Jason Tatum may have grown up in St. Louis, but there is no doubt that he is Boston to the end.
Ever since Tatum was selected with the third pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Boston has become his home with Celtics fans who have embraced him from the start and never let go of their love for the superstar.
In his new season, Tatum demonstrated the potential he had by scoring LeBron James in Game 7 of the 2017 Eastern Conference Finals, which still resonates today.
Since then, Celtics fans have always believed that this moment will come and that Tatum can fulfill it. Now, on Wednesday night, the 24-year-old will lead a team to the floor of TD Garden to win an NBA Finals match when his team faces the Golden State Warriors, live at the Sky Sports Arena & Main Event, at 1.45pm overnight .
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports, Tatum told us how important it would be to be part of the team that leads to the erection of the championship banner № 18 in the beams.
“That would mean everything,” Tatum said. “And that’s why you play these games. To win at the highest level, to be the last team, to be a champion … as a child, that’s what you worked for. To be able to do that and hopefully, you know, raise one, I would be the happiest person in the world.
“But I’m excited about my first final game at home in Boston. You know, they were great all season, all the playoffs. So I can only imagine what the atmosphere will be like, how exciting it will be. It will be great, so I can’t wait for game 3. “
The Celtics managed to split the first two away games at Golden State and it is interesting to read how they went.
Boston took game 1 in one night when Tatum shot just 3-for-17 off the field. However, he added 12 points with 13 assists and just two turnovers.
In Game 2, his teammates, who took the weight of goals in his absence at the start of the series, hesitated collectively in terms of shots, shooting just 37.5 percent overall and struggling to do something within the 3-point line. Although Tatum himself scored 28 points, the Celtics lost 107-88.
Maybe so far it’s been hard to find a balance between being a goal scorer and a major facilitator against Golden State – so what’s the key to ensuring he maximizes his ability to do both in Game 3?
Image: Boston Celtics striker Jason Tatum crashes into a basket against Golden State Warriors guard Gary Peyton II during Game 2
“Just don’t think too much,” Tatum said. “I’ve played basketball all my life. I think thinking is doing what it takes to win. This can be something different every night, right? It’s just basketball, not too much pressure. Get out there, have fun, play the right way and always take care of it.
“I expect to play well tomorrow. As long as we win, that’s all that matters. I’m doing my part to get out there and try to make sure we win.”
The Celtics had five turnovers and just four baskets during the decisive third quarter in Game 2, leaving them with an insurmountable deficit of 23 points, and Tatum admits that caring for the ball will be key in Game 3.
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Check out the best games from Game 2 of the NBA Finals!
“In the last game we turned the ball too much,” he said. “So I think it’s a point of emphasis that we just have to be better at controlling the ball.
“And I think we need to move in the attack, we’ve been there for a while. I think after training today, get ready for tomorrow’s shooting, watch a movie, we’ll be ready for the match.”
Kobe Bryant was Tatum’s idol growing up, and he always took care to represent the late great in the NBA whenever possible. In Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Miami, he shook the purple ribbon at number 24 as the Celtics defeated Heath to reach the biggest stage of all. Before Game 2, he appeared in a jacket that honors both Kobe and Michael Jordan.
However, Mamba remains the main person he seeks inspiration from, even watching his videos, before being crowned MVP of the Eastern Conference finals.
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Larry Byrd MVP of the Eastern Conference Finals Jason Tatum dominates Game 7 between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat, finishing with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 6 assists
As for someone to inspire you to greatness and keep you going and help your team reach the championship, Tatum probably couldn’t have chosen a better idol.
“Everyone knows how much he meant to me, how much he meant to the world, how much he meant to the game of basketball,” Tatum said. “He was my inspiration. He was my favorite player. He is the reason I fall in love with basketball.
“I think it’s just his thinking, how hard he worked. He has always wanted to be the best player. He knew this from a very young age and did what was necessary and this is something I have always admired and appreciated. It’s just that the way he trains, prepares, was the best in every way.
“I’ve seen all his finals, games and highlights, interviews and things like that. Along with him and other great players I’ve always stared at, I was just trying to steal a little bit of their game mentality and implant it in mine as I went through this journey. “
If the Celtics have to bounce back when the series moves to Boston for Game 3 on Wednesday night, they will need part of Tatum’s supporting cast to play much more like in Game 1 than in Game 2 on Sunday.
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Highlights of Game 2 of the NBA Finals Clash between the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors
Al Horford didn’t even strike in the first half after leading the Celtics by 26 points in the start and finishing with two points. Derrick White missed 9 of 13 shots and was held on to 12 points, Marcus Smart was just 1 of 6 on the field. Jaylan Brown made his first three shots and scored 13 points in the first quarter, but continued 1 to 11 until the end of the road, failing to support Tatum.
Instead of reading too much about these things, Tatum chooses instead to focus on himself and what he can do to lead the team to success, while reflecting on how far he has come in person to get to this point. He is grateful for the opportunity.
“It’s hard to handle everything right now,” Tatum added. “Obviously I know I’m in the finals and every time I see the trophy or if I come in here (arena), it hits me. But at the same time I’m just trying to prepare for the next game. Me too [can’t] get too caught up right now.
“It’s a balance. Obviously, just knowing where I come from and being here is a blessing. This is a dream come true. It’s like I’m from St. Louis, I’m in the finals, it’s not like that. don’t get better than that. “
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