Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is gearing up for the intense pressure of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, but he's determined to embrace it.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Tatum acknowledged the heightened stakes of competing for his team's 18th championship banner. \"I mean, you know the answer to that,\" Tatum shared when asked about the different levels of pressure. \"Of course. We only hang NBA championship banners, right? 17 of them. Some of the greatest players to ever play this game wore this uniform. All of us are honored to follow in their footsteps, the way they paved for us to live out our dream.\"
This marks Tatum's second appearance in the NBA Finals. Last year, he faced the Golden State Warriors at TD Garden in Boston but fell short, with the series ending 4-2. During that Finals, Tatum averaged 21.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and seven assists per game, drawing criticism for his performance.
In the 2023-24 season, Tatum has elevated his game, securing five consecutive All-Star selections and three straight All-NBA First Team honors. He boasts impressive regular-season averages of 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game. In the playoffs, his performance has been stellar, averaging 26 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game.
As the Finals approach, Tatum's focus remains on enjoying the challenge and leading the Celtics to another championship, inspired by the legacy of those who came before him.
Reference(s):
Celtics forward Jayson Tatum wants to 'enjoy' pressure of NBA Finals
cgtn.com