Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum has been getting better each and every year. He’s currently in the midst of helping his team book their spot in the NBA Finals as they head into Game 5 against the Miami Heat on Wednesday night. His rise to stardom was finally rewarded on Tuesday though when Tatum became a member of the 2021-22 All-NBA First Team.
The Celtics forward expressed his excitement to be given such an honor and discussed why he took such a big leap this season.
“It’s a huge honor. I’m grateful for that recognition.”
“We won more games than last year, but I think playmaking, just being able to read the game a lot better slowed it down for me in a lot of ways and I think it’s shown.”
The Celtics All-Star also gave his brutally honest take on missing out on the All-NBA Teams in 2020-21, which lost him out on a $30 million bonus:
Tatum on missing out on the $30m bonus last year: “What’s the saying, a day late, a dollar short? Last year was last year. You can’t change it. Obviously I’m thankful. First team All-NBA, that’s a big deal.” Said he felt disrespected and how the criteria was too wide open.
It is slightly puzzling that Tatum didn’t make first, second, or third team last season. His numbers across the board were almost identical and he even shot better from deep in 2020-21. But, as Tatum said, now that the Celtics are one of the best teams in the league and they’re getting more recognition, so is he.
Tatum is currently averaging 27.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists in the postseason and just went off for 31 in a huge Game 4 win. While All-NBA is a terrific accolade, his eyes will be set on the ultimate prize: A Larry O’Brien Trophy.
