After winning the NBA championship, the Boston Celtics basked in the glory of their first title since 2008. As the confetti settled and the cheers faded, Jayson Tatum found himself at a pivotal moment. Despite Tatum leading the team with an average of 22.2 points per game over the series, the jubilant celebrations brought forth a different narrative: his All-Star teammate, Jaylen Brown, was awarded Finals MVP.

As the summer unfolded, Tatum faced another challenge. During Team USA’s run for Olympic gold, he was benched in two crucial games, against Serbia. This further fueled doubts about his status as a star. These experiences left Tatum with much to ponder heading into the new season.

As the Celtics celebrated their annual media day, Tatum shared insights into his relationship with head coach Joe Mazzulla. Tatu told The Athletic’s Jared Weiss about Mazzulla thought. “Joe was probably the happiest person in the world that I didn’t win Finals MVP and I didn’t play in two of the games at the Olympics. That was odd. But if you know Joe, it makes sense.”

According to The Athletic, Mazzulla was happy because he wanted Tatum “gifted potential sources of motivation”. This statement highlighted Mazzulla’s unique approach. On the one hand, Mazzulla views these slights as potentially inspiring Tatum to put on a clinical performance this season. On the other hand, Tatum seemed to have taken the disappointments in its stride. Does it it mean the player is prepared and raring to go?

As the Celtics gear up for the new season, Tatum is channeling his experiences into a ‘revenge tour,’ determined to silence critics and elevate his game. With Mazzulla’s statement, he aims to transform the narrative, proving he’s not just a champion but a key leader ready to drive the team forward.

The 2024-25 season: Jayson Tatum’s revenge tour?