Jayson Tatum led the Boston Celtics to their first NBA championship in 16 years.
Since being drafted in 2017, Tatum has been on a mission to become a champion. In a chat with Benjamin Hochman, he shared how winning the NBA Finals felt like lifting a huge weight off his shoulders. The Celtics had come close many times but always fell short.
โIt has been a crazy summer,โ Tatum said. โWas fortunate enough to win my second gold medal with the national team… And to finally win NBA championship, thatโs something that Iโve been working (toward) for a very, very long time. Iโve gotten extremely close a few times, and finally got over the hump. So that was special. That felt like the weight of the world was off my shoulders after that one.”
Now that he’s achieved his dream and will soon receive his championship ring on Oct. 22 before facing the New York Knicks, Tatum needs to keep his passion alive. The toughest part about reaching your goal is finding new ways to stay motivated and continue pushing forward.
Challenges Ahead:
Joe Mazzulla’s squad now has a target on its back. Every NBA team will aim to make an impression by beating the reigning champs. Boston must be ready for everyone’s best shot if they want to defend their title successfully.
โWe had a hell of a team last year,” Tatum remarked. “It was so fun to be part of that journey โ dominating the regular season and going 16-3 in the playoffs wasn’t easy at all. We played some really good teams. Itโs exciting to run it back (in 2024-25). Same team coming back โ weโre even more motivated to win another one.โ
Fans might think it’s thrilling yet nerve-wracking as they anticipate another intense season.
Tatum often talks about legacy and wants his name mentioned alongside Celtics legends from past eras . Winning this title puts him and Jaylen Brown closer but still not quite there yet.
The Celtics are historically one of basketball’s most successful franchises; if Tatum wants his jersey retired someday, he must stay driven and keep winning at top levels .
This upcoming season is crucial for cementing his legacy further; Boston arguably still boasts the league’s best roster . A second consecutive championship would undoubtedly alter perceptions around Tatumโs impact on both city & sport alike .
What do you think? Can they do it again?