Jayson Tatum expressed a sense of relief after the Boston Celtics captured the 2024 NBA Finals, acknowledging the pressure he felt to solidify his place among the franchise’s all-time greats by winning a championship.
“To be a part of Celtics history, you have to have won a championship. We have 18 now. All the best players here have won a championship,” Tatum said. “You are held to the highest standard. You at least have to win one. It felt good to get that. I’m happy about that.”
For Tatum, winning the title wasn’t just about personal achievement but also fulfilling the high expectations set by the Celtics’ legendary history.
Now, with Banner 18 hanging in the rafters, Tatum knows the challenge doesn’t end there. He emphasized that while the championship was special, the team must quickly shift its focus to the new season, understanding that every opponent will be eager to knock them off.
“Can we continue to want more? It’s not time for us to wait for people to attack us. No. What we did last [season] was special. But after ring night, [expletive] that because in a new season everyone is gunning for us in a championship,” Tatum explained.
“We have to get better one game at a time. That was when we were at our best last year. We didn’t skip no steps. We didn’t look past nobody.”
Tatum’s mindset for the upcoming season is clear: the Celtics cannot become complacent. They must continue to improve and embrace the new challenges that come with defending a title, keeping the same work ethic and focus that led them to their championship success.
Jayson Tatum: We Have To Get Better One Game At A Time https://t.co/aTRQ8qxIB4
— RealGM (@RealGM) October 21, 2024
