Following his first-ever NBA title win, Jayson Tatum is already looking ahead to a rematch next summer. The Boston star, who also played a key role in Team USA’s recent gold medal victory in the Paris Olympics, is brimming with confidence and believes his team will make another deep playoff run next season.
While Tatum didn’t explicitly state whether the Celtics would secure another championship ring, he did predict that the Dallas Mavericks would win the Western Conference before facing his team in the Finals. This declaration was made on national television during an appearance on Wednesday’s The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
“It’s going to be a rematch. We’re going to play Dallas again,” Jayson confidently stated during his appearance on the show, where he was promoting his new children’s book called “Baby Dunks-a-Lot.”
When asked about his pick for next season’s NBA MVP, Tatum wasted no time in suggesting himself. The star player is coming off a stellar season where he averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.0 steals per game.
Tatum and Jaylen Brown have established themselves as a formidable duo in the NBA after seven seasons together. Winning their first-ever championship last season solidified their status as one of the league’s best pairs in history.
However, despite their success, some remain skeptical of their abilities, pointing to various setbacks they faced over the summer. Jaylen Brown was notably left off the Olympic team, while Tatum received limited playing time with Team USA.
One Hall of Famer, Charles Barkley, was quick to defend the duo, stating, “I think Jaylen getting left off the Olympic team and Jayson not playing… They’re the defending champs, and that’s going to take their confidence to another level. The NBA found a way to disappoint both of them this summer.”
Former NBA Champion Quinn Cook Supports Tatum for MVP
Quinn Cook expressed his belief that Jayson Tatum will win the MVP award this season, citing his impressive achievements and motivation. Tatum’s consistent performance, including leading in scoring for the gold medal-winning Team USA, has set the stage for a potential MVP win.
With impressive stats from the previous season and the Celtics’ championship victory, Tatum is poised to make a strong case for the MVP title.
Reflecting on his experiences from the summer, Tatum acknowledged the challenges and lessons learned. Despite the hardships, he remains focused on improving and evolving as a player.
