Jayson Tatum helped the Boston Celtics snap their 16-year trophy drought by successful the 2024 NBA championship. The St. Louis native had been working towards changing into a champion since being drafted with the third general decide within the 2017 NBA Draft.
Throughout a current interview with Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tatum admitted that successful the NBA Finals lifted a major weight off his shoulders. He famous how the Celtics had come near the last word success on a number of events however couldn’t take that last step.
“It has been a loopy summer season,” Tatum mentioned. “Was lucky sufficient to win my second gold medal with the nationwide staff. … And to lastly win NBA championship, that’s one thing that I’ve been working (towards) for a really, very very long time. I’ve gotten extraordinarily shut a number of occasions, and eventually obtained over the hump. In order that was particular. That felt like the load of the world was off my shoulders after that one.”
Now that he is reached his objective and can obtain his championship ring on Oct. 22 forward of the Celtics’ season opener in opposition to the New York Knicks, Tatum should discover a approach to preserve the hearth burning. The toughest half about attaining one thing you have been chasing is studying to readjust your mentality as you try to preserve pushing ahead.
Joe Mazzulla’s staff has a goal on its again. Each different roster within the NBA might be trying to make a press release once they play the Celtics. Beating the reigning champions is a fast approach to construct some momentum. As such, Boston will get each staff’s finest effort. It have to be up for the problem of assembly that effort degree head-on.
“We had a hell of a staff final yr. It was so enjoyable to be part of that — the journey that we had, how we type of dominated the common season and went 16-3 within the playoffs,” Tatum mentioned. “It appeared prefer it was straightforward, however it wasn’t. It was laborious. Performed some actually good groups. And it’s thrilling to have the ability to run it again (in 2024-25). Similar staff coming again — we’re much more motivated to win one other one.”
Tatum has typically spoken about being pushed by legacy. He wants to be spoken of in the identical breath because the Celtics greats earlier than him. Successful a championship has put him and Jaylen Brown on the outskirts of that dialogue.
Nevertheless, the Celtics are one of the crucial profitable franchises in league historical past. If the All-NBA ahead really needs his title hanging from the rafters when he finally retires, he should discover a approach to keep motivated and continue winning at the highest level.
That begins with the upcoming season. Boston nonetheless has the perfect roster within the league. A second straight championship will undoubtedly change how everybody talks about Tatum, his legacy and his impression on town of Boston.
