Despite the Familiarity of Title Contention, Jayson Tatum Doesn't Take Celtics' Success for Granted

It took Al Horford until year 15 to reach the NBA Finals. Blake Griffin hasn't done so in his 12-year career. Jayson Tatum went to at least the Eastern Conference Finals in three of his first five NBA seasons. He doesn't take that for granted.

Since Jayson Tatum joined the Celtics, combining with Jaylen Brown to give Boston two burgeoning talents at the position that drives winning more than any other in today's NBA, the franchise has gone to the Eastern Conference Finals in three of their first five years together.

That includes the Celtics engineering the most impressive in-season turnaround in NBA history, going from 11th in the East in mid-January last year to coming within two wins of capturing the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Adding to the impressive nature of what Boston's already accomplished as a consistent title contender in this time frame is that Brown, 26, is just entering his prime. Tatum, who turned 25 in March, isn't even there yet.

As the defending Eastern Conference champions prepare for their first-round series against the Hawks and the start of what they hope is a run that raises Banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters, the four-time All-Star, who will likely earn a place on the All-NBA"s First Team for the second-straight season, conveyed that the ability to contend consistently for the NBA title isn't something he takes for granted, despite its familiarity.

"Yeah, just realizing that winning is hard," expressed Tatum. "Being on a special group and a special team is not guaranteed. It's a character trait that's involved with that, to have a lot of talent, but maybe guys don't mesh well. Being healthy is a big part of it. 

"I've been very fortunate to be on some really good teams that had some really good guys in the locker room. And this is a really special group, on and off the court. (We're) very close-knit, together, and everybody's on the same page. Everybody understands that and appreciates this moment and (is) not trying to take it for granted."

Further Reading

NBA Announces Celtics-Hawks Full First-Round Series Schedule

The Celtics Are Pushing Robert Williams to Take His Offense to the Next Level

Joe Mazzulla Provides Injury Updates on Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart

Al Horford Thinks Celtics Need to Improve on Defense for Playoffs

Joe Mazzulla and Brad Stevens Discuss How the Celtics' Head Coach Has Grown in His First Year at the Helm: 'He's Been a Great Strength for Us'

Jayson Tatum is Ready for the Challenges that Await the Celtics in the Playoffs: 'We've Not Been Waiting for it But Working for it'

Jaylen Brown Shares What Winning the Red Auerbach Award Means to Him: 'I've Put My Everything Into This Team, I've Put My Everything Into This City'

Jaylen Brown on His Relationship with Jayson Tatum: 'We’re a Part of Each Other’s Destiny'