Jayson Tatum’s candid admission that Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was “probably the happiest person in the world” that Tatum didn’t win the NBA Finals MVP or play in two Olympic games offers an intriguing glimpse into their dynamic. While Tatum’s comments might seem lighthearted, they reveal much about Mazzulla’s coaching philosophy and approach to motivating his star player. When questioned by Jared Weiss of The Athletic:
“I talked to Joe a lot. Joe was probably the happiest person in the world that I didn’t win Finals MVP and I didn’t play in two of the games at the Olympics. That was odd. But if you know Joe, it makes sense.”
Mazzulla’s reaction might seem surprising at first, given the common expectation that coaches want their best players to accumulate as many accolades as possible. However, Mazzulla’s joy at Tatum missing out on individual accolades likely stems from a deeper coaching mentality. Mazzulla wants his superstar to remain hungry, driven, and always striving for more, refusing to let success breed complacency.
This past season was a significant one for Tatum and the Celtics. While Tatum led Boston to its first NBA title since 2008, he had to make sacrifices along the way. For the first time in his career, Tatum’s scoring average didn’t improve from the previous season.
His points per game dipped from 30.1 to 26.9, a drop largely attributed to the addition of high-caliber teammates Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis. The Celtics, with a stacked starting five that includes Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis, now have arguably the best lineup in the league, meaning Tatum no longer needed to carry as much of the offensive load.
Despite the slight dip in scoring, Tatum’s overall performance remained elite. He earned his third All-NBA First Team selection, finishing the season with averages of 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, shooting 47.1% from the field and 37.6% from beyond the arc.
Still, for Mazzulla, this was about more than just statistics and individual awards. He wants Tatum to reach even greater heights by pushing through the inevitable ups and downs of an NBA season, including moments when the spotlight is on someone else.
For Mazzulla, Tatum not winning Finals MVP was a reminder that there’s always something to chase, that one title isn’t the end goal but the beginning of building a dynasty. Tatum has already established himself as one of the league’s top players, but for the Celtics coach, the challenge now is ensuring that Tatum remains focused, motivated, and unrelenting in his pursuit of even greater success.
The Finals MVP ultimately went to Jaylen Brown, who also won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Tatum’s individual achievements were somewhat overshadowed by his teammate, and then in the Olympics, he faced further adversity by sitting out two games. For a player used to being the focal point, these experiences could have been frustrating. However, they may also serve as fuel for Tatum moving forward, a fact that Mazzulla likely relishes.
As the Celtics prepare to defend their title, Tatum’s relationship with Mazzulla is bound to play a key role in the team’s success. The Celtics are once again favorites in the Eastern Conference, and with Tatum leading the charge alongside Brown, Holiday, and Porzingis, they have the potential to contend for more championships.
Joe Mazzulla’s approach—keeping Jayson Tatum hungry and striving for more—could be the secret ingredient that pushes the Boston Celtics from being a one-time champion to a team capable of sustaining long-term dominance. For Tatum, missing out on the Finals MVP may sting, but with Mazzulla pushing him forward, it’s clear that the journey is far from over.
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