Why Jayson Tatum isn’t using his experience at the 2024 Olympics but rather the legacy of Celtics legend Larry Bird as motivation for 2024-25..
Boston Celtics champion superstar Jayson Tatum is pursuing greatness after capturing his first NBA championship, and let it be known at Celtics Media Day on Tuesday. Tatum revealed his shortcomings made coach Joe Mazzulla happy when he didn’t win the 2024 Finals MVP over Jaylen Brown before receiving the first healthy DNPs of his career with Team USA in the 2024 Olympics. However, moving on to the upcoming season, the returning champion isn’t crediting his minimal role in the Olympics as motivation. For that, Tatum points to its storied franchise and one of its legends, the Celtics’ great Hall of Fame forward, Larry Bird, per NBATV’s Jared Greenberg.
For me, I don’t give anybody or a situation like that much attention or credit. I didn’t need any extra motivation coming into the season,” Tatum said. “My motivation came from us winning a championship and the company that I joined in doing that. The motivation came from not being satisfied. Larry Bird is the best Celtic to ever wear this uniform. That’s the guy that I’m chasing.”
Bird, the Celtics’ three-time champion, three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, and 12-time All-Star, has big shoes to fill. However, Tatum believes that even if he did not reach Bird’s accomplishments, coming close would be a legacy that would stand on its own one day.
Bird, the Celtics’ three-time champion, three-time NBA Most Valuable Player, and 12-time All-Star, has big shoes to fill. However, Tatum believes that even if he did not reach Bird’s accomplishments, coming close would be a legacy that would stand on its own one day.
“Even if I fall short of that. If I aspire to be as great as he was, and even if you fall a little short, [you’ve] had a hell of a career,” Tatum added. “So, my motivation is chasing the best players to ever play, the best players to ever wear a Celtics uniform.”
"I didn't need any extra motivation coming into the season… The motivation came from not being satisfied. Larry Bird is the best Celtic to ever wear this uniform. That's the guy that I'm chasing."
—Jayson Tatum
(via @JaredSGreenberg)pic.twitter.com/xoae6IPBlO
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 25, 2024
The five-time All-Star is entering his eighth season with t
he Celtics.
