Jayson Tatum Makes Celtics-Warriors Admission

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Garret Schnitker | Last updated Feb 25, 2025 4:49 PM ET

Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics are the reigning NBA Champions, and in doing so, they officially took back the lead of most titles in the league’s history with 18. The 2024 championship was their first since 2008, and only second since 1985, yet they take over the Los Angeles Lakers, who have 17 and have won titles six times since 2000.

However, this was not the Celtics’ first appearance in the Finals since 2008. There in 2022, Boston lost to former unanimous MVP Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors. As Boston lost in six games, the then 24-year-old Tatum underperformed that series, averag ing just 21.5 points on 36.7% shooting ( via StatMuse) after being at 26.9 points on 45.3% shooting that regular season.

Tatum admits that he has struggled since losing in his first trip to the Finals, even after hoisting the trophy this past summer.

In an interview with The Washington Post, Tatum admitted that series is still something he needs to get past.

“I didn’t play at the capability that I know I can, and I own that I didn’t do enough for us to win," Tatum said. "Getting there at 24 [years old], I think people would look at me a lot differently had I won that championship. But I feel like that’s held against me a lot, still, even a few years later, even after winning the championship. But that’s something I got to get past."

I sat down with Jayson Tatum & asked him about being overlooked in the next "face of the NBA" discussion. It led to a riveting conversation on respect, winning & what matters to him: “I don’t really want to insert myself in things that can be debated.” https://t.co/IJHAdgHiaO
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) February 25, 2025

The former No. 2 overall pick from Duke has had quite the career thus far. At only 26 years old, Tatum has been selected to the All-NBA First Team three times and the All-Star game six times. Tatum also has an All-Star Game MVP, NBA championship and an Olympic Gold Medal on his list of achievements.

Boston has gotten off to a hot start this season with a record of 41-16, just six games back of the Cleveland Cavaliers for the first seed in the Eastern Conference. Their ability to maintain excellence over the past several years has been large in part due to keeping their core intact, specifically Tatum and reigning Finals MVP Jaylen Brown.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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