Jayson Tatum relishes in silencing critics with NBA championship

Jayson Tatum relishes in silencing critics with NBA championship originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON — Jayson Tatum was the subject of intense criticism throughout the Boston Celtics’ postseason run. Earlier this month, the 26-year-old superstar lamented being “the most scrutinized player in the playoffs.”

After Monday’s championship-clinching victory over the Dallas Mavericks, his six-year-old son Deuce delivered the one piece of feedback that will stick with him.

“He told me that I was the best in the world,” a jubilant Tatum told reporters. “I said, ‘You’re damn right I am.'”

Tatum backed up that claim with a 31-point, 11-assist masterclass in Boston’s 106-88 Game 5 win. He became the first player in franchise history to have at least 30 points and 10 assists in an NBA Finals game.

It was an undeniable performance that perfectly capped off his near decade-long quest for Banner 18.

“These last seven years have been a roller coaster, up and down,” Tatum said. “I had to listen to all the s— that people said about me, and tonight, it was worth it. Oh my God.”

The Celtics selected Tatum with the third pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. As a 19-year-old kid out of Duke, he immediately was expected to be the next face of the franchise after then-C’s president Danny Ainge traded down from No. 1 overall.

The following years were filled with memorable ups and devastating downs. Before this playoff run, Tatum led the Celtics to four Eastern Conference Finals berths and one NBA Finals appearance but failed to accomplish the ultimate goal.

With Banner 18 finally ready to be raised to the TD Garden rafters, he took a moment to reflect on the journey.

“This is going to be a night that I will remember for the rest of my life,” Tatum said. “From the game, the celebration, these moments. You know, over the last couple years, we had some tough losses at home in the playoffs. We’ve lost the NBA championship at home in front of our fans. We had a chance to beat Miami in Game 6 a few years ago and lost that one.

“So to have a big win, the biggest win that you could have in front of your home crowd, I felt like that was really…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/jayson-tatum-relishes-silencing-critics-055916075.html

Author : NBC Sports Boston

Publish date : 2024-06-18 05:59:16

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