Less than a month ago, the Celtics’ season came to an end when they lost the NBA Finals to the Warriors in six games.
In his first Finals, Jayson Tatum undoubtedly didn’t have the best performance. In the pivotal Game 6, he scored just 13 points on 6-of-18 shooting while averaging 21.5 points per game on.367/.455/.656 shooting.
Tatum is still suffering the effects of losing in the NBA Finals despite having had a few weeks to recover and prepare for the upcoming season.
Tatum said to the media before the Celtics’ first Summer League game on Saturday in Las Vegas, “It takes a long time.” “I still give it daily thought. Therefore, I guess until the start of the season or until we return to the championship.
The defeat did teach Tatum a valuable lesson, though.
Just be aware of how difficult it is to get there and how much more difficult it is to overcome a challenge, Tatum advised. “I must therefore improve going into the following year. Clearly attempting to return.
Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations for the Celtics, set out right away to address the two issues that most negatively affected Tatum and his team during the Finals. In a trade that was finalized on Saturday, he acquired guard Malcolm Brogdon from the Pacers, and once veteran forward Danilo Gallinari clears waivers, he plans to sign him.
The Celtics could have used the outside shooting of both players to defeat the Warriors. With 6.3 assists per game over the last three seasons, Brogdon also brings playmaking, which Boston sorely needs given that it consistently turned the ball over throughout its playoff run.
Tatum is aware that Gallinari and Brogdon cover two of the Celtics’ most pressing needs.
Tatum said, “It’s great, great for our team. It was obviously difficult for Daniel Theis and Aaron Nesmith to see their brothers go, but things improved. We have two seasoned men who have proven themselves and are prepared to advance us. I’m glad to have those guys, therefore.
Tatum revealed that he has already spoken to his new teammates, simply saying “Happy to have you. Reach out if you need anything. eager to start working out in the gym.
Tatum has spoken with Stevens this offseason as well, though.
Tatum stated, “[Stevens] kind of just told me some options they were looking at, things they were keeping an eye on for free agency.”
Tatum and Stevens are in constant communication with each other as they build their roster. The star of the Celtics claimed he has also provided feedback on potential moves.
On discussing which players the Celtics should sign, Tatum said, “I mean yeah, we talked about that a little bit.” “Just a few guys who were free agents; they were kind of what we felt the team needed. merely small talk Nothing wacky
Tatum continued, “I’m invested in being with the Celtics. I, [Jaylen Brown], [Marcus] Smart, or whoever it is, are offering our opinions on what might help us win the championship the following year.
Tatum had a breakthrough year as a player in 2021–2022. A career-high 26.9 points per game helped him make the All-NBA first team for the first time in his career, in addition to playing in his first NBA Finals.
Tatum said he knows what he needs to do to get better and help the Celtics win next season as he looked back on his career year.
Tatum remarked, “It was a fantastic season. Two teams remain. Of course it was difficult. We were defeated. We failed to reach our goal. And knowing how badly we wanted it makes getting there, coming this close, and losing extremely difficult. So, just sort of coping with that throughout the summer while attempting to turn the page and prepare for the following season.
