As the Boston Celtics lick their wounds after a devastating Game 2 loss at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, the echoes of disappointment resonate not just among fans but also within the analyst community.Kendrick Perkins, the outspoken former NBA player and current ESPN analyst, did not mince words when he targeted Celtics‘ star Jayson Tatum for his lackluster postseason performance.

“Enough is enough,” Perkins bellowed on a post-game show, his frustration palpable. “I’m so over Jayson Tatum. When is he going to arrive? He couldn’t wait to get to the postseason. Well, it’s here. What are you going to do about it? It’s in your hands.”

Tatum, whose regular season performance had him on the cusp of MVP discussions, has seemingly vanished when it matters most. In Game 2, Tatum’s inability to find the basket was glaring. Shooting a mere 7-17 from the field and 2-5 from beyond the arc, he tallied 25 points, but with a +/- of -22, his presence was more detrimental than beneficial.

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His postseason stats paint an even bleaker picture: a career-low 40.7% from the field and a dismal 26.8% from three. The drop from his regular-season shooting accuracy-from 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from downtown-is not just a slump; it’s a freefall.

With the series now tied and shifting to Cleveland for Game 3, the pressure mounts. “The Celtics led the NBA with a 64-18 record during the regular season, losing just four games at home,” Perkins continued, his tone a mixture of disbelief and anger. “And now this? It’s embarrassing. Tatum needs to step up or step aside because this isn’t just about one game. It’s about a whole season that’s at risk of being wasted.”

As the Celtics prepare for an uphill battle in Cleveland, all eyes will be on Tatum. Can he reclaim his form, or will his continued struggles jeopardize Boston’s championship aspirations? Only time will tell, but for now, Perkins’ harsh words ring out as a siren call for a superstar in crisis.