Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are playing consistent basketball as they lead their way in the Eastern Conference with the best record in the NBA (28-7). The Celtics recently defeated the Indiana Pacers 118-110, winning their second game in a row.
Tatum was exceptional on the night as he delivered with 31 points, 13 rebounds and six assists. He shot 8/13 from beyond the arc and played a big role in helping his team win the encounter. After the game, he shared how he is not seeking individual praise rather he wants to claim the title.
“I don’t look for that praise anymore. I have accomplished a lot in this league. I am at that point where I want to get back to the Finals, help us win a championship,” Jayson Tatum told media afterwards, via NBC Sports Boston.
He shares how he is doing everything for the team and does not care about individual appreciation as he is focused on winning the ultimate prize. “What I am doing, I may not win an MVP, just help us continue to be the best team in the league. If people recognize it, they see it, I appreciate it, if they don’t, that’s ok,” Tatum added.
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla had high praise for Tatum’s performances this season. Mazzulla also shared how fans take his performances for granted and expect him to perform at this level in every game.
“This is what happens when you have a guy like him you take him for granted sometimes,” Joe Mazzulla said. “I was telling him when you get to the point where you are so good from a basketball standpoint, and you want to get better and you have such high character, they start to just see it as you are supposed to do that.”
Mazzulla highlighted how much Tatum has grown as a player in the last few years. He pointed out how Tatum has exponentially been more patient with his drives and how his assist average has also gone up. His overall IQ has gone up and his ability to judge situations.
“His growth as a player in the last month has exponentially jumped. The patience he is playing with on drives, his potential assist average, his screening, his ability to know he needs his teammates to make them better. He had 38, 13 and six. If another player in the league does that, that’s all they talk about,” Mazzulla pointed out.
Tatum has appeared in 33 games so far with averages of 27.5 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 4.5 apg, on 36.7% shooting from beyond the arc. His exceptional performances have helped the Celtics maintain their great record and therefore they are a contender to win the NBA Championship this season.
