Moments removed from the season-saving fourth quarter — trying to make sense of it all after a woeful start and stunning finish — Jason Tatum answered a question from ESPN’s Cassidy Hobarth with a refreshing mix of honesty and bravado.
Hubbard asked, “How would you describe the confidence you had to have in yourself this whole time?”
“I am, in all humility, one of the best basketball players in the world,” said Tatum. “Go through the struggles. Go through the depression. It’s the long game.”
Tatum started Game 6 going 0-for-11 from the ground and didn’t make his first field goal until the 8:34 mark in the third quarter. He showed signs of life in the third and broke out at 16 on a break of the fourth, edging out 76ers himself and desires Celtics to a 95-86 win on the road.
He finished 5-for-21 with four turnovers, but the fourth quarter may have been one of the most important periods of his career. Tatum continued to trust his work and bury the pivot, 3 clutch when it mattered most.
“It was his time,” the Celtics coach said Joe Mazola said. “He has delivered.”
Tatum has had a cold snap before, but that was it cold cold. Despite his weak shot, he bounced, found his teammates and played aggressively from both ends, but had serious trouble getting the ball into the basket.
It seemed like a strange, slow and awkward step at times. On one play, he beat his man off the dribble and blew up an uncontested layup while billowing at the cameras. On the other hand, he started trying to go 3 with his hand in his face, then he thought better of it, hung in the air and turned the ball over.
Fans wanted him benched, duct taped to his seat, and then traded to Dennis Schroeder, Daniel Theiss, and a 2028 third-stringer after the hour. They thought the season was over. They thought it was over.
He had just started.
“I’ve played a lot of games,” Tatum said. “I know it’s not just about scoring. In that moment, you’re still aggressive, play right. I kept looking at the time. I kept telling myself, ‘I have time to make a difference.’ And I believe in that.”
It was his heroics that put the Celtics over the top, but those around him helped guide him to the promised land. Jaylen Brown mention it All the way so you don’t have to worry and the product doesn’t have to be perfect.
Mazzola credited Tatum for continuing to play the right way even during the off-season and not letting one shot affect another. During a timeout late in the fourth, Mazallah pulled him aside and told him, “I love you.”
“It’s not hard to keep shooting when you’re missing,” Mazzola said. “It’s hard to forget a mistake and play in defence. That’s what I’m most proud of tonight.”
“The standard that has been set for him to where if he doesn’t score, he doesn’t play basketball well is wrong.”
Joe Mazzola on Jason Tatum affects the Celtics on a tough shooting night pic.twitter.com/DQbMbkTYOD
– Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (NBCSCeltics) May 12, 2023
Four free throws helped him go early in the fourth. He made one last silly play. When he obviously fouled Tyrese Maxey, but he didn’t think about it either.
One hit a 3, then another 39 seconds, then another one two minutes later, and the last muffler a bit late for good measure. Four free throws, four 3’s, and four more basketball quarters.
“I feel he deserves it.” said Robert Williams. “He was playing the game the right way the whole time. Malcolm (Brogdon) and I went up to him and told him, ‘You play the right game, you play with your teammates, and the game will reward you in the end.’”
“Malcolm and I went up to him and told him, ‘You’re playing the game the right way.’”
Rob Williams on JT pic.twitter.com/Oa7ZMEkLgR
– Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (NBCSCeltics) May 12, 2023
“All it took was one,” said Tatum, praising his teammates for keeping his mind straight.
“It’s hard to believe someone when they only make one shot,” Tatum said. “But I know my comrades believe in me until the clock strikes zero.”
Was it his best game ever? no. his most efficient? Not even close. most dominant? never. But it may have been the most mature game of his career.
He remained patient, kept grinding, and then got hot at the right moment. That was enough to keep the Celtics’ season alive.