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 latest interview with Benjamin Hochman of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Tatum admitted that successful the NBA Finals lifted a big 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 remaining step.
“It has been a loopy summer time,” Tatum stated. “Was lucky sufficient to win my second gold medal with the nationwide group. … 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 couple of instances, and at last received over the hump. In order that was particular. That felt like the burden 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 maintain the hearth burning. The toughest half about reaching one thing you’ve got been chasing is studying to readjust your mentality as you try and maintain pushing ahead.
Joe Mazzulla’s group has a goal on its again. Each different roster within the NBA shall be seeking to make an announcement once they play the Celtics. Beating the reigning champions is a fast approach to construct some momentum. As such, Boston will get each group’s finest effort. It should be up for the problem of assembly that effort stage head-on.
“We had a hell of a group final 12 months. 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 stated. “It appeared prefer it was straightforward, nevertheless it wasn’t. It was exhausting. Performed some actually good groups. And it’s thrilling to have the ability to run it again (in 2024-25). Identical group 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.
Nonetheless, the Celtics are one of the profitable franchises in league historical past. If the All-NBA ahead actually desires his title hanging from the rafters when he ultimately 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 one of the best roster within the league. A second straight championship will undoubtedly change how everybody talks about Tatum, his legacy and his affect on the town of Boston.