Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum’s past has prepared him for the present

Through 32 games played in 2020-21, the Boston Celtics have perhaps played themselves into being considered the most disappointing team thus far into the season.

After dropping their third consecutive game Wednesday night, the shamrocks are now just 5-9 in their last 14 outings and are 15-17 on the season.

Now, as they approach the midway point of the campaign, Boston will likely be setting their sights on the future and, more specifically, what they can do to make the second half of their schedule better than their first.

Jayson Tatum unfazed by the pressures that come with playing for the Boston Celtics

After making it to within just two games of reaching the NBA Finals just last season, the Boston Celtics came into the year with high expectations and, to this point, have not lived up to them.

To some, this current predicament of now trying to play catchup may instill a lofty amount of pressure in an individual, especially one playing for an organization known for such success as the Cs.

Franchise cornerstone Jayson Tatum, however, seems cool, calm, and collected despite the team’s current hardships.

Though already reletively noticeable in his on-court production, where he’s posting averages of 25.6 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and a half block per game on 44 percent shooting from the floor and 37 percent shooting from deep, in a recent sitdown with the Houdini, the All-Star forward stated that he feels no added pressure, citing the fact that his collegiate days helped mold him for the position he currently holds as face of the Celtics franchise:

"“For me, going to Duke, I think that really prepared me a lot, you know”, Tatum said. “We were on TV all the time. Duke is known as one of the best, I think the best program in college basketball. The many expectations that we had there, I think that really helped me take that next step and, playing for the Celtics, obviously a lot of expectations being here in Boston. A lot of national media attention that we get and playing on TV all the time, so I don’t look at it as pressure. This is where you want to be. You want to be somewhere where they expect you to win.”"

Despite Boston’s lackluster first half, the fan base still believes this team can turn things around come year’s end and get back to the upper echelon of the league’s best teams. Be it through trades or the open market, this team will continue to look to get better.

Though things may seem bleak, with Jayson Tatum in tow, his team always has a chance.

He’s used to the expectations.