Jayson Tatum is now an NBA champion.
However, even after the Boston Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks, he still feels the sting from his first NBA Finals trip. The Celtics won the title with a Game 5 victory in Boston, but on a recent episode of The Old Man and the Three podcast, Tatum shared that he wished they had clinched it on Dallas’ home court.
He remembers how it felt when the Golden State Warriors celebrated their championship win in Boston two years ago.
Tatum said to Bleacher Report: "I would have preferred to win on the road honestly," reflecting on Boston’s 107-89 Game 5 home win. "Just because I know what it felt like for somebody to win a championship on my home court. I wanted that get-back. Like I wanted to win in Dallas. Because I’ve seen the Warriors celebrate on our home court and that s–t was devastating."
Reflecting on Missed Opportunities:
Boston had a chance to sweep Dallas with a 3-0 series lead heading into Game 4. But Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and their team fought back fiercely, winning 122-84 and avoiding a sweep.
The Celtics bounced back after losing Game 4, securing an 18-point victory in Game 5. This not only gave Tatum his first ring but also marked Boston’s league-leading 18th title, putting them ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Fans might think it’s interesting how athletes remember past defeats so vividly.
In sports, every player has dreams of big moments and redemption arcs that don’t always pan out as planned. Sometimes these moments are what drive them forward.
What do you think about Tatum’s wish? Do you agree or disagree?
