Even though he’s just into his second season, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has steered the team back to the NBA Finals. Along the way, he shared what it feels like to have All-Star forward Jayson Tatum as the franchise’s most important player.
Tatum burst onto the scene in his rookie season in 2017 after being selected as the third overall pick by the Boston Celtics. In his 80 games that year, the talented Duke alumni showcased his skills, averaging 13.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.6 assists.

As the Celtics faced the departures of Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, Tatum embraced the opportunity to become the team’s primary option. Alongside Jaylen Brown, he formed a dynamic duo that fueled the Celtics’ offense. However, despite their impressive performances, the team consistently fell short in the playoffs, culminating in a loss to the Golden State Warriors in the 2022 championship.
The current season, however, has seen a remarkable turnaround for the Celtics. With the acquisitions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, the team has found its groove and is firing on all cylinders. Boasting the best record in the league with 64 wins and 18 losses, Boston has secured a favorable path in the playoffs. They faced a Miami Heat team missing Jimmy Butler and a Cleveland Cavaliers squad dealing with injuries to key players, setting the stage for their postseason success.
Tatum’s growth and the team’s strategic moves have positioned the Celtics as genuine contenders in their quest for a championship. With their stellar regular season performance, they have the potential to make a deep playoff run and finally overcome their previous postseason shortcomings.
Boston Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla Shares Take on Jayson Tatum as a Powerful Franchise Player

Without a doubt, Tatum holds the key to Boston’s success. In a tweet by Noa Dalzell on X, Mazzulla shares what it’s like to have the All-Star forward placed in that position.
Joe Mazzulla spoke about what it’s like to have Jayson Tatum as a franchise player, and it’s worth a read: pic.twitter.com/SRqMbFUyEE
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzellNBA) June 5, 2024
Over the course of 74 games this season, Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and a single steal per contest. He’s also shooting 47 percent from the field, 37 percent from three, and 83 percent from the free throw line.

Without doubt, Tatum is definitely the most important player in Boston’s lineup right now. For sure, his worth will be proven once again when the Celtics go face Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals soon.

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