Chowder and Champions
Fansided

Jayson Tatum promises Celtics will have ‘more pop’ following blowout loss

By Tarringo Basile-vaughan

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates by putting one finger in the air against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 28: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates by putting one finger in the air against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 28, 2023 in Washington, DC. 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Yes, yes, we know…bad games happen.  The Boston Celtics haven’t been the only team dropping games to the bottom of the NBA heap, but the timing of some of those losses will ultimately end up being the difference between the No. 1 seed and No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

In an 82-game marathon, Celtics star Jayson Tatum knows there will be games like Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards, but a 130-111 loss with his boy Bradly Beal sitting on the sidelines shouldn’t happen with the team vying to re-capture the No. 1 seed.

Had they taken care of business, Thursday night’s showdown against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks would’ve been fire.

Boston Celtics need to bring the energy the rest of the season

While it still will be, the stakes are much lower with just six games left in the regular season. In putting the game behind them, what Tatum is focused on is how his team responds against a team standing in their way to another Finals appearance.

"“We gotta respond, and I feel like we will,” Tatum said, as transcribed by MassLive.com.  “We will play better.  We will come out with more pop.  We will come out with more energy.  More focus.  Just learning from this game, not caring at all.  Move onto the next one.  All I care about is how we respond – and I’m sure that we will.”"

The one thing about the Boston Celtics this season, is they usually show up for the big games.  Even with no Tatum or Jaylen Brown in their last meeting, the Celtics took the Bucks to overtime in Milwaukee.  They should’ve won that game.  So, in a sense, you can see why the Celtics may not care about capturing homecourt advantage, but this is a team that always makes things harder for themselves.

Chowder And Champions
Chowder And Champions /

Want your voice heard? Join the Chowder And Champions team!

Write for us!

Perhaps, that is what is needed to get them to play with that energy and that “pop.”  Maybe it is just about the team needing a challenge.  In the last two games against the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs, the Celtics found a way to step on the pedal.  When they did, they ran those teams off the floor.  The issue with this squad is it is not always that easy.  It seems Tuesday night was their latest reminder of that.

"“You never want to have these moments, but somehow, someway, they tend to happen throughout the course of 82 games,” Tatum continued.  “They count as one, whether it’s right now or whether it’s in December.  It’s still a loss and you just gotta move on from it.”"

Next. Boston Celtics have no urgency when it comes to playoff seeding. dark

How Jayson Tatum and the Celtics move on will be interesting to watch, especially against a Bucks team that has turned it on in the second half of the season.  With both teams pretty much healthy, the showdown on Thursday night will be a test of the team’s depth, focus and energy heading into the playoffs.

As for Tatum himself, this game will display just how hungry he is.

Home/Boston Celtics