking heads have more interest in making up things to criticize Tatum for to try and cut him down.

During a recent episode of the “7 pm in Brooklyn” podcast, former NBA star Carmelo Anthony recently claimed that JT isn’t taken seriously as a face of the NBA because he lacks “aura.”

I mean, is this what we’re doing now?

Up until a few months ago, I’d never heard anyone use the word “aura” in a sports discussion. Now we’ve got former NBA players pointing to it as a reason why Tatum shouldn’t be held as highly as some of the league’s other stars.

Anthony’s comments made waves, so much so that Stephen A. Smith dedicated a segment of “The Stephen A. Smith Show” to further the discussion.

Tatum just led the world-champion Celtics in total points, rebounds, and assists throughout the playoffs and the national media is talking about the mythical measurement of aura and his benching in the Olympic opener.

Fans all over social media wasted no time getting off their “Tatum doesn’t belong on Team USA” takes, despite his solid play in the preliminary games.

He later came out and…