Jayson Tatum spoke honestly about the championship pressure surrounding the Celtics as the franchise prepares for Game 1 against the Mavericks.
Tatum is a five-time NBA All-Star, named to the All-NBA team four times and won the ECF MVP in 2022, but he has yet to win a championship.
He was asked Wednesday if there was a different level of pressure playing for a franchise trying to get a record 18 chips.
“I mean, you know the answer to that,” Tatum said. “That’s right.
“We only hang NBA championship banners, right? 17 of them. Some of the greatest players who ever played the game wore this uniform. We are all honored to follow in their footsteps, the way they set us up to achieve our dreams.
“Actually, yes, if you want to be one of the stars to wear this uniform, all the best before you win the tournament. That’s what we try to play for you every season. Expectations are different here. It takes special players to be here and to be a part of such a place.”
The 26-year-old has been in this position before, as he was in the 2022 Finals and lost to the Warriors.
He says he doesn’t give himself the freedom to dream about what a win in the finals could mean and tries to take it as it comes.
“Yeah, to be honest, I don’t think about the future or what this might mean for me,” Tatum said. “As easy as it sounds, just try to be present, stay in the moment, enjoy it, right? Keep talking pressure, pressure, pressure… NBA Finals. This sh*t should be fun.
“That’s why I’m here. I’m in the NBA Finals. I have a second chance to win the title. I want to enjoy it. I want to enjoy this time, I enjoyed it with my partner and my family.
“That’s where my focus is: competing at the highest level, finally playing tomorrow, just having fun. Just getting out there and doing what I love to do. “
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