BOSTON — Lacking out on the Finals MVP award and getting benched within the Olympics should have been difficult for Jayson Tatum to deal with.
Nonetheless, he mentioned Tuesday morning, Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla liked to see the All-NBA ahead gifted potential sources of motivation.
“Joe was in all probability the happiest individual on the planet that I didn’t win Finals MVP and that I didn’t play in two of the video games within the Olympics,” Tatum mentioned on the Celtics’ media day. “So, that was odd, but when you realize Joe it is smart.”
Jayson Tatum: “I talked to Joe quite a bit. Joe was in all probability the happiest individual on the planet that I didn’t win Finals MVP and I didn’t play in two of the video games on the Olympics. That was odd. But when you realize Joe, it is smart.”
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) September 24, 2024
The Celtics gained Tatum’s first NBA championship in June by beating the Dallas Mavericks in 5 video games, however the Finals MVP award went to Jaylen Brown. Tatum later captured an Olympic gold medal with Crew USA, however obtained two DNP-CDs (didn’t play attributable to coach’s choice) in the course of the match. Steve Kerr’s choice to bench Tatum was stunning given the 26-year-old’s pedigree.
Mazzulla should consider the experiences will inspire Tatum.
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“Did I would like any motivation coming into the season?” Tatum mentioned. “No. I’m not going to provide anyone particularly credit score that that motivated me to come back into the season. It was a novel circumstance, one thing I (hadn’t) skilled earlier than in my enjoying profession, however I’m a believer that every part occurs for a motive. I used to be coming off a championship, the very best of the highs, the duvet of 2K and a brand new contract, after which that occurred.
“And no matter the reason being, I haven’t discovered but, however I’m a believer that every part does occur for a motive. Nevertheless it was an excellent expertise. We gained a gold medal, I gained my second one. I used to be round among the greatest gamers ever to play the sport each day, constructed some friendships and was capable of convey my household on the market and benefit from the Olympics as a complete. In order that was a plus for me for positive.”
Whereas Tatum’s feedback on the Olympics echoed his sentiments from his dialog with The Athletic in August, one factor that modified was the state of his soar shot. Through the summer season, Tatum attributed his poor capturing within the postseason and Olympics to a mix of being out of rhythm and the legislation of averages. Tatum shot 28.3 % from deep in the course of the postseason after which missed each soar shot he took in France.
However on Tuesday, he detailed among the mechanical work he has completed together with his abilities coach to get his shot again on observe. Tatum mentioned he has made modifications to quite a lot of elements from hand placement on the ball to maintaining his shoulders ahead.
“There (are) some issues I might’ve fastened, however simply within the midst of the playoffs making an attempt to handle your relaxation and issues like that, it’s a bit more durable,” Tatum mentioned. “I used to be nonetheless enjoying effectively, simply wasn’t capturing the ball in addition to I’d have appreciated. And clearly, we had been successful, so it wasn’t the time or place to attempt to sort things in that second.”
Boston teammates Derrick White and Jrue Vacation additionally gained gold medals with Crew USA.
Like Tatum, Brown might probably use the Olympics as gasoline. Coming off a playoff run throughout which he earned the Japanese Convention Finals MVP and the Finals MVP, Brown was handed over for a spot on the Olympic roster even after Kawhi Leonard left the crew over the summer season. Brown laughed when the primary query for him on media day addressed the snub.
“Goddamn,” Brown mentioned. “We are able to’t heat up a bit? S—.”
Brown proceeded to recommend he stored the choice in thoughts over the offseason.
“I’m extraordinarily motivated for apparent causes,” Brown mentioned, “and I’m able to get after it.”
“I’m able to go,” he added. “I’m enthusiastic about being again. The previous is the previous however I’m able to get after it, lead our guys, get the fellows, construct some crew chemistry, not skip any steps and simply set the tone for one more 12 months once more.”
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(Photograph: Maddie Malhotra / Getty Photographs)
