Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Jayson Tatum's Selflessness vs. Lakers Exemplifies Celtics' Maturation: 'Hopefully, It's Gonna Pay Off'
There are many lessons the Celtics learned the hard way last season. It's led to them going from looking ahead to the playoffs to adopting the mantra "win the day."
And while they have what's widely considered the best top six in the NBA, they understand the importance of sacrificing individually for the good of the group.
Not only is no one plotting their exit from Boston this season, but this is a veteran group, not one where the younger players the team is depending on are trying to carve out their place in the league.
It's easier to sacrifice when you've accumulated individual accolades, signed lucrative contracts, your resume lacks playoff success, or you've sipped champagne after lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy and have a hunger to get back to the mountaintop.
As Celtics' bench boss Joe Mazzulla has reinforced throughout this campaign, one where his team is 23-6 and boasts the NBA's best record, what sacrifice looks like will frequently change for each individual.
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But that wasn't meant to be.
As Mazzulla conveyed after Boston's 126-115 victory vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, there's a message he constantly reminds the four-time All-Star and the rest of the team's leaders.
"I tell them, the other team's paid to stop you. So, I don't know why you think that is just going to be that easy for you."
With Tatum out of rhythm, which doesn't diminish the defensive attention he receives, he shined as a facilitator.
It wasn't the role he wanted to play on Christmas, but him embracing it was crucial to the Celtics' success.
He eased into the game, not attempting a shot until the 7:24 mark in the first quarter, earning a trip to the foul line. The former Duke Blue Devil continued setting the table for his teammates to score.
Tatum finished with seven assists. He created 18 points with his passing, the second most by a member of the visitors, per NBA.com. Derrick White ranked first with 28.
The two-time All-NBA First Team selection also registered four screen assists and ten points off his screen assists. Both were game-highs.
"I think that's what we talk about when he's got to reinvent," Mazzulla said of Tatum's impact without scoring. "It's not so much sacrifice as it is reinventing. You're starting to see what leadership looks like and what value looks like for him."
And while no one would have blamed the St. Louis native if he tried to take over as a scorer in the final frame, he demonstrated the discipline and maturity to not force the issue or stray from the approach that led to Boston outscoring Los Angeles 68-58 in the second half.
Instead of jacking ill-advised side-step or pull-up threes, he operated within the flow of the offense, faring 3/4 from the field and putting six points on the board in the last 12 minutes as the Celtics closed out their win over the purple and gold.
Post-game, Tatum, still a potent enough scorer to register 25 points, generating 12 on 13 free-throw attempts, discussed his willingness to take on a different, less glamorous role from the one that he's accustomed to.
"I say it all the time: we have a really, really good team, and we all just kind of make it easier on each other," voiced the star forward. "Joe says it: success is gonna look different for different guys on every single night. We all sacrifice to be a better team, to be a better group, and hopefully, it's gonna pay off in the end."
While no one can guarantee it will, Tatum's maturity, leadership, and willingness to sacrifice for his teammates on Christmas exemplify the approach most likely to lead to the Celtics raising Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters.
Further Reading
Celtics' Offensive Approach Outweighs Three-Point Struggles in Christmas Victory vs. Lakers
Joe Mazzulla Says Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis Are ‘Willing To Wear Many Different Hats'
Kristaps Porzingis Praises Derrick White Following Win Over Lakers
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
Jayson Tatum Joins PR Team for Derrick White’s All-Star Campaign
Jaylen Brown Discusses Growing Leadership Role with Celtics: 'I've Embraced That'
Jaylen Brown Shares His View of What Defines 'Celtics Basketball'
An Empowered Jaylen Brown Strives to Balance Scoring with Playmaking: 'I've Grown A Lot'
Joe Mazzulla Believes Celtics' Second Unit is 'Starting to Develop an Identity'
