Jayson Tatum feels like his game doesn’t always get the credit it deserves. On First Take, the Celtics star admitted that being one of the best players in the league comes with constant criticism, though he knows plenty of fans still appreciate what he brings to the floor.
“I’m certain I’m not the only person that feels like they don’t get enough credit, I think that’s just the nature of being one of the best players in the NBA,” said Tatum. “I know there’s a lot of fans out there that appreciate what I do.”
Tatum, 27, has one of the best resumes in the league on paper. With eight years of experience, Tatum is a champion, a six-time All-Star, and a five-time All-NBA player. For his career, Tatum averages 23.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game on 45.9% shooting. Despite his status as one of the most accomplished NBA stars, Tatum is often overlooked in discussions for the best player in the league.
Even in his best statistical season so far (30.1 points per game in 2022-23), Tatum finished fourth in MVP voting, and it’s as high as he’s ever gotten. During the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, he barely saw the court as coach Steve Kerr deferred to his more proven teammates like LeBron James and Kevin Durant.
That’s on top of the fans and analysts who speculated for years about a shakeup in Boston. Since he first joined Jaylen Brown, Tatum, and his Celtics teams have been involved in countless rumors that threaten to split up the chemistry they worked so hard to build.
Amid all the disrespect, Tatum is out to prove that he’s a cut above what the average critic thinks of him. Of course, coming off a torn Achilles tendon, he’s facing new and unique challenges that have pushed him to the limit.
According to Tatum, the recovery period has been tough, even if progress has been steady. The grind to return to action was intimidating at first, and Tatum even contemplated retirement before eventually settling on making a comeback.
While he hasn’t ruled out a return for this campaign, most experts believe Tatum is better off waiting until next season to try playing again. After trading away several key players, including Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, the Celtics are in no position to compete right now, and the timeline has shifted.
Provided he doesn’t rush his return, Tatum has as good a chance as anyone to come back at full strength and have the best seasons of his career. If that happens, Jayson can finally claim victory over all the doubters who questioned his game. If not, his latest comments could come back to bite him.
Tatum has heard the criticism for years, but he isn’t letting it shake his confidence. Whether fans recognize it or not, his résumé already speaks volumes, and if he returns from injury at full strength, he’ll have the chance to silence the doubters once and for all.
