“That's not the Mamba mentality”: Kendrick Perkins shreds Jayson Tatum for failing to show killer instinct during Boston Celtics’ struggles

The Boston Celtics are in trouble. After two stunning losses at home to the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, pressure is mounting fast on Jayson Tatum and the defending champions. Once seen as overwhelming favorites, the Celtics now trail 0-2 heading to Madison Square Garden, and former teammate-turned-analyst Kendrick Perkins isn’t holding back.With Game 3 set for Saturday, May 10, all eyes are on Tatum, who’s been called out for failing to embody the mindset of his late mentor, Kobe Bryant.On Wednesday, May 7, the Boston Celtics collapsed late in Game 2 at TD Garden, falling 91-90 after the New York Knicks closed on a blistering 23-6 run. It was a gut-punch loss, especially for a team that had swept New York during the regular season. But while the Knicks surged, Boston’s brightest star dimmed. Jayson Tatum, Boston’s go-to guy, has been a shell of his usual self, and the criticism is getting louder.ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins didn’t mince words during an appearance on First Take, going directly at Tatum’s lack of fire. “That’s not the ‘Mamba Mentality.’ Way far from it,” Perkins said on Thursday, referring to Tatum’s self-professed connection to the late Kobe Bryant. “He’s been on record saying how he and Kobe Bryant’s relationship was being a mentor to him.”Perkins wasn’t finished. On that same day’s episode of Get Up, he added, “At some point, Jayson Tatum’s gotta say, ‘I’m the best player on the floor. I cannot be guarded.’… He’s one of the most elite scorers in the game today, and I just don’t see that tenacity. I don’t see that dog in him.”So far, the numbers back Perkins up. Tatum has been ice-cold through two games—just 28.6% from the field, including a brutal 5-for-19 outing in Game 2. His shooting woes mirror Boston’s overall struggles to close out games. Despite averaging 26.8 points per game during the regular season, Tatum has yet to look like the superstar the Celtics need right now.The criticism isn’t just about offense either. Perkins pointed to a lack of effort on both ends of the court. “Last time I checked, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are supposed to be two-way players,” he said. “Are they defending at a high level? I mean, at some point, it’s time for Jayson Tatum to take that leap.”Also Read: Bold bet ends in painful reality: Paul Pierce walks 20 miles barefoot to work after Boston Celtics' shocking Game 2 loss vs. New York KnicksWith the series shifting to New York for Game 3 on Saturday and Game 4 on Monday, the Celtics face a steep hill. Boston still has the firepower to turn things around, but it starts with their star. If Tatum doesn’t bounce back in a big way, the defending champs could find their title defense cut short. Right now, the clock’s ticking—and the critics aren’t letting up.