Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum hasn’t been on the floor since tearing his Achilles in May, but that hasn’t stopped him from making his presence felt. The five-time All-NBA forward appeared Tuesday on NBC’s Today, CBS HQ and ESPN’s First Take, breaking his silence on Boston’s offseason and their new-look roster.
The Celtics are heading into unfamiliar territory this year. With Tatum sidelined and significant roster turnover over the summer, the franchise isn’t projected to be among the NBA’s top contenders. But Tatum still has plenty of belief in the group that will take the parquet in October.
Tatum Sends Strong Message on Jaylen Brown
One of the highlights of Tatum’s media tour came when he spoke about Jaylen Brown. With Tatum out, Brown is set to lead the offense and become the focal point of Boston’s attack.
“JB is an All-NBA player, a Finals MVP, he’s won a championship. He’s one of the most talented guys in the NBA… he’s been in this position before,” Tatum said on First Take.
Tatum’s endorsement underscores the trust he has in his longtime co-star. With Tatum on the shelf, Brown will be the focal point of a Celtics team trying to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Year 1: 7/3/1 Year 2: 15/5/2 Year 3: 13/4/1 Year 4: 20/6/2 Year 5: 25/6/3 Year 6: 24/6/4 Year 7: 27/7/4 Year 8: 23/6/4 Year 9: 22/6/5 Year 10: ??/??/??
Gonna prove a lot of people wrong this season 🤫
Celtics Still Have Depth and Familiar Faces
Even without their star forward, Boston isn’t starting from scratch. Players like Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Sam Hauser will be asked to take on bigger roles. Meanwhile, Neemias Queta, Jordan Walsh, and Xavier Tillman Sr. are also back after contributing to the 2024 title run.
Tatum made sure to point out that the team’s championship core is still intact.
“I love the guys that we have on our team. I love the core group that we still have that won a championship together with some new guys. We still have the best coach in the NBA,” he said on First Take.
“JB is an All-NBA player, a Finals MVP, he’s won a championship. He’s one of the most talented guys in the NBA… he’s been in this position before.”
(Via @espn)
Still, this is unfamiliar territory. The Celtics have rarely played without Tatum, whose durability has defined much of his career. This season will show how well the supporting cast can hold up without their leader.
Coach Mazzulla Faces His Biggest Challenge Yet
A major factor in Boston’s success will be how head coach Joe Mazzulla handles the roster changes. Since taking over in 2022, Mazzulla has thrived with championship-level talent. But for the first time, he’ll be tasked with leading a team that projects as middle of the pack.
Mazzulla has leaned heavily on analytics and high-volume three-point shooting to create advantages. Fans may love to question the math-driven approach, but it’s hard to argue with the results over the past three years. Whether he can maximize this new-look roster will define Boston’s season.
“I love the guys that we have on our team. I love the core group that we still have that won a championship together with some new guys. We still have the best coach in the NBA.”
What’s Next For Boston?
With training camp just days away, the Celtics will finally get a chance to test themselves without Tatum. How far can Brown carry this team? Can the supporting cast grow into larger roles? And will Mazzulla’s system still produce results without a top-five player leading the charge?
If nothing else, Tatum has made his stance clear: he believes in the roster and especially in Jaylen Brown. And that message might be exactly what Boston needs as it enters one of its most uncertain seasons in years.
Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Sends Bold Message on Roster Without Him