NBA writer apologizes for leaving Fox off Clutch Player of the Year ballot

May 30, 2023, 3:00 PM

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics greets Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat after the Heat defea...

Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics greets Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat after the Heat defeated the Celtics 103-84in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 29, 2023 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Gary Washburn, the Boston Globe’s national NBA writer and Celtics reporter, joined Kyle Draper and Chris Watkins on Chris & Co. Monday to talk about the Boston Celtics’ dramatic elimination from the playoffs.

But before the guys could let Washburn go, Draper had to ask something on behalf of all Sacramento Kings fans: How could he leave De’Aaron Fox off the ballot for the inaugural Clutch Player of the Year award?

Fox received 91 of the 100 first-place votes.

Washburn — whose ballot included Donovan Mitchell, Jalen Brunson, and Joel Embiid — joked with Sactown Sports about his process behind the vote.

“I didn’t even know there was like a clutch stat like that,” Washburn said. “I ain’t got nothing against De’Aaron, I love his game. I did not mean to take it out on De’Aaron, I have to do a better job of researching clutch stats.”

Additional topics discussed include:

  • If this season was a failure for not making the NBA Finals
  • Who are people pointing the finger at for Boston’s loss
  • Did Joe Mazzulla save his job by pushing the series against the Heat to seven games
  • If moves are made, which players are more likely to exit Boston this summer
  • Are Tatum and Brown good enough to win an NBA title together?

Click here to watch and listen to the full interview with Gary Washburn.

YouTube video

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NBA writer apologizes for leaving Fox off Clutch Player of the Year ballot