Brad Stevens calls out voter who left Jayson Tatum off their All-Rookie ballot

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics looks on during a game against the Washington Wizards at TD Garden on March 14, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens isn’t happy that his star rookie Jayson Tatum wasn’t a unanimous choice for the All-Rookie team.

On Tuesday afternoon, the NBA All-Rookie teams were announced. Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons, Utah’s Donovan Mitchell, Boston’s Jayson Tatum, Los Angeles Laker Kyle Kuzma and Chicago’s Lauri Markkanen were the first team selection. Unsurprisingly, Simmons and Mitchell garnered unanimous votes. Surprisingly, Tatum did not; missing out by one vote.

First-Team All-Rookie

Ben Simmons, Philadelphia (200 points)
Donovan Mitchell, Utah (200 points)
Jayson Tatum, Boston (199 points)
Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles (193 points)
Lauri Markkanen, Chicago (173 points)

Second-Team All-Rookie

Dennis Smith, Jr., Dallas (96 points)
Lonzo Ball, Los Angeles (87 points)
John Collins, Atlanta (76 points)
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento (75 points)
Josh Jackson, Phoenix (45 points)

Brad Stevens wasn’t pleased with Tatum missing the unanimous selection. When asked his thoughts, Stevens didn’t hold back.

Brad Stevens on Jayson Tatum missing unanimous All-Rookie by one vote:

"Somebody made a mistake."
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) May 22, 2018

Tatum averaged 13.9 points and five rebounds in 30.5 minutes per game this season. His shooting percentages worked out to just under 48 percent overall from the field and 43 percent from 3. In this year’s playoffs, he has shown signs of becoming a potential superstar. He’s averaging exactly 18 points per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor. Tatum’s role has increased due to the injury to Kyrie Irving, while also stepping in for Gordon Hayward, who has played in only five minutes this season, injuring his leg in the first game of the year.

While a unanimous vote isn’t high on the average person’s priority list, for someone like Tatum, it could be considered a slap in the face. Tatum has more than proven he’s instrumental in the success of the Celtics. It’s hard to make a valid argument that there are five other rookies better than him this season. But one voter chose not to give him his just due.

Next: Can the 76ers really add LeBron James and Kawhi Leonard?

The Celtics face the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5 tonight. (May 23)

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