Celtics’ Jayson Tatum says Joe Mazzulla was ‘in all probability the happiest particular person’ with Olympic benching

BOSTON — Lacking out on the Finals MVP award and getting benched within the Olympics should have been difficult for Jayson Tatum to deal with.

Nonetheless, he stated Tuesday morning, Boston Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla cherished to see the All-NBA ahead gifted potential sources of motivation.

“Joe was in all probability the happiest particular person on the planet that I didn’t win Finals MVP and that I didn’t play in two of the video games within the Olympics,” Tatum stated on the Celtics’ media day. “So, that was odd, but when you understand Joe it is smart.”

Jayson Tatum: “I talked to Joe lots. Joe was in all probability the happiest particular person on the planet that I didn’t win Finals MVP and I didn’t play in two of the video games on the Olympics. That was odd. But when you understand Joe, it is smart.”

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) September 24, 2024

The Celtics received Tatum’s first NBA championship in June by beating the Dallas Mavericks in 5 video games, however the Finals MVP award went to Jaylen Brown. Tatum later captured an Olympic gold medal with Group USA, however obtained two DNP-CDs (didn’t play as a consequence of coach’s choice) in the course of the event. Steve Kerr’s choice to bench Tatum was stunning given the 26-year-old’s pedigree.

Mazzulla should consider the experiences will encourage Tatum.

“Did I would like any motivation coming into the season?” Tatum stated. “No. I’m not going to present anyone particularly credit score that that motivated me to return into the season. It was a novel circumstance, one thing I (hadn’t) skilled earlier than in my taking part in profession, however I’m a believer that the whole lot occurs for a motive. I used to be coming off a championship, the very best of the highs, the duvet of 2K and a brand new contract, after which that occurred.

“And no matter the reason being, I haven’t discovered but, however I’m a believer that the whole lot does occur for a motive. But it surely was a great expertise. We received a gold medal, I received my second one. I used to be round a number of the greatest gamers ever to play the sport each day, constructed some friendships and was capable of convey my household on the market and benefit from the Olympics as a complete. In order that was a plus for me for positive.”

Whereas Tatum’s feedback on the Olympics echoed his sentiments from his dialog with The Athletic in August, one factor that modified was the state of his leap shot. In the course of the summer season, Tatum attributed his poor taking pictures within the postseason and Olympics to a mix of being out of rhythm and the regulation of averages. Tatum shot 28.3 p.c from deep in the course of the postseason after which missed each leap shot he took in France.

However on Tuesday, he detailed a number of the mechanical work he has completed along with his expertise coach to get his shot again on observe. Tatum stated he has made modifications to quite a lot of points from hand placement on the ball to holding his shoulders ahead.

“There (are) some issues I may’ve fastened, however simply within the midst of the playoffs making an attempt to handle your relaxation and issues like that, it’s a bit of harder,” Tatum stated. “I used to be nonetheless taking part in effectively, simply wasn’t taking pictures the ball in addition to I might have appreciated. And clearly, we had been profitable, so it wasn’t the time or place to attempt to make things better in that second.”

Boston teammates Derrick White and Jrue Vacation additionally received gold medals with Group USA.

Like Tatum, Brown may doubtlessly use the Olympics as gas. Coming off a playoff run throughout which he earned the Jap Convention Finals MVP and the Finals MVP, Brown was handed over for a spot on the Olympic roster even after Kawhi Leonard left the crew over the summer season. Brown laughed when the primary query for him on media day addressed the snub.

“Goddamn,” Brown stated. “We are able to’t heat up a bit of? S—.”

Brown proceeded to counsel he stored the choice in thoughts over the offseason.

“I’m extraordinarily motivated for apparent causes,” Brown stated, “and I’m able to get after it.”

“I’m able to go,” he added. “I’m enthusiastic about being again. The previous is the previous however I’m able to get after it, lead our guys, get the fellows, construct some crew chemistry, not skip any steps and simply set the tone for an additional yr once more.”

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(Picture: Maddie Malhotra / Getty Pictures)