Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum didn’t know what to think at first. Then he did. And he didn’t like it.
Entering the Celtics’ game in New York against the rival Knicks, Tatum admitted he wasn’t “thrilled” to return to the arena where his career flashed before him. For the first time as an active player, Tatum strolled the Madison Square Garden hardwood. Perhaps some uneasy thoughts raced through his psyche.
Tatum, 28, conceded he would have to clear this mental hurdle at some point, knowing that he may very well have to play a few games here in May in some all-or-nothing playoff games.
Last night, Tatum passed the test. He put on that uniform and played hard.
GettyJayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Fans weren’t exactly spotted vintage Tatum. The former All-NBA player stuffed the stat-sheet (the good) but shot poorly — and his team lost (the bad).
Perhaps Tatum was just happy that he left the arena the same way he entered it.
Jayson Tatum Offers Unexpected Comments on Return From Career-Threatening Injury
As soon as Boston snatched a win over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night, Tatum was drawn over to the team’s next game.
He was asked multiple times about where his mind is on the Knicks matchup ahead, how he feels, what he’s thinking deep down. Tatum, to his credit, was an open door. He spat out his thoughts exactly.
It was a long-time coming for Tatum — even though he returned unprecedentedly fast from a career-rattling injury. Not many have returned to form after incurring a ruptured Achilles. Tatum perhaps thought exactly that the moment he tumbled to the floor near the Garden halfcourt last May.
Maybe Tatum thought so much that serious doubt creeped in his head. Perhaps he thought that even if he ever was himself again, it would take a good, long while.
Ahead of Thursday’s game, Tatum admitted that he has somewhat surprised even himself in the 30-something days he’s come back from Achilles rehab.
“I feel like I’m in a good spot,” Tatum said, according to the Boston Herald. “I think I honestly feel better than I thought I would coming back, the way that I’m progressing and coming back after each game. So that’s positive, and I just continue to try to stack really good days.”
History in Front of Our Very Eyes
What the world is watching with Tatum cannot be understanding. This is history being made in real time.
Few could’ve predicted the Celtics would have been gearing up for a playoff run with homecourt advantage locked up. Fewer — much, much fewer — could’ve predicted that would happen with Tatum in the mix.
By midseason, Boston was already doing something special by winning plenty of games and staying near the top of the Detroit Pistons-dominated Eastern Conference. A couple of months later, here came the Celtics’ multi-time All-NBA player attempting to do what no one before him has done.
“That was a reason why I came back,” Tatum said, reflecting on his recovery. “During rehab, when I was scrimmaging, I was starting to feel like myself. I didn’t want to come back and be, like, a super shell of myself. And I’m not all the way there yet, but it was important that when I came back, that I would be able to climb up the ladder relatively quickly.”
In the time Tatum has been back, Boston is double-digit games over .500. The team looks poised for the postseason. Tatum’s individual numbers are still playing catch-up, but over his last five games entering Thursday’s contest in New York, Tatum shot over 40% from 3 and recorded a 32-point outing on the road.
There will be some more bumps and bruises along the way as he continues to progress, but no one can argue against what he has shown so far.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Boston Celtics’ Jayson Tatum Drops Surprising Comments on Career appeared first on Heavy Sports.