The wait was finally over. On June 17, 2024, the Celtics ended their decade-plus drought for the NBA Championship with a 4-1 Final series win over the Dallas Mavericks. Jayson Tatum was one of the architects of it. As the green confetti filled the arena, the giant screen at the TD Garden lit up with the words—“World Champions.” And that’s where the dispute started. Even though NBA fans would agree with it, the European side took offense to the boastful declaration. Soon, an open challenge came from the EuroLeague champion Panathinaikos head coach Ergin Ataman to fight for an unofficial world champion title. However, the Celtics remained silent until now, when Jayson Tatum burst Ataman’s bubble.

According to Mundo Deportivo’s report translated by Basket News, Tatum confessed that he doesn’t consider hypothetical scenarios. “I don’t think it’s going to happen, and I guess it’s a super competitive format,” the forward said. “I guess it’s fun to talk about and debate about, but I doubt it’s going to happen anytime soon.”

Thrilled with the championship win after 16 long years, the Boston Celtics couldn’t hold back their emotions. The official page on X also called themselves “World Champion Boston.” It didn’t go well with Ataman, who had just won the EuroLeague with the Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens against Real Madrid. For him, the Celtics’ statement seemed to nearly dismiss his third EuroLeague title as an HC.

“You are not the world champion,” Ataman boldly said on Rafine TV. The Turk then put forward the challenge, “If you want to get the world champion title, come and beat us, the EuroLeague champion. If you are so confident, I say come and beat us in OAKA.” While Joe Mazzulla would say “Challenge accepted” in the most Barney Stinson way to any dare, Tatum stated the reality that the cross-continent match-up would not happen anytime soon. For now, JT has bigger goals to achieve.

Jayson Tatum shares his major focus ahead of the 2024-25 regular season

Jayson Tatum’s objectives align with Joe Mazzulla‘s. Both of them are seemingly not satisfied with one title as the team looks to have a death grip on their “World Champions” tag. So, before heading into the new season, the 26-year-old disclosed what he wants to achieve. JT told TNT reporter Jared Greenberg that he doesn’t require any additional motivation ahead of the upcoming season.

“The motivation came from not being satisfied,” Tatum revealed. Further clarifying his focus, the 5-time All-Star said, “Larry Bird is the best Celtic to ever wear this uniform. That’s the guy that I’m chasing.” He quickly added that even if he cannot be like the Celtic legend that “the Hick from French Lick” was, he wants to get as close as feasible.

Larry Legend has a beautifully decorated cupboard of accolades, including three championship trophies and two Finals MVP. Tatum has acquired one title with the team, and now he is eyeing the individual trophy as well, along with the Larry O’Brien Trophy. The way the Celtics have played in the preseason, winning four out of five games, the latter does not seem impossible in their title-defending season or, as Mazzulla likes to call it, another title-chasing season.