It’s been 16 years since the TD Garden began their season with a ceremony to celebrate their royalty status in the NBA. A record 18th banner will hang in the rafter when the Celtics take on the New York Knicks on opening night. Each player on the roster has a different experience attached to their triumph. For Jayson Tatum, it was a hurdle that he could finally overcome after many seasons of coming inches away from becoming a franchise legend.

His understanding since being a rookie has been clear. As part of the Celtics, competing for titles is the essence of the franchise. In his first year, he fearlessly faced LeBron James and the Cavs in the Conference Finals. It took another two trips and a loss in the NBA Finals before he could feel the joys of a title. “It felt like, ‘Damn, maybe this is not meant to be.’ Those thoughts creep into your mind,” he said of his leading moments to a maiden championship.

Although an emotionally challenging journey, Tatum is relieved having finally crossed the threshold. He saw his idols all do the same. Namely, he watched Kobe Bryant, the player he worshipped as a kid put on the elusive championship ring when the season begins. He too wants to savor the fruits of his hard work. To ensure it’s as pure as it can be, Tatum hasn’t even looked at the appearance of the Celtics’ rings.

“It’s going to be a surprise to all of us. I am going to have my family there. My mom and [my son], Deuce [Jayson, Jr.], will be courtside with all the fans that have been supporting us over the years. That moment it’s going to be special… You always will remember that moment when you won you got your first ring, you got to put it on. That is what all my favorite players did,” he added when speaking to Andscape. 

But as soon as the moment ends, so does the Celtics’ window for wandering over last year.

Jayson Tatum and the Celtics want more history

Despite the hanging of a historic banner, the Celtics’ drive to achieve more is far from extinguished. Rather, it seems to be brimming. At the helm of this relentless approach is the head coach Joe Mazzulla. “Just because something worked before doesn’t mean it’s going to work again. That’s the challenge. It tests you,” he says about the upcoming season.

That culture began in preseason. Unlike most teams, the Celtics’ preseason camp looked to emulate regular season games. Mazzulla doesn’t want to leave any stone unturned. Nor do Jayson Tatum & Co. “It was never just about just trying to win one right,” the flowering forward commented.

Considering their still powerful motivation to repeat, the Shamrocks are returning unchanged. The test though is now far more difficult than before. The East is a lot more competitive than last season. Additionally, as champions, they acknowledge the target that sits on their backs. Enduring the hardships and prevailing is the aim that is set for this season.

To retain the needed discipline and successfully attack the improved opposition, Mazzulla is starting the whole process all over again. So even though they hold a core that won a title last season, he doesn’t consider them “great” just yet. The entire contingent has bought into the philosophies of finding their identity once again.

This includes improving with every game and playing with the utmost tenacity and intent every night. The Shamrocks don’t want to waste the hoard of talent that they have due to complacency that can come with success. Jayson Tatum certainly doesn’t want to be a Celtic great with only one championship.

The group has all the possibility to win. And with a grounded mindset, it seems they are preparing for yet another fantastic season. Do you feel like the Boston Celtics can repeat their glory? Let us know your views in the comments below.