Celtics

Why Jayson Tatum believes Celtics are ‘in a perfect place’ ahead of playoffs

"I think we have the right group, the right mindset to do those things."

By Conor Ryan

March 27, 2024

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The Boston Celtics sit atop the NBA standings with a 57-15 record. But that doesn’t mean that a roster anchored by stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown operates without its fair share of doubters.

Even though Tatum and Brown have led Boston to four conference finals — including one trip to the NBA Finals in 2022 — the Celtics’ extended stretch of success as of late has yet to result in a sought-after championship.

And even with Boston further buoyed this year with the arrival of other star talents like Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the Celtics will inevitably enter this latest playoff run with some skeptics downplaying their title odds.

Even though Tatum has yet to add an NBA title to his already loaded resume, the 26-year-old forward acknowledged on Tuesday night that those previous playoff setbacks give this current Celtics squad a unique advantage this postseason.

“Experience is the best teacher, right? The last few years being that close and not getting over the hump obviously was extremely tough,” Tatum said on NBA on TNT Tuesday night. “And I think everybody on our team is in a perfect place in their career. We’ve all accomplished individual things, everybody’s gotten paid, and the last thing for most of us — except for Jrue Holiday — is we all trying to get over that hump.

“And I think we have the right group, the right mindset to do those things. Obviously, we still have to do it, stay healthy and continue to play the right way. But our mindset is where it needs to be.”

The pressure will be on Tatum and the Celtics this spring when it comes to carrying their regular-season success into the playoffs.

LeBron James: Tatum is already ‘elite’

But count LeBron James among those who believe that those previous failings will benefit Tatum and the Celtics in the long run.

“I think we have a lot of expectations on JT, but he’s experienced a lot of winning in his career so far,” James said last week his new podcast with JJ Redick, “Mind The Game.” “Obviously, everyone wants to see him get over the hump. But four conference finals and a finals appearance before the age of 26 is elite.

“He’s continued to grow and they are in a position where they can make another title run. … “He’s (26) years old and I believe he’s been to the conference finals four times, been to obviously the NBA Finals once. I didn’t win my first one till I was 28. I think (Nikola Jokic) won his first one at 27. I think (Michael Jordan) was 28, as well.”

So long as Boston’s roster remains healthy, Tatum has his best chance yet of leading the Celtics to that coveted 18th title in the coming months.