Jayson Tatum revealed the team’s mood ahead of the much-awaited post-season. The Boston Celtics have faced nothing but disappointment in the last few playoffs. The team reached closer to the ring multiple times but still couldn’t cross the line. However, this season, JT showed confidence in his side and opened up about the team’s only goal.
Featuring on tonight’s Inside Guys show, Tatum answered Shaquille O’Neal‘s pressing question. The big man asked how he keeps his teammates focused on the championship mission. The Celtics star said, “Experience is the best teacher… I think everybody on our team is in a perfect place in their career… the last thing for most of us… we all are tryna get over that hump.”
"Experience is the best teacher… I think everybody on our team is in a perfect place in their career… the last thing for most of us… we all are trynna get over that hump." @jaytatum0 speaks to the focus of the @Celtics heading into the playoffs pic.twitter.com/K5U1pq7Ezx
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 27, 2024
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The Celtics had a flying start to the season and continued to be consistent throughout the season. Eventually, they became the first team to qualify for the postseason. Currently, the team has around 10-odd games left in the regular season, with a sure-shot spot at the top of the East ladder.
Jayson Tatum & Co have enough time to tick all the boxes before stepping into the playoff and not repeat their past mistakes. In 2022, the Celtics took the relatively young Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry & Co. used their post-season experience and won the series in game 6. JT revealed that he had a tough time recovering from the loss. He said, “Those three, four days after (the NBA Finals), I was miserable,” reported SI.
Similarly, they took on the 8th-seeded Miami Heat in the East Conference Finals last year and lost the series in Game 7. This season, the Celts would go into the post-season with the baggage of two consecutive disappointments.
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Will Jayson Tatum & Co. cross the line this season?
The Celtics have all the necessary pieces to win the playoffs. Starting from two powerful offense heads, Tatum and Jaylen Brown, whom a two-way big man, Kristaps Porziņģis, will support. And in-form guards like Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, and Al Horford back them.
Apart from them, they also have trusted bench players in Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. Nevertheless, will this be enough for them to win the East? Teams like Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, and Milwaukee Bucks have the potential to upset the Celtics in the playoffs. Notably, the Heat could even repeat their 2023 Jimmy Butler magic.
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Will Jayson Tatum & Co. cross the line this season? Let us know in the comments below.
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