Jayson Tatum’s NBA career has been marked by a constant flurry of discussion and debate. Breaking onto the court at just 19, he quickly found himself toggling between praise and criticism in the public eye. Leading the Boston Celtics to a title in June silenced some of the doubt around his abilities, but the conversation quickly reignited when he was relegated to the bench in Team USA’s Olympic opener against Serbia.
Despite the controversy, Tatum managed to maintain a positive attitude. He acknowledged that not playing was a challenge, but didn’t let it affect his demeanor. The decisions around his playing time were chalked up to Team USA head coach Steve Kerr’s strategy against Serbia’s large roster. Nevertheless, Tatum’s teammate Jrue Holiday expressed the belief that the situation was blown out of proportion by the media.
Adding to Tatum woes’ was an unexpected dip in his shooting performance. Despite lighting up the second half of the regular season, he entered into a cold streak that lasted through the playoffs and his tenure with Team USA. Regardless, he remained undeterred and stated that he hasn’t lost confidence in his shot.
Beyond basketball, Tatum has been enjoying a successful summer off the court. He’s been named the NBA 2K25 cover athlete, signed the largest contract extension in NBA history, and has a children’s book set for release in September. Furthermore, he’s using the slower pace to spend quality time with his six-year-old son, Deuce, who is beginning to grasp the magnitude of his father’s career.
With his son headed back to school, Tatum will soon turn his focus back to the court. Drawing from the lessons of the past season, he is intent on maintaining a sense of urgency and avoiding complacency. Having finally achieved championship status, the goal is now to ensure the celebration doesn’t impede the team’s progress.
Despite the ups and downs of the summer, Tatum maintains an optimistic outlook. Even the benching during the Olympics, while humbling, is being viewed as a potentially beneficial experience in the long run. As Tatum continues to navigate his career, he remains an unwavering trooper, committed to turning every setback into a step forward.
