Jayson Tatum Shares His View on Celtics' Championship Window

In his interview with Malika Andrews, Celtics star Jayson Tatum says this is the best team he has been a part of.

When Jayson Tatum sat with ESPN's Malika Andrews during All-Star Weekend, the superstar shared many viewpoints. His relationships with Jaylen Brown and Kristaps Porzingis, and, of course, being a role model to his son Deuce.

The MVP candidate, as he has multiple times in the last couple of seasons, also doubled down on being the best player in the world. 

Tatum also said that, looking back, he is now thankful for the Boston Celtics loss in the 2022 NBA Finals since it helped him learn, grow, and mature as a leader.

Every superstar or best player in the world goes through one hiccup of a loss that propels them to becoming even greater, right? That is what we have been witnessing with the five-time All-Star.

The Celtics are sitting at 45-12, five games ahead of the next-best team in the NBA. The best offensive rating of all time, a top-10 NET rating of all time, and currently top-three collectively in offensive, defensive, and NET rating, per StatMuse.

Tatum knows this is the best team he has been a part of, with the time for Boston's 18th championship never feeling so clear heading into the final stretch of 2023–24.

"The regular season is there for a reason," voiced the five-time All-Star. "You have to build the right habits; you have to build chemistry and things like that, and I just love the way that we're playing. Obviously, I love our record—43, 44, and 12 or something—but the way that we're playing, the way guys are coexisting together, the way that we're going about it. There's a difference from last year, and we had a really good team last year, but I love where we're at this year compared to last season."

Andrews then asked Tatum if he believes this is the best team he has been on and if it is better than the 2022 Finals team.

"Yeah, it is," he replied. "Just because I think I'm better than I was two years ago, JB is better. KP makes all the difference in the world, obviously, Jrue Holiday, and the way that Derrick White's been playing this year compared to two years ago. And I think that's how it's supposed to be. We're still relatively young, so everybody's supposed to continue to get better and learn from our experiences. That was our first time going through that, and now we know what it takes to get there; we just got to get it done when we do."

The Celtics seemingly continue to improve and amaze each and every night. As the heavy title favorite, Boston knows they have a big target on their back, and they know the time is now.

Further Reading

Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent

Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented

Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'

Kristaps Porzingis Shares How First Season with Celtics Compares to His Expectations: 'Haven't Stopped Smiling'

Jayson Tatum's Approach vs. Nets Tale of Two Halves and Steadfast Commitment

Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot

Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans

Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'

Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'

Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'