(Photo : (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)) INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MAY 27: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts after Game Four of the Eastern Conference Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 27, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Jayson Tatum has a chance to silence all the critics.
After a long, grueling season, the Boston Celtics All-Star is on the cusp of possibly winning his first championship, making the NBA Finals now for the second time in his career.
Now, ahead of their finals matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, Tatum and the Boston Celtics have a chance to write their names in NBA History once again.
Jayson Tatum was superb during the regular season.
It was another year in which he finished in the top 5 voting for MVP, averaging 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game.
The Celtics, who just knocked out the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, were dominant in winning 60 games last season behind the excellent play of Tatum.
Throughout his career, Tatum has blossomed into one of the best players in the league, raising the level of his play despite constant postseason disappointments.
Postseason Ups and Downs
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – Jayson Tatum (#0) of the Boston Celtics reacts during the third quarter against the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo : Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Conversations around the Celtics forward have been mixed at best, many consider him one of the best in the league, but he has also developed a reputation for being shaky during the postseason.
Throughout 108 postseason games, Tatum has averaged 24.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 4,8 assists per game.
Those are excellent numbers for a player of his caliber, but he still hasn’t been able to get over the hump. Throughout his career coming close to a Championship, but no cigar.
Last season in the Eastern Conference Finals the Celtics had a chance to make it back to the big stage, but failed to put the Heat away, allowing Miami to take the series’ win in seven games.
The Celtics also should have gotten the job done against the Golden State Warriors back in the 2022 NBA Finals.
Jayson Tatum shined throughout Boston’s series against the Pacers, where he found his shot and put up some big-time scoring performances.
However, against the Cavaliers and the Heat, Tatum deferred to other talent on the roster, such as Jaylen Brown and Derrick White.
For the Celtics to win it all against the Dallas Mavericks, Jayson Tatum will have to assert himself as the true No.1 in Boston.
