Even after coming up short in the NBA Finals, Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics have not lost any faith in Jayson Tatum and where he can lead them in the future.
In fact, after the series finale, Stevens spoke very highly of Tatum and encouraged him to get some rest and relax this summer.
“I just told him, ‘Go on vacation. Go get some rest,” Stevens said. “[He] gave us everything he had,” Stevens said. “He’s a superstar that doesn’t want to sit. What Jayson and Jaylen [Brown] have done in the playoffs, historically, at their ages, is rarified air.”
The Celtics shocked the world by taking the East this year. As a team with a young and inexperienced core of stars, nobody thought they would get past Brooklyn, Milwaukee, or even Miami.
So, even though they couldn’t close the deal, the Celtics deserve credit for getting as far as they did.
“Understand and relish in the disappointment of that series versus Golden State,” Reggie Miller said when asked what advice he’d give Tatum. “It’s painful. I’ve been there. At 24, the future is bright. To me, his star is only going to ascent and rise. If he can take that pain of how that felt and use it to his advantage, I think the Celtics have something special brewing there.”
Tatum, 24, has emerged as one of the best young players in the league. This past season, he averaged 26.9 points, 8 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game on 45.3% shooting.
He led the way for the Cs all year long and has served as a leader both on and off the court. Even now, in the aftermath of defeat, he and his team deserve to be celebrated. Making the Finals is never easy and should never be taken for granted.
