Jayson Tatum is shouldering all the pressure heading into NBA Finals

Tatum is entering his second NBA Finals. His last appearance on this stage was in 2022, and he was reportedly playing with a non-displaced fracture in his wrist during that series. He underperformed by his lofty standards. As such, he must prove that he can perform when the bright lights shine.

Fortunately for Tatum, he will be surrounded by an elite roster. Jrue Holiday and Derrick White are both second-team All-Defense selections. Kristaps Porzingis is one of the best floor-spacing bigs in the world, and Jaylen Brown was a major snub in All-NBA selections this season. Tatum doesn't have to carry the load on his own. 

The media won't see it like that, though. They will shred Tatum if Boston fails to overcome the Dallas Mavericks. That's the gravity of being the top dog on the best team in the NBA. Tatum will understand the pitfalls that await. Nevertheless, they can be avoided if the Celtics finish the series as champions. They're favorites for a reason. 

Tatum may be facing pressure, but that's only because he's shown the potential to achieve greatness. He must embrace everything that comes with being a star. If he can do that, his resume could significantly improve in mid-June.