In a recent chat with the media, Celtics star Jayson Tatum opened up on the path ahead after winning the 2024 NBA championship. With the same group coming back, Tatum says he’s confident that the Celtics can go back-to-back.
“We had a hell of a team last year,” said Jayson. “It was so fun to be a part of that. The journey that we had and how we kind of dominated the regular season and then went 16-3 in the playoffs. It looked like it was easy but it wasn’t, it was hard… we played some really good teams. It’s exciting to be able to run it back — we have the same team coming back. We’re even more motivated to win another one.”
Jayson Tatum on the upcoming Celtics season:
“It’s exciting to be able to run it back — we have the same team coming back. We’re even more motivated to win another one.”
(Via @stltoday) pic.twitter.com/LJA6S4oxhi
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) August 21, 2024
After years of trying, and failing, to make a run in the East, doubts were beginning to surface about Tatum and his ability to lead his own team to the championship. In 2023, the scrutiny for Tatum and the Celtics reached an all-time high when they lost in the East Finals against the Heat after losing the first three games in the series.
Fortunately, the 2023-24 campaign ended up being the best stretch of Tatum’s basketball career. Last season, the Celtics dominated the field and finished at the top of the East with a 64-18 record. They proceeded to lose just three games over the next four playoff rounds to win the championship in convincing fashion. It was the franchise’s first Finals win since 2008, and the first championship ever for Tatum, Brown, and sharpshooting big man, Kristaps Porzingis.
While his teammate and co-star, Jaylen Brown, won the MVP for the Eastern Conference and the Finals, they couldn’t have done it without Tatum. He averaged 26.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game in the regular season and 25.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists through 19 playoff games.
Of course, Tatum also played a part in helping Team USA win the gold this summer at the Paris Olympic Games. While his role was somewhat limited, he was still able to give some valuable minutes to the USA and provide an offensive spark off the bench.
Now that the tournament is over, Tatum can shift his focus to preparing for next season. With the Celtics set to run it back, they are poised to defend their status as the top team in the East and make another run for the Larry O’Brien trophy. With, arguably the best roster in the league, the odds will be in the Celtics’ favor to win it all in 2025 but it will not be an easy feat.
With tough challengers in the East, such as the Pacers, Knicks, and the new-look 76ers, wins may not come as easily for Tatum and his crew as they did last season. But with valuable championship experience under his belt, Tatum should be more equipped than ever before to lead his team to victory and solidify his place as one of the best players in the game.
Only time will tell if the Celtics can go back-to-back but they have every reason to be confident in their chances right now given how dominant they’ve been as a team over the past 10 months.
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