Celtics losing the NBA title is an image Jayson Tatum will ‘never forget’
What makes a superstar? One element of a superstar is one who not only triumphs in victory but is motivated in defeat. Months after losing in the 2021-22 NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has a lasting image in his mind, which is his motivation going into next season.
No matter what happens with those ongoing Kevin Durant for Jaylen Brown rumors, Tatum is showing to be a player highly motivated by the disappointment of letting a golden opportunity to win a title slip away.
During his interview with Bleacher Report’s Taylor Rooks, the Celtics star not only revealed that he played in those finals with a fractured wrist but addressed images of him working out with one Kevin Durant and also an image that he just can’t get out of his head.
"“Us walking off the court at home and seeing them celebrate on our floor,” Tatum said in the interview, as transcribed by NBC Sports Boston. “That is an image, a memory, a feeling that I’ll probably never forget.”"
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics let their NBA title hopes slip away
After taking a 2-1 lead in the series and on the brink of a commanding 3-1 lead, Tatum and the Celtics slipped back into old habits of isolation ball and turnovers. Steph Curry and the Warriors took advantage and ended the C’s mission for Banner No.18 at TD Garden in Game 6. No fight, no heart, no NBA title and not only did Tatum have to walk off the court in defeat, he had to watch the other team hoist the trophy on his own court.
Motivation? Heck yeah, you better believe it because it’s an image Tatum says he just can’t get off his mind. How often does he think about it? Well…
"“Every day,” Tatum revealed. “And it doesn’t help every time I see somebody. ‘Hey man, good job in the Finals. You’ll be back. I was rooting for you.’ I’m just constantly reminded of it every day. That’s the tough part about the offseason after you lose. Human nature would want you to be like, I just can’t wait to get back there. But it’s like, nope, you’ve got to start back over. You’ve got to take the proper steps, rest and recover. Get ready for training camp, go into training camp, preseason and start the regular season.”"
The takeaway of what Tatum revealed is that he understands that getting back to the Finals is not promised. The hard work, the cohesion of a team that came together in the second half of the season and the growth doesn’t end.
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As Tatum, Brown, Marcus Smart and the rest of the team learned from their Eastern Conference run during the bubble season and Tatum’s rookie season, they can’t just show up in a season and go through the motions. There is still a lot of work to do.
If the Boston Celtics decide to run it back with the addition of Malcolm Brogdon and Danilo Gallinari, that NBA Finals experience must serve as a learning experience. As the stars of this team, Tatum and Brown still haven’t reached their prime, which is a scary thing. The only thing stopping them is their own motivation and passion for the game and hunger in bringing banner No. 18 to Boston.
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At least in this offseason, Jayson Tatum appears to have it all. But all that talk means nothing if he doesn’t bring it on the court no matter if it is Brown he rolls it back with or an all-world player in Kevin Durant.