Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has experienced an emotional rollercoaster in recent months.
Internally, he’s celebrated several milestones: winning his first NBA Championship, gracing the covers of NBA 2K25 and Sports Illustrated, and earning a second Olympic gold medal. However, the external narrative around Tatum has been quite different, as media discussions have revolved around his notable snubs.
Despite his championship win, Tatum did not claim the NBA Finals MVP or the Eastern Conference Finals MVP honors, both of which went to his teammate Jaylen Brown.
This sparked widespread media attention. Additionally, despite securing a gold medal, Tatum was benched in two Olympic games, fueling further debate.
Interestingly, Tatum revealed that Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla was particularly pleased about these snubs. During Celtics Media Day, Tatum said with a smile:
“Joe was probably the happiest person in the world that I didn’t win Finals MVP and that I didn’t play in two of the games in the Olympics. So that was odd, but it makes sense.”
Mazzulla, known for his unconventional takes, has frequently made headlines with his offbeat remarks. His apparent delight in Tatum’s setbacks seems to align with his desire to keep the Celtics grounded and focused.
As the Celtics prepare for the upcoming season, avoiding complacency is crucial, and Mazzulla appears eager to see how these moments will push Tatum to new heights.
