Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has grown in stature as the face of the Celtics’ franchise over the course of his eight-year-long NBA career. Although Tatum has achieved many great things in his time, he is well aware of what it means to be a legend in Boston.
During an appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, Jayson Tatum shed light on how he is chasing all-time greats like Larry Bird while playing for the Celtics. While drawing a comparison, however, the six-time All-Star indirectly took a shot at the Memphis Grizzlies.
“A lot of times, former players come back,” Tatum stated. “Whether it be Rondo, KG, Paul, or like, Cedric Maxwell, who works for the team. They talk about the ’86 Celtics. The thing they all have in common is that they won. They won one or multiple championships.”
“So [when] you’re striving to be a great player, it’s like, the career I have right now, if I had it with the Grizzlies, I would have a statue outside the arena. But now I’m chasing people like Larry Bird, where the standard is so much higher.”
For all intents and purposes, Jayson Tatum is an incredibly accomplished player. Despite not winning the Finals MVP, Tatum is a bona fide champion with the Boston Celtics. Additionally, he is a six-time All-Star and has five All-NBA selections (four first-team selections).
Tatum’s comment is a jab at the Grizzlies, who have yet to win an NBA championship. Still, the organization has been graced with some immensely talented players, many of whom are considered all-time greats in their own right.
For the most part, the claim about a statue may not be misplaced. If a superstar were to bring a championship to Memphis, there may be a solid case for them to be immortalized in that fashion.
Jayson Tatum is chasing something similar in Boston. While he has undoubtedly cemented his reputation as a superstar, it is also abundantly clear that he is nowhere near seeing his jersey number hanging from the rafters at the TD Garden.
This is not to say that Tatum isn’t on the path. With averages of 26.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game last season, the Celtics’ forward seems to be in his prime. With a team that is capable of becoming a perennial title contender, he is in the ideal position to cement his status as a franchise legend.
On that note, this season has been quite interesting for Boston. Despite Jayson Tatum’s absence, the Celtics have managed to place second in the East, boasting a 29-17 record. With Jaylen Brown carrying a majority of the load, the Celtics have displayed immense resilience, raising questions about Tatum’s importance in the greater scheme of things.
Boston’s title aspirations undoubtedly hinge on Jayson Tatum’s imminent return from injury. But given how the team has performed as a unit, the Celtics could be risking team chemistry by bringing their superstar back into the fray.
