Jayson Tatum has not played since tearing his right Achilles tendon in May, but even off the court the five-time All-NBA forward continues to make his presence felt. On Tuesday, he appeared on NBC’s Today, CBS HQ, and ESPN’s First Take to discuss the Boston Celtics’ situation and the new outlook following an offseason full of changes.
With Tatum sidelined and the roster reshaped, Boston is no longer among the top title favorites. Still, the star player maintained confidence in the group that will debut in October and delivered a message that resonated across the league.
One of the highlights of his media tour was what he said about Jaylen Brown. With Tatum absent, Brown will be tasked with leading the offense and becoming the Celtics’ primary option. On First Take, Tatum said that Brown is an All-NBA player, a Finals MVP, and a champion, one of the most talented players in the league, and that he has been in this position before.
That endorsement reflected the full trust Tatum places in his longtime teammate. Now it will be Brown who carries the responsibility of keeping Boston in contention at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Even without their star, the Celtics are not starting from scratch. Players like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser are set to take on bigger roles. In addition, Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and Xavier Tillman Sr. return after contributing to the 2024 championship run.
Tatum emphasized in his statements that he loves the group, highlighting both the core that won a title and the new additions. He also expressed his belief that they still have the best coach in the NBA.
Tatum’s absence represents an unprecedented challenge, as his durability had been a constant throughout his career. This year will test how strong the roster can be without its centerpiece.
Boston’s success will also depend on how Joe Mazzulla manages the team. Since taking over in 2022, the coach has thrived with championship-level talent, but now faces the task of guiding a roster projected to be middle-of-the-pack.
His style, built around advanced stats and high three-point volume, has generated debate, though three years of results support it. The question is whether that formula can still deliver without Tatum available on the court.
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