Jayson Tatum’s Redemption and the Celtics’ Ugly Win
Jayson Tatum’s clutch performance saved the Boston Celtics in a an ugly (gritty?) win over the Toronto Raptors. It wasn’t the prettiest game, but sometimes that’s just how it goes. Tatum had two chances to seal the deal—one in regulation and one in overtime. The first attempt was a disaster, missing a wide-open shot that didn’t even touch the rim. But in overtime, he redeemed himself with a deep three-pointer at the buzzer.
Initially, the plan was to get the ball to Jaylen Brown for the final shot. The team had set up a play for Brown, but he got fouled (it wasn’t called), and the play broke down. That’s when Tatum took over, and I’m glad he did. If Brown had hit the game-winner, the media would have been all over the “Jayson vs. Jaylen” narrative, which is the last thing the team needs. Tatum’s shot not only won the game but also kept the focus on the team’s collective effort rather than individual rivalries.
The Importance of Team Dynamics
The Celtics are too talented to rely solely on Tatum for last-second heroics. Brown is a phenomenal player, and there are nights when he could easily be the go-to guy. The team also has other reliable options like Al Horford and Derrick White. It’s crucial to run plays that involve multiple players, keeping the defense guessing and creating better scoring opportunities.
Winning ugly might be part of the Celtics’ journey this season. It’s not ideal, but it’s something we might have to accept for now. The team is dealing with injuries and adjusting to new dynamics, which can affect their performance. However, the ability to grind out wins, even when things aren’t going smoothly, is a testament to their resilience.
Looking Ahead
The Celtics’ victory over the Raptors wasn’t just about Tatum’s redemption; it was a lesson in teamwork and adaptability. The team needs to continue exploring different strategies and involving more players in crucial moments. This approach not only keeps opponents on their toes but also strengthens the team’s chemistry.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Celtics’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Celtics podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Celtics Podcast:
- Al Horford’s crucial role in the fourth quarter
- Jaylen Brown’s performance and potential areas for improvement
- The Celtics’ defensive challenges and how they can address them
Postgame Quotes Of Note:
“It’s a new season. It’s a new thing. You’re always on a different path ... I like the mentality that we’ve had throughout the season. We had a great practice yesterday. We’re competing. We’re just not executing. So when you can win and still be in games, even though you’re not at your best, that gives you the mindset of like, ‘hey, we can get better.’ The guys have that, and we just got to continue to work through it.” - Joe Mazzulla on the team fighting through tough games for wins.
“It’s us versus us. It’s about just being a better version of ourselves, coming to play, not going through the motions, being physical on every catch, owning your space, just not skipping over the details. I think that’s just the challenge. The details of the game make the biggest difference, the smallest things. And we’ve really gotta continue to focus on those if we want to be a good team.” - Jaylen Brown on the challenges of a new season
“I got a lot of problems in life, confidence has never been one of them. I’ve worked too hard at my craft and played too much basketball to ever doubt the next shot, whether it’s an in-and-out miss or whether I miss the entire rim, I know what I’m capable of and you always believe that the next one is going in.” - Jayson Tatum on staying confident after missing the regulation buzzer-beater
“It’s the way that I feel like the league is going and we have a lot of shooters and that’s kind of what we do. So, yeah, that is an adjustment. That is an adjustment but we’re 14 games in. We’ll see if we keep at this pace. I think we will. We got shooters, so we’re gonna continue to shoot them up.” - Al Horford on Boston’s 3-point shooting
