Though the Boston Celtics are struggling, Jayson Tatum appears to be a lock to start the NBA All-Star game for a fifth straight year.

Tatum was initially called for the technical foul for a hand slap — one of Tatum’s regular reactions — after being whistled for a foul.

First, the aforementioned free throws by Tatum — after scoring 38 points and putting his team in a position to win, Tatum took an inbounds pass and had an opportunity to make two free throws and put his team up by five with 13 seconds remaining. As an added bonus, Tatum would have cracked 40 points for the second time this year.

Instead of overvaluing individual accolades and pure scoring, the St. Louis native has learned how to give the game what it needs .

Boston Celtics star forward Jayson Tatum has established himself as one of the best players in the league. More Celtics: Former Celtics Star Accuses Doc Rivers

The Boston Celtics are 12-9 since December 1st. Joe Mazzulla’s team has developed some concerning trends, ranging from inconsistent production to a worrying lack of focus on the defensive end.Due to the Celtics’ struggles,

Or at least that is the position that was taken by the Boson Globe Celtics beat writer Gary Washburn on a recent episode of the CLNS Media "Celtics Beat" podcast in conversation with cohosts Adam Kaufman and Evan Valenti.

The ongoing verbal clash involving former NBA guard Brandon Jennings and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum welcomed another member Wednesday -- the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors defeated the Celtics 110-97,

Following the upset Wednesday, the Raptors' social media team opted to troll five-time All-Star Boston power forward Jayson Tatum, posting a Celtics-referencing shamrock, the game's final margin, and a picture of former longtime NBA point guard Brandon Jennings wearing a hooded sweatshirt of his Milwaukee Bucks-era self.